FSU football: Grading our top 10 bold predictions for 2021 season

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts as he waits for a replay decision on a touchdown call during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 09, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts as he waits for a replay decision on a touchdown call during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 09, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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FSU defense will hold opposing offenses to 5.9 yards per play or lower

"I swallowed really hard as I typed that number, but the crazy part is that’s not very good at all. Yet, I still felt weird typing it out. That’s how bad Adam Fuller’s defense was in 2020. FSU allowed 6.47 yards per play, and that was without facing two of the better offenses in the nation, Clemson and Florida. Most of those issues stemmed from poor defensive line and linebacker play. I like the starting front four on the defensive line a lot of the Noles in 2021. FSU can’t get much worse at linebacker than they were last year. As I mentioned with Jermaine Johnson, a pass rush would work wonders for this defense. I like FSU’s secondary better than last year (on paper). The Noles will face some good offenses, with most of the teams returning quarterbacks with experience. It’s going to be a tough ask, but the defense has to show improvement or Adam Fuller’s head has to get small in the distance. The defensive line has depth and experience, the same for linebackers, and the secondary. Fuller’s defense is more aggressive, which should result in more tackles for loss."

I was one of the few folks showing support for Adam Fuller before the season and one of the few to continue that support after an 0-4 start.

The problem was the offense, not the defense, for the most part. The additions of Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas were huge, and the defense came together once Fuller figured out the right combination of players in the secondary while also working around a few injuries.

The run defense improved, and when coupled with the pass rush, helped the secondary improve. The biggest issue was players in the secondary losing 1-on-1 battles when they were in the position to make a plan.

However, the defense improved from allowing 6.47 ypp to 5.19 ypp. That’s outstanding progress.

Grade: A+