TALLAHASSEE — The biggest questions for Florida State are intangibles: Is coach Mike Norvell’s voice still resonating with players? Are the Seminoles’ leaders still holding teammates accountable?
FSU (3-4, 0-4 ACC) comes off its second bye in desperate need of a win — for the players, program and to affirm Norvell’s job status. It’s not the type of desperation Norvell spoke of throughout the offseason, one where he wanted players to train, prepare and practice to be “desperate to have an edge” as he frequently stated.
After four straight losses, fans will see not just what personnel or scheme adjustments have been made but where is the Seminoles’ mindset. And what leadership or accountability is present is among the major storylines Saturday.
“It’s about trying to go and push and to make the difference through your work, you pour into others, you try to be the example, you try to encourage guys that might be at different places with where they are in performance or feelings or just overall emotions,” Norvell said. “That’s what I’m looking for from leaders.”
As FSU prepares for Wake Forest (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network), here are three pressing questions:
Will Castellanos be good to play?
The bye week came at a good time to heal. That was especially the case for quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who left the Stanford game with what appeared to be a concussion.
“Tommy probably would not have been able to play if we had to play last week but saw some real progress towards the end of the week off,” Norvell said. “We tried to be real careful with him just as we went about it.”
Norvell will update Castellanos’ status on Thursday night’s injury report. If he can’t go, FSU could turn to true freshman Kevin Sperry.
How is Wake a touchdown underdog?
Wake lost at home to Georgia Tech 30-29 in overtime but has since been very impressive in winning at Virginia Tech, at Oregon State and knocking off SMU 13-12 with a last-moment 50-yard field-goal attempt. Yet Wake is a touchdown underdog against struggling FSU.
The Seminoles have had a problem sizing up the opponent and as a consequence losing to Pittsburgh and Stanford. But Wake is 26th in the FBS in scoring defense (18.9 points). A key matchup: FSU’s No. 6 rush offense in the FBS (254.3 yards) vs. Wake’s 49th-ranked rush defense (131.6).
Given FSU’s struggles and Wake’s recent run, this should be a close game late and the Deacons could upset the Seminoles.
Could the new football building give players a boost?
FSU’s off-field staff moved the team into the new $138 million football operations building, which is adjacent to the team’s practice fields and indoor practice field. The dream is now a reality.
“We are extremely lucky to be the group that got to move into that building,” said offensive lineman Richie Leonard, a Cocoa native. “I know it’s been in the works for a while. I remember being in the 10th grade, coming on a visit and they were talking about building it. It makes our day to day so much better. It just streamlines everything.”
The investment in the players isn’t lost on them. And it could make an impact on FSU’s final five games.
“We’re extremely grateful for it,” defensive back KJ Kirkland said. “If anything, it makes us go harder. We know the guys that came in before us, they paved the way for us, they allowed us to get this new facility.”