FSU football: 3 areas ‘Noles defense must improve in 2021

Third Down Conversions Allowed

What another great transition! Have you noticed how all of these areas are linked together? Have you noticed? None of them have worked in conjunction with one another over the past few years?

It’s why the defense has been abysmal. The defensive unit has lacked coordination on all three levels, and that combined with no physicality is a recipe for disaster.

The Noles allowed teams to convert third downs 46 percent of the time in 2020. In their three wins, teams converted only 27 percent of the time. In their six losses, teams converted 55 percent of the time.

FSU had ZERO sacks from the defensive end position and looked to improve with three additions from the transfer portal.

Jermaine Johnson, Keir Thomas, and Marcus Cushnie will carry the load for the transfers, but we’re hearing a couple of younger players emerging, according to the coaches.

I know it sounds crazy, but if the defense could get back to at least their 2018 version here, I’d call that a huge success.

The 2018 defense allowed teams to convert 36.5 percent of the time. That unit was also decent in the red zone, allowing teams to score touchdowns only 56 percent of the time. Last year’s defense allowed teams to score touchdowns 66 percent of the time.