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Florida State heads to Miami for a rivalry matchup against the undefeated Hurricanes on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.. On this episode of On The Bench, Trey Rowland, Kolby Crawford, and John Evans break down the matchup, including Miami's explosive offense led by quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney, Florida State's defensive struggles, and the challenges Ashton Daniels will face against a talented Hurricanes defensive front. The crew also discusses the growing frustration surrounding Mike Norvell's tenure, the widening talent gap between the programs, and what another blowout loss could mean for the future of Florida State football. (0:00) – Intro (5:30) – Florida State's Offensive Challenges (8:10) – Breaking Down Miami QB Darian Mensah (16:00) – The Challenge of Covering Malachi Toney (25:50) – Miami's Defensive Front vs. FSU's Offensive Line (31:00) – Miami's Secondary and Ashton Daniels' Opportunities (34:30) – FSU vs. Miami Score Predictions (43:00) – Is This the Breaking Point for Mike Norvell? (46:00) – The Talent Gap and FSU's Recruiting Problems (49:00) – Florida State's Future and the Need for Change (54:00) – Final Thoughts and Closing

Florida State's struggles continued Friday night with another road loss, this time at Louisville. On this episode of On The Bench, Chris Nee, John Evans, and Kolby Crawford break down what went wrong against the Cardinals, including FSU's defensive collapse, offensive inconsistencies, and the inability to win away from home. The crew also looks ahead to rivalry week against Miami, where the Seminoles enter as massive underdogs. Beyond the on-field issues, the discussion turns to growing frustration surrounding Florida State's football program, questions about leadership and investment, and the lack of clarity regarding the future of FSU athletics. (0:00) - Intro (2:45) - The Fourth-and-Goal (6:10) - Searching for Positives in the Loss (10:55) - Louisville Runs All Over FSU's Defense (13:40) - Previewing the Miami Matchup (19:00) - Frustration With the Direction of the Program (25:20) - Silence Surrounding FSU's Athletic Administration (30:30) - The Standard at Florida State and What Comes Next You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State jumped out to a 14-0 lead against Louisville before everything unraveled in a 44-20 road loss. The Seminoles surrendered 397 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. On this instant reaction episode of On The Bench, the crew breaks down FSU's defensive collapse, the offensive execution issues that plagued the Seminoles, and the continued struggles under Mike Norvell. They also discuss Tony White's defensive scheme, ongoing roster concerns, and whether Florida State has answers for the remainder of the season. (0:00) - Intro(4:00) - Louisville Exposes FSU's Run Defense(8:00) - Evaluating Mike Norvell's Offensive Game Plan(12:00) - Why Does FSU Continue to Struggle on the Road?(16:00) - Assessing the Coaching Staff(22:00) - FSU's Standards, Leadership and Administration(26:00) - Final Thoughts and What's Next for FSU

Florida State heads back on the road for a Friday night matchup against Louisville, looking to build on its dominant 38-7 victory over Virginia. On this episode of On The Bench, Trey Rowland, Chris Nee, John Evans and Kolby Crawford break down the matchup between the Seminoles and Cardinals. The crew examines Louisville's explosive offense, the challenges Jeff Brohm's scheme presents for FSU's defense, and the vulnerabilities in Louisville's struggling secondary. On the other side of the ball, the guys discuss how Ashton Daniels and Florida State's offense can exploit Louisville's defense, the importance of establishing the run, and the potential impact of the Cardinals' pass rush. The crew wraps up with keys to the game and score predictions. (0:00) - Intro (6:30) - Can FSU Build on Its Win Over Virginia? (12:30) - Louisville's Dangerous Running Backs (16:30) - Louisville's Receiving Threats (18:30) - How FSU Can Slow Down Jeff Brohm's Offense (23:30) - Breaking Down Louisville's Defense (30:30) - FSU's Passing Game Against Louisville's Secondary (41:00) - FSU-Louisville Score Predictions (48:30) - Final Thoughts and Keys to Victory You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State responded in a major way Saturday, overcoming a slow start before scoring 38 unanswered points in a blowout of Virginia. On this episode of On The Bench, the guys discuss Mike Norvell's comments following the win, whether Saturday's performance can become a turning point for the Seminoles, and what stood out on both sides of the ball. The discussion dives into FSU's dominant defensive performance, including 10 sacks and major improvement from the linebackers, while also breaking down Ashton Daniels, the Seminoles' playmakers and an efficient offensive attack. The guys then turn their attention to Friday night's road matchup against Louisville and what FSU must do to show the Virginia performance wasn't a one-off. Plus, they wrap up with recruiting notes following a productive visitor weekend in Tallahassee. (0:00) - Intro(4:43) - Breaking Down FSU's 38-7 Win Over Virginia(7:54) - Defensive Adjustments & a Dominant Pass Rush(13:41) - Breaking Down Florida State's Offense(19:20) - Ashton Daniels and FSU's Offensive Playmakers(26:14) - Can Florida State Finally Find Consistency?