I think some posters are over-reacting because this team isn't yet a 2012 juggernaut.
OL was good, understanding that WVU isn't an SEC caliber defense.
Blake Sims was solid, again, understanding that WVU's D <> SEC D. I was especially impressed with his operation in the shadow of our own goal. He converted some 3rd downs that, if we'd had to punt, WVU would have had a short field.
DL was better at pass rush than last year, and I think they will improve as the season goes along.
Running game and rush defense were better than good, especially in the second half.
Defense gave up 16 points, including one touchdown (on a perfectly thrown ball that was essentially impossible to defend).
Kicking specialists were outstanding.
The talking heads raked us for a sub-par performance. But FSU got a pass for a closer game than ours, against an opponent that was comparable underdog. Which means that, in general, they still want us to lose more than anybody. Which means that, notwithstanding the last two games of 2013, they still view us as King. It remains good to be hated.
Now, anyone familiar with my posts knows I'm no Pollyanna in crimson-colored glasses.
Sylve had a bad day, and it was clear early on that the WVU coaching staff had him tagged as a liability. I'm equally sure that our coaches recognized it. What bothered me most was that, given all the circumstances, we obviously STILL felt he was the best option, warts and all. That scared me.
Sims stares a hole in his #1 receiving target. It cost him one pick against WVU. SEC defenses will eat that alive, especially as his arm strength isn't good enough to overcome it on passes longer than 15 yards from point of release (notice I didn't say 15 yards downfield from the LOS). That lack of both arm strength and pinpoint accuracy will become a bigger problem on multiple fronts later in the season.
Why, oh why, can we not prevent the long KO return? We'll have three great stops inside the 20, then throw all that on the trash heap with a breakdown leading to a TD.
Taking into account the competition, I fully understand that Saturday's performance would result in at least four losses later on down the schedule. But we have time and the best coaches in the game. While I'm not predicting 15-0, I am confident that, barring crucial injury, we'll have our playoff fate in our own hands in the second half of November.