FSU Football: Virginia Tech’s biggest struggle on offense in 2017

FSU football will look to limit the Hokies with a stifling defense on September 3rd. Here’s why they could have some success.

I’ve discussed it before regarding FSU football taking on Virginia Tech in the 2018 opener. A lot of folk are high on the Hokies for whatever reason, but I’m not sold on them.

We already discussed how much they’ve lost from a defense that was No. 9 in nation according to S&P advanced metrics in 2017. That metrics try to account for it, but that defense faced a lot of sub par offenses too.

However, one thing I’ve mentioned before is just how terrible the Hokies were on offense last season.

They were No. 96 in the nation according to S&P metrics, and one of the biggest reasons is pointed out by ESPN’s David Hale below:

Thoughts

The Hokies were not very good in many offensive categories, but this one is arguably the most important. It’s hard to beat good teams if you’re not scoring touchdowns.

Virginia Tech had 57 red zone attempts in 2017 and only scored a touchdown 50.88 percent of the time(29 touchdowns). That’s an average of about four red zone trips per game on maybe 10 or 11 possessions.

Obviously the FSU defense will not want to allow them to get in the red zone, but can take solace that it’s an area where they struggled last year.

FSU’s mission will be to stop the run and force their QB to beat them with his arm where he only completed 59.6 percent of his passes in 2017.

The passing windows are typically smaller in the red zone which should bode well for the Noles in the opener.

If by chance the Hokies do find themselves in the red zone, holding them to field goals is a win and likely a win for the Noles when the clock strikes zero. FSU football is currently a -6.5 point favorite according to SBROdds.com