Analysis: After fitting end to Florida State's football season, 2023 can't come soon enough

ORLANDO – It only made sense for this Florida State football season to end in dramatic fashion.

This team certainly had a penchant for theatrics.

A four-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak, followed by a six-game winning streak only begins to explain how much the Seminoles had a rollercoaster of a season loaded with emotional moments.

Their season started with a chaotic 24-23 win over LSU in New Orleans, ending on a blocked extra point from safety Shyheim Brown. The next game, improbable late-game heroics from backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker helped give FSU a 35-31 victory at Louisville.

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And who could forget the Doak Campbell Stadium crowd storming the field after the Seminoles toppled Florida, 45-38, to finish the regular season last month?

No. 13 FSU (10-3) fittingly capped a season to remember with another thrilling win Thursday, downing Oklahoma (6-7) in the Cheez-It Bowl, 35-32, in front of a garnet-heavy Camping World Stadium crowd of 61,520.

With the victory, the Seminoles captured their first 10-win season since 2016 and 25th in program history.

“I told the team in that locker room, ‘This team will not be remembered just because of a number,’” said FSU coach Mike Norvell on winning 10 games. “It is going to be remembered by the way that they played, by the passion, by the character, by just the love that they have for each other.”

As double-digit betting favorites, the Seminoles were expected to convincingly defeat the Sooners.

Oklahoma not only had one of its worst seasons in more than two decades, finishing below .500 for the first time since 1998. But the Sooners also were without several starters, including running back Eric Gray (opt-out), left tackle Anton Harrison (opt-out), center Andrew Raym (injury), right tackle Wanya Morris (opt-out) and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (opt-out).

In the first half, though, Oklahoma led by as much as 14-3 while possessing the ball in the red zone.

“We knew that we came out a little bit flat the first half, and when we got to the second half, we made a few adjustments,” running back Treshaun Ward said. “They gave us multiple looks that we didn't see. We adjusted to it, we trusted each other and we just kept climbing.”

FSU struggled the most with defending the run, allowing 253 yards and three touchdowns on 60 carries. Sooner freshman running backs Jovantae Barnes (27 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD) and Gavin Sawchuk (15 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD) inflicted most of the damage on the ground.

Quarterback Jordan Travis and wide receiver Johnny Wilson having career performances played a major role in the Seminoles emerging on top.

Travis completed 27 of 38 passes for a career-high 418 yards and two touchdowns with an interception while turning seven carries into 50 yards. Wilson caught eight passes for a career-high 202 yards, which is also an FSU bowl game record.

“He made some plays that were spectacular,” said Norvell on Wilson.

This win seemed like an appropriate conclusion to the 2022 Seminole season. It also gives FSU momentum heading into the offseason. The Seminoles are clearly positioned to contend for the ACC Championship next season, along with a spot in College Football Playoff.

They will return several key players, including Travis. They will bring in a handful of plug-and-play players from the portal, boasting a transfer class that ranks No. 2 nationally on 247Sports. And they have what looks to be a relatively favorable 2023 schedule.

The future of FSU football looks bright.

“It's only going to get better from this point on,” Ward said. “And we are going to work even harder so we can get to that national championship.”

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Florida State should feature one of nation’s best offenses again in 2023

Wilson had quite the response when he received a question about how Oklahoma defended him.

“If you put your corners in man (coverage) against me, your coach does not really respect you,” Wilson said.

The 6-foot-7, 235-pound receiver showed against the Sooners how much he requires special attention from defenses. And if he returns to the Seminoles instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, they could feature the best offense in college football next season.

But even without Wilson, FSU would have a solid receiver group.

Ontaria Wilson represents the Seminoles’ only receiver who expired his eligibility after this season. Winston Wright Jr., the first-year transfer from West Virginia and former second-team All-Big 12 selection, will finally be back from his injury. Hykeem Williams, a five-star receiver from Stranahan High in Fort Lauderdale, signed with FSU earlier this month.

At running back, the Seminoles could return everyone from a group that produced the most rushing yards per game for the program since 1995. Penn State transfer Caziah Holmes and four-star signee Samuel Singleton also will be added to the mix.

Maybe none of FSU’s position groups will improve more than tight end. The Seminoles are adding the No. 1 and No. 6 tight ends in the transfer portal, in Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Shorter University), respectively.

It won’t be easy for FSU to immediately replace departing left guard Dillan Gibbons and right guard D’Mitri Emmanuel. The Seminole offensive line has a chance to be better next season, though, after another year of development and the addition of transfers Jeremiah Byers (UTEP), Casey Roddick (Colorado) and Keiondre Jones (Auburn).

To round out the group at quarterback, Travis figures to receive some Heisman hype going into the season.

“We are not done yet. This is just the beginning,” Travis said. “We have another chapter. This is the end of the chapter of this year, but we still have a lot, a lot to do. I have a lot of plans for next year and a lot of goals, and I can't wait.”

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Florida State’s defense raises the most questions in 2023

FSU will finish this season ranked near the top of the ACC in at least a few of the major statistical categories on defense.

With more context, though, this defense seemed like fool’s gold.

All of the competent offenses that faced the Seminoles this season – LSU, Louisville, Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida and Oklahoma – found success against them and combined to average 31.5 points and 429 yards.

Run defense looked to be FSU’s biggest weakness. Six teams rushed for more than 160 yards against the Seminoles, and three of those teams recorded more than 250 yards on the ground. They also allowed seven players to run for more than 100 yards against them.

So to reach another level next season, FSU will need to improve defensively against top offenses. The Seminoles otherwise would likely have to win more shootouts like in their victories over the Cardinals, Gators and Sooners this season.

Whether FSU can take that next step defensively probably depends on who returns. The Seminoles could lose arguably their three best players on defense – defensive end Jared Verse, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett and safety Jammie Robinson – to the NFL Draft.

While Verse and Lovett have yet to announce a timetable for their decisions, Robinson expects to make his plans public on Jan. 1.

“I appreciate Florida State for everything, even if I leave or if I don't leave,” Robinson said. “I don't know yet. I will take a couple days off, clear my mind and talk with my brothers, my parents and my family and see what is the best decision for me.”

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: After end to Seminoles' season, 2023 can't come soon enough