In this chaotic college football season, Florida State found itself in a dramatic late-night struggle to avoid a 3-4 record and 0-4 mark in the ACC. A final, nerve-wracking goal-line play at Stanford, endlessly reviewed by referees, captured the “loopy” theme shaping the sport this year.

A sudden onslaught of hard objects striking a metal roof jolted a sleeping homeowner awake. Just as quickly as it started, the noise vanished, leaving only the soft whisper of wind in its wake.