I'm going a different direction with my blog. With Peter Tom Willis handling the weekly post-game columns, there isn't a need for me to write a detailed post-game analysis. That being said, there are still times I like to chip in a random thought or two on various issues surrounding the program. You probably won't get too many long drawn out breakdowns of a game or an issue, but instead the new blog will consist of a few thoughts on some hot topics. I've been posting some of this stuff recently on the message boards but noticed that a lot of people miss my comments or my post scrolls of the board too quickly.
Anyway, let's give this new and hopefully improved blog a shot.
Entry: 10/13 - How good is FSU?
For the angry vocal minority I referenced in my blog a couple weeks ago where are you now?
To refresh your memory, there were a few fans that went way overboard on the Warchant.com message boards following the disappointing loss to Wake Forest. Some said they were giving up on FSU, selling their tickets and insisted that FSU made a huge mistake pinning its future hopes on Jimbo Fisher. It's too early to say that the 'Noles have definitely turned it around, but nobody can deny that the whole team has made significant strides since the September 20th meltdown against the Deacons.
I'm sure we won't be hearing from this vocal minority until the next time FSU loses a game when I'm sure they will be out for blood again. But that's a given; what isn't a given is now that FSU has rattled off a couple quality wins have they finally turned some proverbial corner that we've all been waiting on for years?
We probably won't know the answer until late this year but the signs are certainly encouraging.
Say what you want about FSU's first couple games against bottom-dweller opponents, the truth is in the numbers - FSU has made significant improvements in several key areas since last season.
Take a look at a few key stat differences between 2007 and 2008:
* Rushing offense: 2007 (127.46 yards per game) / 2008 (231.60 yards per game) = an improvement of 104.14 yards per game.
* Total defense: 2007 (362 yards a game) / 2008 (230 yards a game) = an improvement of 132 yards per game.
* Third down conversions: 2007 (32.2%) / 2008 (51.6%) = a 61% improvement.
* Third down defense: 2007 (33.8%) / 2008 (19.4%) = 74% improvement.
* Red-zone scores/TDs: 2007 (81%/44%) / 2008 (91%/63.6%) = 13%/45% improvement.
* Sacks per game: 2007 (2.31) / 2008 (3.0) = an improvement of .69 sacks per game.
If you were to just look at the ACC statistical rankings, you would think FSU is running away with the conference. The 'Noles rank 1st in nine different categories including total offense and total defense.
While most of the major statistical categories show evidence of a major upgrade from last season, there are a couple negatives that are probably a function of having such a young team.
* Turnover margin: 2007 (+0.46 per game) / 2008 (-1.00 per game) = 1.46 turnover margin difference per game.
* Penalties per game: 2007 (8.3 per game / 66.9 yards) / 2008 (9.8 per game/90 yards) = 1.5 more penalties for 20.1 yards a game.
Numbers can be deceiving but it's hard to deny that the 2008 Seminoles have made significant strides since last year's 7-6 team. But because most of the team is so young (only five senior starters) there are bound to be significant highs and lows. But look at it this way, if FSU wins as expected this Thursday all they have to do is go .500 the rest of the way to get 8 regular season wins (9 with a bowl game win). Prior to the start of the season, most fans felt that 8 or 9 wins would be a pretty good season considering the early suspensions and FSU's relative youth. But were things go a little better than .500 the rest of the way then this truly could be the long awaited turnaround season.
