FSU Football: Breaking Down Jimbo Fisher's Opening Drives

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jimbo Fisher and FSU football has struggled in their offensive opening drives all season. We break them down and look at the stats.

We have broken down a lot of the things that have gone wrong on the defensive side of the ball for FSU football this season. However, they have shown some much-needed improvement over the past three games.

So much in fact, that defensive coordinator Charles Kelly may very well have saved his job this coming off-season.

However, the FSU offense has been off in the first half of games relatively all season. It’s amazing too, because the 15 or so plays are scripted by Jimbo Fisher and the offense.

So why in the world have opening drives not been more successful?

We take a look at some of the stats and provide our observations.

Oct 31, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminole fans react during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

The Stats

Below are the opening drive stats for all eight games on the season:

Total Plays-52

Total Yards-293

Yard Per Play-5.63

Punts-4

TD-2 TD

Missed FG-1

Turnover On Downs-1

Run Plays-29

Pass-23

Average Drive-6 plays 36 yards

The total yards and yards per play here are bolstered GREATLY by Dalvin Cook’s first play, 75 yard touchdown run against South Florida.

Oct 15, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) leaps over Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Thomas Brown (26) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Key Observations

JImbo Fisher LOVES to run the ball on first down. I already knew that, but looking at each drive was incredible to confirm what I thought.

Jimbo Fisher is incredibly predictable on first downs. Did you know he ran the ball on the VERY first play in the first seven games?

The first pass play on the FIRST play of a FSU offensive possession opening drive didn’t happen until the Clemson game.

Guess what? That pass play went for 19 yards.

Here’s how the run plays that began the initial drives in FSU’s first seven games went:

Next: Conclusion

Oct 29, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) warms up before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion

It does seem that Jimbo has tendencies that other teams have identified and game planned against. It doesn’t take a genius to see Jimbo likes to run on the first offensive play of the game.

Who could blame him when you have a running back like Dalvin Cook though? However, one can see what can happen when tendencies are broken.

That’s why the FSU offense has been so much better in the second half of games. Jimbo goes into the second half of games and mixes things up a lot more based on what he has seen from the defense.

I often wonder why Jimbo hasn’t made these adjustments after watching film on these teams? Maybe he has, but it’s just a lack of execution from the offense?

Why is there such a disparity between execution of plays in the first and second halves of games for the FSU offense?

Is there a particular reason other than predictability and lack of execution regarding lack of production in the first half of games?

FSU football takes on NC State in Raleigh at Carter-Finely Stadium on Saturday night. They were down 24-7 after the first quarter the last time they were in Raleigh.

It’ll be a raucous atmosphere after those fans have been drinking all day. Wouldn’t it be great to see the FSU offense come out and score two touchdowns in the first quarter?

Let’s see if Jimbo runs the ball on the very first play the offense has the ball, or if he’ll break tendency again like the Clemson game.

Stay tuned to Chop Chat for more FSU football news and coverage.