Jimbo Fisher: [We] Need to Step Up and Play Better This Week

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher spoke to the media on Wednesday during his weekly ACC coaches teleconference. The eighth-year head coach addressed his team’s shaky start, quarterback James Blackman’s performance and more.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made headlines earlier in the day when he said that the Seminoles, despite their 0-2 record, are still “one of the best teams in the country.” FSU travels to Death Valley to face the Tigers on Nov. 11.

Fisher remained adamant that the Noles must take the remainder of the season one game at a time.

“[FSU has] been 0-2; they were here like that in 1989 and finished No. 4,” Fisher said. “You have to go play one game at a time and have the pride in what you do, and we’re very close in all the areas, but we have to improve and we have to get over that hump, and we have to find a way to get over that hump.”

FSU’s offensive line was the subject of much scrutiny following the Seminoles’ 27-21 loss to N.C. State, with many calling for the firing of assistant coach Rick Trickett. Fisher said that the offensive line “played pretty well” and that, for the most part, the Seminoles moved the ball well. He also pointed out that some of the mistakes should not be attributed to offensive line play.

Fisher was asked about how kicker Ricky Aguayo has handled playing successor to his older brother, Roberto, who left FSU as arguably the best kicker in the nation before struggling in the NFL.

“Your brother can’t control what you do,” Fisher said. “Ricky can’t worry about his brother; his brother can’t kick for him and he can’t kick for his brother. What he has to do is do what makes Ricky successful and … stay true to the process of doing things right.”

Regarding the injury to receiver Auden Tate, Fisher said that the junior is “day-to-day” and has been participating in practice. Tate was Blackman’s main target before suffering a shoulder injury in the second half of FSU’s home opener.

Fisher remains positive despite his team’s rough start when asked what his message was to the team this week.

“You have to go back to work and control what you can control,” Fisher said. “Ignore the clutter, ignore things outside and do the things that are in your control about how you prepare again and come back and play it one game at a time…

“There’s no magic formula, no magic dust you can put out there, you just have to finish and play a little more consistent and do a little better job…”

Florida State travels to undefeated Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole and co-hosts the Giving ‘Em The Business Podcast on Soundcloud. You can find him on Twitter @joshmixon10.