TALLAHASSEE — From disrespected and unranked to a top-10 team and now questioned again after a double overtime loss at Virginia, Florida State had a wild first month of the 2025 season.
Minutes after Virginia’s 46-38 double overtime win on Friday night, FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos suggested the Seminoles had been “riding high, feeling it, smelling ourselves, feeling good.” Castellanos said the loss could be good moving forward, a wake-up call as the No. 18 Seminoles prepare for No. 3 Miami on Saturday (7:30 p.m. on ABC).
“It’s been happiness camp for three weeks,” FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. “We play really good, we didn’t face any adversity. And you go on the road, you’re going to face adversity. We have 11 new starters. We got new coaches. We’re growing. The biggest thing, the positive that I took from the deal is the way we responded. We kept fighting.”
As FSU (3-1, 0-1 ACC) turns the page to Miami (4-0, 0-0), let’s take a look at three questions:
Can FSU reduce its turnovers?
FSU mostly avoided costly turnovers in its first three games, but the Seminoles had three turnovers against Virginia. Castellanos had two interceptions, a costly one early and the second on the final play of the game, and he also fumbled out of bounds at Virginia’s 1-yard line (FSU eventually scored). Running back Gavin Sawchuk also fumbled, setting up Virginia with a short field (resulting in a touchdown).
There are two ways to look at fumbles: They are the result of a physical play by the defense and often occur because an offensive player’s lack of focus in protecting the ball. Both things can be true. Castellanos also now has 22 interceptions in 25 games the past three seasons, which included 2023-24 at Boston College.
The Seminoles have been efficient and explosive but can’t afford the high volume of turnovers.
How does FSU attack Miami’s defense?
Castellanos showed poise and delivered plenty of clutch passes against Virginia, including a fourth-down touchdown throw to tight end Randy Pittman when the quarterback took a hit as he released the ball. He’s completing a career-best 64.3 percent of his throws and is more accurate on deep passes, which had been a weakness.
FSU needed to find more run-pass balance on offense. But the foundation is the run, and the Seminoles accumulated 256 yards on the ground while averaging 5.3 yards per carry at Virginia.
The Seminoles have the nation’s No. 2 rush offense (336 yards per game) and face the nation’s No. 8 rush defense (76.3 yards per game). Malzahn has put plenty on film — inside-zone runs, end arounds and jet sweeps, wildcat formations with Sawchuk and Pittman. Does he have a few more surprises?
Can FSU put pressure on Carson Beck?
Miami’s massive offensive line has mostly kept quarterback Carson Beck clean. That’s respectable, considering Notre Dame and Florida had just one sack apiece in losses at Miami. Beck is completing 73.2 percent of his passes in Miami’s hot start.
“He’s feeling very comfortable with what they’re asking him to do,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “So very accurate. Seems to know where he wants to go with the ball. He’s getting the ball out quickly and has some guys on the perimeter that are a great supporting cast for what he’s doing, leading that offense.”
FSU has produced five sacks against Alabama and Virginia, but the two vs. the Cavaliers came from safety Ashlynd Barker’s blitzes. Despite the lack of sacks, the Seminoles have been successful pressuring quarterbacks, with 72 in four games, per Pro Football Focus.
