Mike Bianchi: Yes, Mike Norvell should be on the hot seat, but FSU fans shouldn’t be pouring gasoline on it

Orlando, Florida — The loss of power at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night was a striking metaphor for Florida State football. The lights went out, the scoreboard vanished, Wi-Fi went down, and communication stopped working, delaying kickoff against No. 19 SMU by nearly two hours as crews worked to restore electricity. But now, it's time to address how some Florida State fans are exacerbating the situation.

After losing 27-24 to a strong SMU team, the Seminoles drop to 1-1, raising calls for coach Mike Norvell to be fired, quarterbacks benched, and the season deemed over. Social media is already filled with criticism, but it's important to distinguish between constructive criticism and toxicity. Last season at Florida, relentless criticism created a "Noise in the system" that drowned out any encouragement.

Now, FSU has too much noise, making it difficult for players to focus on their performance. Players are aware of the negativity, which can affect their morale and self-confidence, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. The late George Edmondson, who stood up to boos at a University of Florida game in 1949, teaches fans the importance of supporting their team, even when they're struggling.

Edmondson's approach, which involved chanting for the Gators, paid off when they ultimately won. For Florida State fans, the choice is clear: either contribute positively to the program or risk destroying it. While Norvell needs to improve his coaching, players and fans need to drown out the negativity and support the team instead.