(29:31) - Early Look at Louisville(34:58) - Recruiting Notes From the Virginia Weekend(41:32) - Final Thoughts Before Turning to Louisville You can subscribe to On The Bench, X's and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State delivered its most complete performance of the season, dominating Virginia for a 38-7 win. The guys break down FSU’s offensive production and the performance of a defensive front that produced 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. They also discuss what this win says about Mike Norvell’s team, and the bigger question facing Florida State: can the Seminoles build on this performance on a short week at Louisville? (0:00) - Intro(5:05) - FSU Finally Puts Everything Together(8:12) - Ashton Daniels’ Day & FSU’s Offense(16:59) - Florida State’s Defense Dominates With 10 Sacks(21:12) - What Does This Win Mean for Mike Norvell?(30:01) - Final Takeaways From FSU’s Dominant Win

Florida State is back at home for the second straight weekend for a pivotal matchup against Virginia. The On The Bench crew breaks down Virginia’s veteran offensive line, physical rushing attack and efficient offense, while examining how FSU can create explosive plays and take advantage of opportunities against the Cavaliers’ defense. The guys discuss the importance of establishing the run with Ousmane Kromah, getting Ashton Daniels involved on the ground, and forcing Virginia out of its preferred game script. They also dive into FSU’s defensive concerns, recruiting ramifications surrounding the program, visitors expected in Tallahassee and how another loss could impact the Seminoles’ class. The episode closes with score predictions. (0:00) - Intro (5:00) - How FSU Can Attack Virginia (9:27) - Virginia’s Running Game and Offensive Identity (14:59) - Virginia’s Offensive Line vs. FSU’s Defensive Front (20:00) - Virginia’s Offensive Playmakers (24:22) - Breaking Down Virginia’s Defense (36:00) - The Importance of Playing a Clean Game (39:37) - Recruiting and Weekend Visitors (48:35) - Score Predictions and Final Thoughts You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State improved to 2-2 with a 34-7 win over Central Arkansas this past Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. The On The Bench crew breaks down the performance against the Bears, the defense's struggles getting off the field, and which younger players made the most of their opportunities. The guys turn their attention to Virginia as the Seminoles prepare to begin a critical stretch of ACC play. We break down the Cavaliers' experienced offense, rushing attack, and the matchups that could decide Saturday's game. We also discuss what the upcoming month could mean for Mike Norvell's future and the ongoing athletic director search. (0:00) - Intro(5:01) - Did FSU Do Enough Against UCA?(10:00) - Players Who Stood Out Against Central Arkansas(15:46) - Turning the Page to Virginia(17:24) - Breaking Down Virginia's Offense(21:55) - How FSU's Offense Matches Up With Virginia(27:01) - The Biggest Concern for FSU Against Virginia(31:00) - A Crucial October Begins for Florida State(35:59) - FSU's Athletic Director and Coaching Timeline(41:59) - Recruiting Update You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State improved to 2-2 with a 34-7 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles gained 417 total yards and allowed 248. Offensively, FSU had 238 passing yards and 179 rushing yards. UCA threw for 138 yards and ran for 110 yards. Ashton Daniels was 12-18 for 224 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Jayvan Boggs had six catches for 122 yards and one touchdown. Ousmane Kromah ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts. The X's and Noles crew provides their instant thoughts on Florida State's win over Central Arkansas. (0:00) - Intro(1:43) - Concerns With FSU’s Defensive Performance(5:13) - Bigger-Picture Thoughts on Mike Norvell and FSU(7:08) - Backup Quarterback Debate: Sperry vs. Marshall(10:16) - Breaking Down FSU’s Offensive Performance(12:47) - Defensive Struggles and Communication Issues(16:01) - Positives From the Win(19:14) - Looking Ahead to a Pivotal Virginia Game You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

