FSU football: How special teams could be difference maker in 2020

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 06: The game ball used by the Florida State Seminoles rests on the field during the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 06: The game ball used by the Florida State Seminoles rests on the field during the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
fsu football
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Defense Helping Special Teams

I expect this FSU football defense to be much improved over the past two years. They return what should be a dominant defensive line and experience at all three levels.

Florida State Seminoles Football
Florida State Seminoles Football /

Florida State Seminoles Football

Plus, Adam Fuller has proven he’s capable of improving defenses tremendously in year one at two different places.

So how does that tie into helping special teams? One of the biggest issues plaguing the Noles has been the inability to get off the field on third downs. Opposing offenses have converted third downs on average, 38.47 percent over the past two seasons.

That means the likelihood of the defense getting a three and out is low right? Which means the offense is converting at least one first down before having to punt. That translates into a relatively poor field position for the FSU offense, because the opposing punter will have a good shot of pinning FSU deep or the punt results in a touchback. Either way, that means FSU has to cover most of the field to score a touchdown.

An FSU defense that can get off the field on third down likely means better field position for the FSU offense.