| 08 October 2011
Coming off of a bye week – the last thing you expected from this team, this coaching staff, in 2011 was to be unprepared. FSU clearly was not and dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC at the hands of Wake Forest 35-30.
Clint Trickett got the nod at starting QB for the Seminoles, so the thought was EJ Manuel was not, yet, ready to come back. Following an opening drive by Wake Forest that was stalled, the wheels came off for FSU before they ever got started. Trickett threw an ill-advised interception on an out-route – and he never looked comfortable, as he did versus Clemson two weeks prior.
Following Clint Trickett’s second interception, late in the second quarter, E.J Manuel would come on with 1:48 left. E.J would lead FSU on a 6 play 88 yard drive touchdown making the halftime score 16-14 but the question that will linger around Tallahassee will remain – If E.J was able to play all along, why didn’t he?
With momentum on the side of the Seminoles coming into the second half – all of that was taken away with FSU’s two opening drives that went for negative 22 yards, including a safety and a punt. Wake Forest would never look back.
If you are the superior team, if you have superior coaches, you do not rely on a late rally to beat a team like Wake Forest. With that being said, you have to give credit where credit is due. Not only did Wake Forest come out with a solid game plan, they out-coached and out-executed the Seminoles all day long.
Wake Forest QB Taylor Price was 21-of-35 for 233 yards and 3 TDs, while Josh Harris found holes on a tired FSU defense rushing for 136 yards on 13 carries.
E.J Manuel, who probably was not truly expecting to play today, looked rusty and never got into the rhythm needed to win the game.
The problems for the Seminoles now move forward. FSU saw early success rushing the ball for the first time all season, but had to abandon it and play from behind. FSU gathered 110 yards on the ground, while Wake went for 128.
The list of failures compounded today and now you can include coaching, QB play, and defense to the already mounting interior offensive line woes and running game.
FSU still had a prayer at going to Charlotte for the ACC Championship coming into the game this afternoon versus Wake – now the Seminoles look to salvage their season and hope it is not 2009 revisited.
The Seminoles travel to Duke next week to face a potent Duke passing attack and will be followed by Maryland and NC State at home before going back on the road to Boston College.
At this point, all bets are off and the faithful Seminole fans have due reason to ask questions of this team, this coaching staff, and the direction of the football program in general.
Jimbo Fisher is now 12-7 at FSU with wins over Samford, Charleston-Southern, and Louisiana-Monroe.
The time for questions to be asked, is now. FSU fans need answers.
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