Florida State takes first win of the season with narrow victory over Cal

Florida State (1-3) celebrated its first win of the young season with a 14-9 victory over the California Golden Bears (3-1), handing the new members of the Atlantic Coast Conference their first loss.

Like every week, we ask/answer five questions about the game. Feel free to post your answers in the comments section.

• Does this win change your perception/attitude/hopes for this season? Why/why not?

NoleThruandThru: Not at all. Cal is terrible and their best player was definitely not 100%. A competent FSU team wins this game by four touchdowns. It was nice to see the defensive line make some plays and Josh Farmer earned his paycheck tonight. Until we see a big move in young talent, FSU will continue to do its best to give away games (the ones they are actually in – blowouts are coming).

LastnoleofKrypton: No, but it's nice to see at least one side of the ball continue to make progress. I can't say anything good about the offensive performance tonight, but Darius Washington's presence was felt in the run game.

Evenflow58: My win prediction was set at one. Now it's probably two, right? I don't think I've ever been more discouraged by a win.

Tim: Unfortunately not. This game could have easily been lost. On the other hand, FSU could have easily won by several points. Until the latter happens, I still have no faith in this team.

Jon Loesche: Not really. I thought DJ's stupid INT or the decision to go for it in the 4th FG range would come back to haunt FSU, but a win over an undefeated team (even if it's Cal) is nice.

• Has DJ Uiagalelei done enough (in your opinion) to remain FSU's starting guard going forward? If not, who would you like to see in the starting lineup and when should Mike Norvell target Luke Kromenhoek?

NoleThruandThru: It's incredible that Mike Norvell continues to field DJ. I keep repeating myself, but I think you need to start Brock Glenn, mix in some Wildcats with Toafili and Kam Davis, and give Luke some special packages each week. You need to evaluate what you have before next season and whether or not you need help.

LastnoleofKrypton: No, he has to go. He's a bad quarterback.

Evenflow58: No. He would do well in the type of offense Norvell wants. An offense that can pound the ball like Michigan and whose receivers can get wide open while the line keeps the pocket clean. That's not what this offense is. It's an island of misfit toys that don't do much right, so we're just playing out the clock here.

Tim: Overall, this season is still lost and I don't think the team as a whole benefits from continuing to play DJ. You have to know what you have with the kids – let them play.

Jon Loesche: Absolutely not. The redzone pick was just inexcusable. DJU was brought in to keep the floor at 8-4 for this season. That's now the ceiling for this year (if we're being very generous). Brock and Luke are the future at the position, so you might as well see what you've got.

• Who is your MVP of the evening?

NoleThruandThru: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Ja'Khi Douglas is simply built for high-pressure moments. The guy made one crucial catch after another during his time in Tallahassee.

LastnoleofKrypton: I'm rooting for Joshua Farmer. A lot of defensive linemen and linebackers who had good numbers tonight should be paying for Farmer's next meal.

Evenflow58: Farmer made some money tonight. He was a one-man wrecking crew and if he shows some consistency he's going to be very rich.

Jon Loesche: As others have said, Farmer.

• Norvell had several opportunities to pick out Ryan Fitzgerald from over 50 metres and extend the lead. What do you think of his decision not to let Fitzy go?

NoleThruandThru: My mind was full of flowery words. This game shouldn't have been a tight one. You have the best kicker in the nation, but you still put the ball in the hands of arguably the worst quarterback in any power conference. What the hell, Mike?

LastnoleofKrypton: That was pure arrogance from Norvell; it was the coaching decision of a guy who hadn't previously gone 0-3 with one of the worst QBs in the Power 5.

Evenflow58: I understand both sides of that argument. On one hand, points are points. On the other hand, this team is awful and it makes sense to hit the jackpot. I wouldn't have gone the route Norvell went, but at least I understand it and can respect that.

Jon Loesche: Norvell made a lot of similar decisions during the 0-4 start in 2021. Those decisions were baffling at the time, but they ultimately helped the team win 28 of the next 33 games. The difference is that the program was at its lowest ebb and was trying to figure out how to win games.

• Tonight was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins' first game of the season on the bench. Have you noticed any differences in the offense and OL, particularly due to AA?

NoleThruandThru: Not really. The script wasn't bad from the start, but there were still plenty of puzzling plays. The offensive line looked a little better without Robert Scott, but without a gridiron ninja at quarterback, this season has made the lack of development along the OL clear to even the most casual fans.

Tim: I think his presence helped the offensive lineman. But overall I think the running game looked better due to the return of Darius Washington and an average Cal defense. The Seminoles should have had an advantage in that area and finally took advantage tonight.

Evenflow58: No. The reason I'm against him is because the linemen that have been in the program for years don't seem to be able to block players that Navy can block. I didn't see much of a difference tonight.

LastnoleofKrypton: They were better tonight because they had their best player back. I don't think it had anything to do with Atkins coming back.

Jon Loesche: Bringing Washington back helped, but I think there was definitely something that was missing all season. How much of that was Atkins, I can't say.