FSU football: Noles have the playmakers to exceed expectations in 2021?
By Kelvin Hunt
Defense
The FSU football defensive line looks like it could be what we thought it could be last season. Jermaine Johnson looks as good as advertised, and Keir Thomas is solid on the opposite side.
The questions are at linebacker and in the secondary against Notre Dame. The largest holes were at linebacker, and while the secondary gave up some huge plays, the latter was in a position to make a play on the ball almost every time.
So that begs the question, will the ‘Noles secondary win those 1-on-1 matchups the majority of the time against the teams they have a realistic shot of beating? I’m talking about Wake Forest, Louisville, Syracuse, UMASS, NC State, Boston College.
If we throw in Jacksonville State, that’s seven potential games, not counting some teams that looked extra suspect in week one like UNC and Miami.
I think that’s what it’s going to come down to, and I’d like to think both phases should improve as the season continues.
If that happens and the Nole continue to have good injury luck? It may not be out of the question for them to exceed expectations.