Kirk Herbstreit expresses concern in Florida State after loss to Miami

Miami handed Florida State its second straight loss in Week 6, defeating the Seminoles 28-22 in a rivalry showdown. What once looked like a potential playoff campaign has quickly unraveled, as FSU’s early-season momentum has been replaced by inconsistency and concern.

The Seminoles entered the season riding high after a statement win over Alabama, a victory that reignited national title hopes in Tallahassee. But since then, things have gone sideways.

A stunning overtime loss to Virginia was followed by a physical, frustrating defeat at the hands of Miami. Despite a furious 19-point fourth-quarter rally, Florida State came up short once again.

Following the loss, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit voiced his concern about the team’s direction. He questioned how the Seminoles would respond with their confidence shaken.

“I’m concerned with Florida State after these two losses, because I really wonder how they’re going to respond,” Herbstreit said, via Nonstop. “A team that had such huge goals and excitement after beating Alabama. Lose in a surprising fashion in Virginia. Lose a rivalry game to Miami. Now, you get an early kick against Pittsburgh. You better show up, because Pat Narduzzi will definitely bring an attitude and a team with a chip on their shoulder to Tallahassee. You do not want to lose three in a row.”

Herbstreit’s co-host Joey Galloway echoed those worries, suggesting that opposing defenses may be starting to figure out Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos. The transfer quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance, but his reliance on improvisation has also created problems for the offense at times.

“When you’re an off-schedule quarterback — and Cam Ward dealt with a little bit of this last season — and you get off schedule a lot, running around a lot, at times it gets you in trouble,” Galloway explained. “It throws off your offensive flow. Right now, offensively, they don’t look like the same team we watched beat Alabama.”

Herbstreit agreed, pointing out that head coach Gus Malzahn’s offense struggles when forced into predictable passing situations: “I’ll add to that — Gus Malzahn historically, if you get him in second-and-nine or third-and-seven, or you get him behind like Miami did, 28-3 and in obvious passing situations, they’re in trouble,” Herbstreit said.

“That’ll be the key for Tommy Castellanos against Pittsburgh. He needs to stay out of those third-and-obvious situations where you have to throw.”

Florida State will have a chance to regroup when it hosts Pittsburgh in Week 7. After back-to-back losses, the matchup could determine whether the Seminoles steady themselves or slide further into a season-threatening skid.