FSU football: 3 keys to Noles upset over Notre Dame in primetime

Limit Notre Dame To Field Goals In Red Zone

The FSU defense holding teams scoreless or to field goals in the red zone was an area the team struggled in 2020.

The first thing FSU has to do is eliminate the long runs for touchdowns Notre Dame had last season. If they do that it, won’t matter what happens in the red zone because they won’t get there.

However, FSU will look to limit the explosive plays and force Notre Dame to execute plays down the field. Whenever the ‘Noles defense gets in the red zone is when they need to buckle down and get stops to force field goals or a turnover on downs.

Notre Dame took five drives into the red zone last year and scored touchdowns on four of them. That’s a 28 point swing, so what happens if they hold Notre Dame to field goals on a couple more of those possessions?

It changes the ballgame. I expect Notre Dame to move the ball down the field, but they must tighten up when the field constricts to 20-yards or less.

The defense having success in the red zone helps alleviate the pressure on the offense of scoring a touchdown on every possession. It also builds confidence in the defensive players, and they can feed off of on the next series.