CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. _ Florida State safety Derwin James believes the Seminoles are playing on eggshells.
Offensive lineman and outspoken team leader Alec Eberle believes his teammates simply need to bring some more of their own "juice to the party."
Without metaphors, defensive end Brian Burns says the Seminoles have pointed blamed each other, but still have to positively work together after their worst loss of the 2017 season, a 35-3 disappointment at Boston College on Friday night.
"Of course, emotions got flared, and people started pointing fingers," Burns said, "but everybody just has to calm down and figure out what the real problem is to get it solved."
Kicker Ricky Aguayo may have best summed up Florida State's first 2-5 start since 1976.
"We're focusing on losing," Aguayo said. "We're scared to lose rather than being eager to win."
Jimbo Fisher, off to his worst start as Florida State's head coach in his eight-year tenure, also echoed the same statements following the defeat.
The Seminoles, succumbed by their poor start, are playing with fear of clinching the team's first losing record since Bobby Bowden's first season of his legendary coaching career with the team in 1976.
FSU's nation-leading 35-year bowl streak, which began in 1981, is also on the line.
Fisher said his players have been too focused on the results for their on-field downfalls instead of simply playing to avoid having their miscues turn into consequences.
"We're so worried about that, in my opinion, and we're forgetting about the process of changing and winning the game, and playing well," Fisher said, hoping to find solutions for his team's play this season.
"Can't worry about what can't happen, what could happen or what might happen. You got to line up, and worry about what you can change."
The Seminoles committed three turnovers on offense while allowing Boston College to run at will at times, as Eagles running back AJ Dillon led all players with 149 yards rushing and a touchdown.
B.C. quarterback Anthony Brown tossed for only 54 yards on six completions with a touchdown, while rushing three times for 20 yards and a touchdown in the win.
FSU hoped to rebound from its demoralizing loss to Louisville at Doak Campbell Stadium last week, but fell deeper in the midst of their struggling season.
As players see miscues go against them during games, they collectively wilt away with an empty response.
Eberle, however, believes the Seminoles remain an encouraged bunch.
"If you need someone else to give you juice, that's not going to work," Eberle said of the proverbial motivation. "You got to bring your own juice to the party sometimes. I think we're learning that, and we're continuing to grow as a team.
"We have to keep working," Eberle added.
Aguayo, who believes FSU's downfall from its preseason No. 3 ranking is no longer in play, says the Seminoles simply need to show their maturity at this point in the season.
"We're scared to lose now," Aguayo said. "We should be more fired up when we come out, focused on the game, and not focused on the season and making a bowl game."
The Seminoles (2-5, 2-4 ACC) would need wins in each of its final four games of the season to have six victories for bowl eligibility. Five wins and ideal APR scores could also suffice for a bowl invite.
FSU is expected to announce whether it will reschedule its Sept. 9 canceled game against Louisiana-Monroe due to Hurricane Irma this week. The game, which could bolster FSU's bowl resume, could be played on Dec. 2 in Doak Campbell Stadium.
At this point, James believes the Seminoles need to embrace their poor start in order to end the season on a higher note.
"This season ain't going the way we wanted it too, but it's just the hand we've been dealt this year. We need to finish," James said. "I don't think Florida State's program is going to finish after this year. There's still more football to be played. Just finish."
Fisher believes he still has the fight in his players, who hope to put it display for the team's first home win of the season against Syracuse at 12:20 p.m. on next Saturday.
"There's no packing it in. Our guys played hard. They're sad. They're worried _ all those good things," Fisher said. "But when your kids do that, you have to show them, and they have to believe. And you have to come out of it."
