The Chopping Block

FSU heads to Clemson as a three-touchdown plus underdog but the Tigers barely escaped their last game against UNC.

Can FSU knock off the Tigers?

We talk about what parts of the game are most important if FSU wants to pull off the big upset. 

Florida State has a two-game win streak and now a week off to prepare for a visit to No. 2 Clemson.

We discuss the QB situation for NC State, the stellar play of the defense and what the Seminoles need to work on before they head up to play the Tigers. 

Florida State hosts NC State on Saturday and is looking for a second-straight ACC win.

The Seminoles haven't announced whether James Blackman will return for this game, but we have some thoughts on it.

We also discuss the improved defense and scout NC State and what to look for this weekend.

It all seemed too familiar. Florida State had jumped out to a 21-0 advantage over Louisville only to see the Cardinals chip away and take a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter. 

Then with Louisville driving again, the defense made a big turnover and the offense drove 87 yards for a lead-changing touchdown. 

We talk about what went right in this game - Cam Akers, the passing game, defensive pressure - and we talk about what went wrong - blowing another lead, Ricky Aguayo.

All of this and more on this podcast.  

On the last podcast, we talked about some positives in Florida State's 1-2 start and expressed dismay against some of the antics from the Seminoles fans. There's been some positive push back and we discuss that.

We also look ahead to Saturday's game against Louisville and the chance to get the first conference win of the season.  

The fan base is getting restless after Florida State falls to 1-2 but it's not all doom and gloom - trust us.

We look back on the 31-24 loss to the Cavaliers and discuss a similar pattern in what went wrong - stupid penalties and mistakes in crunch time.

But we also see a Florida State team that looks better on offense and a defense that while still floundering down the stretch, has looked more solid than last season.

Agree or disagree - you'll enjoy the break down of both sides in this week's podcast. 

We break down Florida State's trip to Virginia on Saturday to play the 25th-ranked Cavaliers.

We talk about the offense's inconsistencies and wonder when the defense is going to take the big step we keep being promised.

We also look at Jim Leavitt joining the coaching staff and talk about how the players are reacting to some national comments about the team and their mental strength. 

Another frustrating performance has us wondering how this Florida State football team can be fixed. 

We break down the win and talk about some of the highs and lows and look at what can be fixed to get this Seminoles team on track to put together 60 quality minutes. 

Also we talk about the open position being advertised for on the coaching staff - and it's 100% serious. 

Florida State looks to rebound against ULM after a disappointing loss to Boise State at home last weekend.

We look at the major issues that need to be fixed including:

• The defense unable to make stops and get the other offense off the field.
• Sustaining drives on offense and 
• Making needed adjustments as the game goes on.

All of this and more on this week's episode. 

FSU beat writer Chaunte'l Powell catches up on the fall camp so far.

We look at the new attitude and mindset that is prevalent among the players as the team looks to improve cohesiveness this season.

Also discussed on this podcast are the changes on offense and defense and we look at the injury report and what we're watching over the next two-plus weeks before the Boise State game.