FSU Football defense deserves praise after performance vs. Alabama

FSU football saw a performance by their defensive unit that kept them in the game – and was a complete change from what was seen in 2016.

One look at the scoreboard from FSU football‘s season opening loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide would tell a story about a team that couldn’t stop the top ranked team in the country while the offense couldn’t get anything going and that’s why the Seminoles lost. While the second part has a level of truth, the first part couldn’t be further from what took place.

Against the team who has been considered the latest dynasty in college football, the Seminoles defense showed up in holding them to just 269 total yards for the game. One look at the stats show that FSU football, on defense, allowed 179 yards of those yards on Alabama’s first three drives of the game – while holding them to a total of 90 yards of offense over the last two thirds of the contest.

It didn’t look like it was going to start that way as the Noles had issues with wrapping up tackles and allowing second chance yardage, much of the reason for those early big gains for the Tide. For a while, it looked like FSU football fans were seeing a flashback to the 2016 defense at the start of the season.

Of course, much of the attention on that side of the ball was paid to Derwin James, who made his return to the lineup after missing almost all of last season. While the preseason All-American didn’t have multiple sacks, interceptions or fumble recoveries, his presence on the field allowed for other members on that side of the ball to open up there game and get around the field.

The defense found themselves with their backs against the wall multiple times, including four straight series where the offense and special teams committed errors that put the FSU football defense in a position where they had to stop Alabama with a short field. The defense bent in giving up 14 points, but didn’t break.

There is no room for moral victories, and everyone from head coach Jimbo Fisher to defensive coordinator Charles Kelly – someone who has been on the hot seat from fans and media experts for the past few seasons – will agree with that. That being said, there has to be some level of happiness with knowing that this is not the 2016 FSU football defense.

Next: Breaking Down FSU Quarterback Position With Francois Out

Now with starting quarterback Deondre Francois out for the season and plenty of questions on offense, the Seminoles defense is going to be called on much more during the remaining 11 regular season games – which will determine whether this team can bounce back or whether this will be a season to forget.