The Florida State Seminoles are a strange team. They are currently ranked number five in the country, have beaten a top ten team in LSU, but struggled against unranked Boston College and a down Clemson team. So, what is the Noles problem?

There are always things to fix in every phase of the game. FSU’s receivers have struggled at times, there were some questionable coaching decisions late in the game against BC, and something in the last two games has just seemed off.

Many have blamed the Noles slow starting offense, but, despite this, it’s actually one of the best in the country. FSU averages just six points in the first quarter through the first four games, but averages 13 in the second, 13.75 in the third, and 8.75 in the fourth quarter. The Seminoles are 100% in the redzone and they rank fifth in the country in second half points and twentieth in first half points ahead of teams like LSU, Texas, and Ohio State. In fact, compared to Ohio Sate, the Noles have a better scoring offense. They average more points in quarters three and four than the Buckeyes, who are ranked fourth, just ahead of Florida State.

The real issue is Florida State’s defense. Make no mistake, this Noles defense is still good. The question is are they a top ten defense. The Noles give up an average of 22.5 points and that’s with three of their four games being against teams that should not have been able to score on them. They give up the most points on average in the second quarter. They have given up 24 or more points in three of four games and have given up over 420 yards of total offense three times this season.

Compare that to a number four Buckeyes defense that gives up an average of 8.5 points per game and no more than 2.5 points per quarter. Ohio State hasn’t given up more than seven points in any given quarter and has 10 shut out quarters as opposed to Florida States’ three.

Florida State appears to have a top five offense, but not a top five defense. That doesn’t mean that the playoffs are out of sight. The Noles can still turn their defense around, and it starts with being able to shut down the passing game. The secondary has been good this year with three interceptions in four games. However, the rest of the defense has to be able to be disruptive. The line has to get through to the QB and bring the pressure.

They can turn it around, but it needs to happen soon. The Noles have a bye week before facing Virginia tech and Syracuse, two easier opponents. After that, they will host a Duke team that is on the rise with a quarterback that looks very dangerous.