This week's second episode of On The Bench features a wide-ranging FSU mailbag. The guys answers questions from the listeners about the latest on Florida State's athletic director search, what a new leadership structure could look like, and how Mike Norvell's future could factor into the process. The conversation also focuses on Tony White's struggling defense, the possibility of Jimbo Fisher returning, and a rundown of potential head coaching candidates. The group also examine Florida State's roster construction and why the Seminoles continue to have personnel issues. The episode wraps up with a look at Luke Loucks' aggressive approach to building FSU basketball. (0:00) - Intro(1:49) - Latest on FSU's AD Search and Athletic Department Structure(10:45) - Mike Norvell or Tony White: Who Goes First?(16:39) - Is a Jimbo Fisher Return Actually Possible?(22:13) - Breaking Down Potential FSU Head Coaching Candidates(33:18) - Who Would Be the Ideal Next Head Coach?(41:40) - FSU's Best and Worst Roster Values(50:34) - FSU's Biggest Roster Construction Problems(57:22) - Adding Legends From FSU's National Championship Teams(1:09:47) - FSU Basketball, Luke Loucks, and the Future of the Tucker Center You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State fell to 1-2 after a 50-36 loss at Alabama despite jumping out to a strong start and producing its best offensive performance of the season. The On The Bench trio of Chris Nee, John Evans, and Kolby Crawford break down why FSU's defense struggled to slow the Crimson Tide's offense and whether the problems are rooted more in personnel or coaching.  The discussion also covers encouraging signs from the offense and Sam Singleton's injury. The guys looked ahead at the remaining schedule and close with the latest on recruiting and the athletic director search. (0:00) - Intro(6:24) - What’s Wrong With FSU’s Defense: Coaching or Personnel?(12:53) - Ashton Daniels and the Offense Show Improvement(22:32) - Quarter-Season Check-In: Where Does FSU Stand?(28:00) - Breaking Down the Rest of FSU’s Schedule(38:01) - What Should FSU’s Defensive Front Look Like?(40:40) - Recruiting Updates(43:46) - Latest on FSU’s Athletic Director Search(46:07) - Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State suffered its 10th straight road loss in a 50-36 defeat at No. 10 Alabama on Saturday evening. For FSU, Ashton Daniels finished 17-of-29 for 377 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and three interceptions. He had 13 rushes for seven yards and a pair of touchdowns. Duce Robinson had six receptions on eight targets for 135 yards and a score. Alabama out-gained FSU, 567-to-471, on the day. Keelon Russell was 23-of-30 for 320 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while adding three rushes for 56 yards and a score. The Crimson Tide rushed for 247 yards on the day and scored three total rushing touchdowns. The X's and Noles crew gives their instant reaction to the loss with a breakdown of the game. (0:00) - Intro(4:45) - Alabama’s Talent Advantage Takes Over(9:23) - Is Tony White’s Job in Jeopardy?(12:53) - Breaking Down FSU’s Offensive Game Plan(17:04) - FSU Had Chances, But Couldn’t Finish(21:10) - FSU Defense Gets Gashed(27:48) - What Positives Can FSU Take From Alabama?(33:00) - Can FSU Keep Fighting Through the Season?(35:02) - Looking Ahead to Central Arkansas and Virginia You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State returns from the bye week with a massive challenge on the road against No. 10 Alabama. The guys break down how the Crimson Tide have changed since FSU's upset win last season and what Ashton Daniels and the Seminoles' offense must do to have a chance in Tuscaloosa. Plus, we give our score predictions and examine what Saturday's result could mean for Mike Norvell as pressure continues to build around the program. (0:00) - Intro(5:20) - Florida State’s Mindset Entering Tuscaloosa(10:17) - Ashton Daniels and the Offense(13:44) - Key Matchups(24:05) - Breaking Down Alabama’s Defense(31:21) - Path to an Upset(43:30) - Score Predictions(55:20) - What this game means for Mike Norvell(1:04:48) - Final Thoughts You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Florida State decided to fire Athletic Director Michael Alford on Monday morning, and the On The Bench crew of Chris Nee, Kolby Crawford, and John Evans break down why the move happened and what comes next for FSU. Brendan Sonnone and Zach Blostein also joined the conversation. The guys discuss the decisions that led Florida State to this point, including roster spending, NIL strategy, the delayed construction of the football front office, and organizational misalignment. They also examine President Richard McCullough’s comments and what they could signal about a more business and revenue-focused approach for FSU’s next athletic director. (0:00) - Intro (2:12) - Why Florida State Fired Michael Alford (9:03) - How FSU’s Athletic Department Fell Behind (22:20) - John Garrett Hire & FSU’s Front Office Problems (38:10) - What Richard McCullough’s Comments Mean (47:06) - Potential Candidates to Replace Michael Alford (55:03) - What Alford’s Firing Means for Mike Norvell (1:08:32) - FSU’s Roster Spending & Construction Problems (1:13:58) - Most Important Trait for FSU’s Next AD (1:20:30) - Potential Candidates to Replace Mike Norvell (1:27:09) - Final Thoughts You can subscribe to On The Bench, X’s and Noles, and Beyond The Bench on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. As always, five-star reviews and comments on Apple Podcasts are appreciated! Also, you can watch the show on YouTube now. We'll do live streams as well, and you can get notifications on when we're live by subscribing to our YouTube channel.