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FSU Football: Analyzing 3 losses involving Harlon Barnett’s defenses

By Kelvin Hunt

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 30: A Florida State Seminoles cheerleader runs a flag on the field before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 30: A Florida State Seminoles cheerleader runs a flag on the field before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

Conclusion

So looking back at these three losses it’s easy to see the Michigan State defense carried this team to 10 wins in 2017. The offense was actually worse than FSU’s offense in 2017, checking in at No. 92 according to S&P stats.

If we were to add the stats up from all three losses it would look like this. Barnett’s defenses would have given up 1,236 yards on 194 plays which equates to 6.37 ypp.

Third down conversions were an issue, but again mostly of the third and short variety. That meant Michigan State wasn’t able to win in the trenches on first and second downs.

I’d blame that on the talent gap between Michigan State and Notre Dame/Ohio State. Not to mention Notre Dame had a good offense and Ohio State was a great offense.

Going Forward

Those talent gaps will vanish at FSU. The ‘Noles will feature the most talented roster in the ACC, yes even more talented than Clemson overall.

FSU has had the more talented team the past three years in fact. The problem is Clemson had a generational QB two of those years and FSU was playing a true freshman in the third year.

Next: Willie Taggart's Staff Already Superior To Old Regime

I expect Barnett to make an impact in year one and have FSU football on its way to looking like those defensive machines from prime Mickey Andrews years.

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