Ashlynd Barker injury update: Mike Norvell reveals latest on Florida State DB's status vs. Pittsburgh

After missing No. 18 Florida State‘s 28-22 loss to in-state rival No. 3 Miami last Saturday, junior defensive back Ashlynd Barker is ‘trending the right way’ to play in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh. The Seminoles are riding a two-game losing streak and will look to break that this weekend in Tallahassee.

Barker played in the first four games of the season for the ‘Noles, where he recorded 10 tackles and two pass deflections. The Florida State defense, which is allowing 304.4 YPG (4th in ACC) and 20.8 PPG (4th in ACC) this season, would certainly welcome his return this weekend.

“With Ash, I think we’re trending the right way,” head coach Mike Norvell said on Wednesday. “It’s really probably going to be more of a game-time decision. But he’s gotten practice the last two days, which was a necessity to have a chance. He’s trending the right way. Ash brings a great deal of physicality and speed.”

“He was somebody who was playing at a high level within the secondary and I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to get another playmaker back there to elevate that expectation for what we need to do. He’s played really well this year and we’re excited to get him back.”

Over his three seasons with the program, Barker boasts 43 tackles, three sacks, two pass deflections and one interception.

Mike Norvell remains confident in his team despite skid

Florida State opened the season strong with a surprising 31-17 win over No. 8 Alabama. It then walloped East Texas A&M and Kent State to open the season with a 3-0 record, which propelled the ‘Noles to a No. 8 ranking. They however suffered their first loss of the season on the road at Virginia on Sept. 26, before falling to the No. 3 ranked Hurricanes last weekend.

“I don’t worry about confidence because I’m in there with the guys and I hear and I see and they understand these are the things that ultimately we control,” Norvell said on Tuesday. “Now, there’s times that if you just line up and, man, everything is your best and you just — I’ve been a part of that. There was part of that at times last year. That tests your confidence.”

“But for us in the situation that we’re in, it’s disappointing because there are controllable factors that we need to be better at. It’s our job as coaches, it’s our job as players. You see it, you hold it accountable. The players holding themselves accountable to what we need to do. But man, that’s part of this game.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s game between No. 25 Florida State and Pittsburgh is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET. The game can be seen on ABC.