1. FSU and national statistics - week two
With the season only two weeks old and FSU facing a couple of sub-par opponents, it's tough to draw any hard conclusions as to where the 'Noles stack up against other FBS teams. However, some basic trends, strengths and weaknesses are beginning to emerge when you compare FSU's statistics against the rest of the teams in the FBS. With that in mind, here's a rundown of where FSU stands in the national rankings in week two.
OFFENSE:
Total Offense - 538.5 ypg, No. 16 ranking / Last season: 441.4, No. 35 ranking
Rushing Offense - 272 ypg, No 17 ranking / Last season: 138.1, No. 95*
* FSU is averaging nearly double its rushing yards compared to last year and is averaging two more yards per carry. While it's unlikely that these gaudy rushing stats will continue throughout the season, it certainly looks like FSU's ground game will be significantly improved over last season.
Passing Offense - 266.5 ypg, No. 44 ranking / Last season: 303.3, No. 14
Team Passing Efficiency - No. 12 ranking / Last season: No. 31
* Not surprising that the passing numbers were greater last season under Jameis Winston, but pass efficiency is better in large part due to the lack of turnovers so far.
Scoring Offense - 46.5 ppg, No. 16 ranking / Last season: 33.7 ppg, No. 33
Red Zone Offense - 100%, No. 1 (tied) / Last season: 75%, No. 8
DEFENSE
Total Defense - 287 ypg, No. 35 ranking / Last season: 397 ypg, No. 61
Rush Defense - 140.5 ypg, No. 63 ranking / Last season: 170 ypg, No. 71
Team Pass Efficiency Defense - No. 39 ranking / Last season: No. 66
Scoring Defense - 15 ppg, No. 29 ranking / Last season: 25.6 ppg, No. 49
Third Down Conv. Defense - 16.7%, No. 8 ranking / Last season: 43.9%, No. 103
Red Zone Defense - 80%, No. 51 ranking / Last season: 75%, No. 19
* While most of the statistics are better, it's TBA when it comes to the defense at this stage. The level of competition hasn't been stellar so it may take a few more weeks before we know how improved this defense is. However, the dramatic improvement in third-down defense is significant.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Net Punting - 33.7 yards, No. 100 ranking / Last season: 38.3 yards, No. 45
Punt Returns - 5.5 ypr, No. 83 ranking / Last season: 10.5 ypr, No. 23
Kickoff Returns - 36.6 ypr, No. 6 ranking / Last season: 19.8 ypr, No. 87
* It's no surprise that net punting is ranked in the bottom quarter of all FBS teams. The early punt returns numbers are probably a bit off due to a couple muffed returns vs. Texas State and a couple penalties in the USF game. What is significant is the dramatic improvement in kickoff returns, something Jimbo Fisher stressed during preseason practices.
OTHER
Turnover Margin - 0.5, No. 40 ranking / Last season: -.43 / No. 101
* The good news for FSU is that it has only committed one turnover in two games (on a punt return). The bad news is FSU has forced just two turnovers in two games vs. substandard competition.
2. Right, Left, Middle
In week one versus Texas State, Florida State put up some very unbalanced rushing statistics. All in all, 78 percent of the Seminoles' rushing yards came on plays that went to the left behind All-America tackle Roderick Johnson and physical guard Kareem Are.
The results were a bit more balanced versus South Florida this past Saturday.
During Dalvin Cook's record-setting day, Florida State racked up 278 total rushing yards. Based on true rushing plays (not scrambles or sacks), FSU's rushing numbers break down as follows:
- Right - 164 yards on 12 carries, good for 13.7 yards per rush. *74 of the yards came on Dalvin Cook's big run in the first quarter.
- Left - 90 yards on 12 carries, good for 7.5 yards per rush.
- Middle - 43 yards on 15 carries.
Based on the first two games, FSU is close to being balanced when it comes to success running to the left and right. There hasn't been a ton of success on runs up the middle -- 58 yards on 20 carries (2.9 per rush). But keep in mind that those runs to the middle keep the defense honest and allows the big runs to break to the outside.
3. Tale of two halves
The trend of Florida State's early struggles continued again on Saturday against USF. The 'Noles went into the locker room tied at 7-7 but could have easily trailed had it not been for a couple of big defensive stops and an interception by Marquez White in the end zone.
As was the case several times last season, FSU stormed back in the second half and took control of the game. After suffering through five three-and-outs through the first eight drives, the Seminole offense was a perfect five-for-five in the second half (3 TDs, 2 FGs). Through two games, FSU is now 10-for-10 on scoring drives in the second half. In the first half, FSU has scored on just 4-for-14 offensive drives (28.6%).
Saturday marked the eighth time FSU has trailed or been tied at halftime going back to the national championship game in January of 2014. During this 16-game period, 50 percent of the time FSU has been forced to rally in the second half, and the 'Noles have been successful on seven of eight.
4. Penalty check
Through the first two games there has been a significant disparity in penalty calls for and against Florida State. On Saturday, FSU was flagged seven times for 50 yards. Meanwhile, USF was penalized just twice, with the first not coming until late in the third quarter. The second penalty didn't come until FSU's final drive when it was running out the clock.
In week one, Texas State was flagged just once compared to five penalties for FSU.
Here's a breakdown of FSU's penalties through the first two games:
Offensive holding/illegal block (6) Izzo, Martinez, Bell, Are, Johnson, Campbell
Offensive false start (3) Ryan Izzo, Wilson Bell (2)
Special Teams holding/illegal block (1) Ramsey
Personal Fouls (1) L. Brutus
Defensive offsides (1) F. Jones
5. Early review of the ACC
After a strong finish to the 2014 season, including some signature wins by Georgia Tech and Clemson in bowl games, the ACC is off to a slow start so far in 2015.
Through the first two weeks, ACC teams are a combined 8-6 versus FBS competition. The problem has come when matching up against Power Five programs. The ACC is a combined 0-3 against Power Five teams, and 0-4 when you include Virginia's loss to Notre Dame.
With conference schedules kicking in soon, this weekend will be the last chance the ACC has to redeem itself until the end of the season. The good news is, unlike the first few non-conference matchups, the five main non-conference games this weekend are all very winnable. Here's a look at the upcoming non-conference slate:
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame, Virginia Tech at Purdue, Pittsburgh at Iowa, Nebraska at Miami, Northwestern at Duke
I've got the ACC going 4-1 these games.....
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