The LSU game has been on the forefront of FSU football fans’ minds for the better part of the offseason, and we’ll continue to discuss it until the game takes place Sunday night in primetime.
The Noles enter the contest as slight betting underdogs, despite the game taking place in LSU’s home state. How do these teams match up?
Who likely wins the game? We discuss that and more in the interview below.
FSU football has been established in the FanSided network for a while with our coverage of the Noles. We’re lucky enough to have a FanSided site dedicated to covering LSU sports.
I was fortunate to discuss five questions with LSU expert Gabe Henderson from Death Valley Voice.
Check them out for all things LSU sports. The questions and answers are below:
Chop Chat: What’s the overall feeling from the LSU side of things after the Brian Kelly hire? How much have things changed under his leadership and what’s the overall vibe going into the season, beginning with the FSU game?
Death Valley Voice: LSU fans are really excited about the Brian Kelly hire. He’s been one of the best coaches in the country for the last decade and he provides some stability, which is needed in Baton Rouge after the way Ed Orgeron left the program. The Tigers have looked like a poorly coached, undisciplined football team over the last two seasons—it’s about time things change. This team has a lot of potential. If LSU can tighten up under Kelly, get back to basics and do the little things right, it can make some noise again in the SEC in just a couple of seasons. It’s an exciting time to be a Tigers fan. The Florida State game is exactly what fans desire: a chance to assess the team’s progress and an entertaining contest right out of the gate. We’re really looking forward to a good, competitive football game!
Chop Chat: I know Brian Kelly mentioned he wouldn’t name a QB publicly before the game, but who would you like to see as the starting QB and why? Also, that happens, how do you expect LSU to attack this FSU defense?
Death Valley Voice: I personally believe Jayden Daniels will be the starting quarterback, which would be the correct decision in the eyes of many. He’s got more experience than Garrett Nussmeier, he’s more versatile and he fits into offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system more than Nussmeier. While we’ll likely see both throughout the early season, I think Daniels will be the surefire starter throughout most of the year. If Daniels is named the starter, I expect LSU to come out firing. I think the Tigers will try to get the ball into the hands of their explosive playmakers early—most of whom are receivers. Passing the ball will allow Denbrock to really spread the field, which plays into Daniels’ hands as an explosive individual.
Chop Chat: I think both teams likely have question marks about their offensive line. