​Florida State football enters its first bye week of the season with questions to answer ahead of a pivotal showdown with No. 12 Alabama.The Seminoles (1-1) have looked unconvincing in the first two games of the season. And despite hanging around with No. 17 SMU, only losing 27-24 thanks to a last-second field goal from the Mustangs, the mood around the program isn’t overly positive.Doak Campbell Stadium, after it restored partial power following a near two-hour delay, was filled with heavy boos for large portions of the Seminoles’ loss to SMU. Even as FSU tried to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, lackluster play calling drew boo’s from the crowd hoping to see a clutch drive.It hasn’t been the start that head coach Mike Norvell wanted, nor needed, when considering the temperature of his seat. But it’s a start that can be explained by a few major stats. Here are the stats behind FSU’s inconsistent start to the season.A statistically improbable loss to SMUSMU is the only FBS or NFL team in the last 30 years to have:-3 or worse turnover margintwice as many penalties as their opponentfewer rushing yards than their opponentlower TOP than their opponentmore missed FG than their opponent…and yet still win the game.— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 8, 2026According to OptaStats, the Seminoles 27-24 loss to SMU was an anomaly, and one that hasn’t happened in at least 30 years. FSU outrushed, recorded fewer penalties, had the ball longer, and converted on more field goals while winning the turnover battle over the Mustangs, and still lost.Now, the Mustangs and quarterback Kevin Jennings diced up the Seminoles secondary to the tune of 430 passing yards and three touchdowns, including a 79-yard strike. Yet Jennings’s two interceptions, paired with a first-half fumble and a muffed punt in the third quarter, offered the Seminoles a free lifeline from the Mustangs.Despite the chances, FSU never took advantage. Three of the four drives after turnovers resulted in punts, with two drives immediately after the turnovers resulting in three-and-outs. The lone points off a turnover came in the third quarter. After Nehemiah Chandler intercepted Jennings, FSU punted to end a short five-play drive. That punt, however, was muffed and recovered by FSU. Despite initially settling for a field goal on the gifted drive, an offside on that kick allowed Ousmane Kromah to score on a 6-yard run five plays later and tie the game at 17.SMU was statistically the better team, but it looked like a team playing its first game of the season, and one that had a delayed start after a remarkable power outage. The Seminoles’ inability to pounce on the early-season upset isn’t shocking, however, as the program is now 1-8 in one-score games since 2024. It’s a reflection of the inconsistent nature of FSU’s program that it’s found itself in so many close games. It’s even more jarring that the lone win came against Cal in 2024, where the Seminoles allowed over 400 yards of total offe