The No. 3 Florida State Seminoles opened preseason camp 22 days ago. Today, finally, they will begin installing their game plan for a highly anticipated season opener against No. 1 Alabama.
After three weeks of working on fundamentals and overall concepts, the Seminoles actually will begin implementing their schemes and strategies for the Sept. 2 game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Oh, it feels very close. It feels right around the corner,” junior wide receiver Auden Tate said after Tuesday’s practice. “The anticipation is actually killing me.”
If his mood Tuesday was any indication, FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has been pleased with what his team has accomplished in preseason camp. He said there was a brief period late last week where the players seemed to be tiring of the daily grind, but the coaches remedied that by planning a few shorter practices with higher intensity reps.
Then they held their second full scrimmage on Sunday night, and Fisher said he was very pleased with what he saw.
He said the offense was both efficient and explosive. He praised sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois for making good decisions but also giving his wide receivers opportunities to make big plays.
“He was very aggressive with the ball, but very smart with the ball,” Fisher said.
While FSU does not provide statistics from its scrimmages, Fisher said there were a number of “wow” plays by the receivers and running backs. He said the offensive line performed well overall despite occasional breakdowns, and he praised the defense as well.
“I was pleased with the scrimmage, I really was,” Fisher said.
He was perhaps most happy about the things he didn’t see -- penalties, turnovers, missed alignments on defense, broken plays and confusion during substitutions.
“Looked like a group that knew what it was doing,” Fisher said. “Much sharper than the first [scrimmage]. Not that the first was really that bad, but it was one of the better ones we’ve had.”
Now, the Seminoles are looking forward to turning their attention to the Crimson Tide.
“That’s what you come to Florida State for,” Tate said. “For games like this -- big-time games, big-time moments. We’re just going to be ready Sept. 2 for it.”
