On The Bench: An FSU football podcast network

Our Thanksgiving edition of On The Bench is a day early so you can enjoy the bonus mailbag while traveling or entertaining or just taking the day off.  

We hopefully put the finishing touches on the FSU-Dabo debacle, go over some rumors that we’re chasing, discuss some new offers, and then take listener questions.

Check it all out in the latest episode of OTB.

Florida State didn’t play this weekend, but that doesn’t mean it was an uneventful couple of days for the Seminoles. 

Saturday’s contest against Clemson was postponed several hours before the noon kick as medical officials from both teams couldn’t agree that the game was safe to play. This came after a Clemson player who was symptomatic earlier in the week traveled with the team to Tallahassee and tested positive for COVID-19. 

And then the fireworks began. 

Clemson allowed messaging of FSU “ducking” the heavily-favored Tigers to exist throughout Saturday, and the fans were flamed on Sunday evening when coach Dabo Swinney said FSU’s administration “forfeited the game” because COVID was used as an “excuse to cancel the game.”

That’s where we dive in on On The Bench. Sonnone rants, Nee turns his attention to the ACC and Newberg provides us with some much-needed recruiting updates in the latest episode.

Florida State was competing for national championships less than a decade ago. The program has swiftly declined due to dysfunctional dynamics, mismanagement and some bad luck on various levels.

ESPN captured the years of decline in a recent article -- Inside the 6-year unraveling of Florida State football -- by Andrea Adelson and David Hale. The two authors of the story join On The Bench for an in-depth discussion on what their reporting revealed. Stories on Jimbo Fisher, Stan Wilcox, the disconnect between the boosters and more are shared in this episode.

And don’t fret, there’s some silver lining at the end.

Florida State received a one-two punch to the gut at the quarterback position. First, word came that freshman QB Chubba Purdy would miss the remainder of the season due to a complication from a collarbone injury that he suffered earlier in the year. Then a crystal ball was placed in favor of Ole Miss for QB pledge Luke Altmyer.

So one QB will lose meaningful reps the remainder of this year, and the other is still a part of the class...but is trending away from the Seminoles. 

This isn’t ideal news for FSU, but On The Bench is here to shoot you straight and let you know where the ‘Noles go from here.

Florida State has the youngest roster in the country.

Does the increased commitment to youth alter the way we perceive this team or what we should expect from it weekly? The gang at OTB debates this question. Plus we get into some developments on the Grad Transfer market.

Florida State continued further down the downward spiral of their 2020 season on Saturday evening, losing 38-22 to NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. 

The Seminoles (2-6, 1-6 ACC) have now lost three in a row.

Chubba Purdy got his first start as FSU was without Jordan Travis today. He played okay, but it was FSU's defense that didn't answer the bell. The 'Noles D gave up 422 yards, including 265 and three touchdowns to former FSU QB Bailey Hockman.

The crew at Noles247 dissects FSU's road loss to NC State.

We told you on the last episode of On The Bench that change could be coming, and change did indeed come as the Seminoles took two players off the roster this week. QB James Blackman and WR Tamorrion Terry are no longer with the program, while DT Marvin Wilson is out for the remainder of the season with a leg injury.

This brings FSU’s number of players who’ve left the team to 16-17 since Mike Norvell took over last December. We go over the attrition and what it means for the long-term future of the program in this episode of OTB.

Plus we delve into some offers to 2021 recruits and take a ton of listener questions.

Florida State’s latest loss -- a 41-17 defeat to Pittsburgh -- could spark some change along the roster as the Seminoles enter the final month of the season.

This defeat has sparked lingering frustration among some veterans who haven’t fully bought into the culture under Mike Norvell. This could lead to some more in-season roster attrition. The crew at On The Bench discusses the latest scoop from inside the FSU program in the episode below.

Florida State started hot against Pitt, jumping out to a 14-3 after an 88-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jordan Travis less than 10 minutes into the game - which marked a school-record rush by a FSU quarterback.

But then the rest of the game had to be played.

Pitt dominated FSU for the remaining three quarters of the football game, winning by a final score of 41-17. The crew at Noles247 breaks down FSU's ACC loss to Pitt and what it means for Mike Norvell and the team moving forward.

Florida State comes off a bye week looking to get back on track against Pittsburgh and stingy defense. The gang at On The Bench breaks down the upcoming contest and looks at areas where FSU can find success in order to get to 3-4 on the season.

Plus we go over the dozens of new offers FSU has extended recently and share some scoop from the past week. Oh, Newberg and Sonnone get a little irritated with one another as well, so stick around for the tension.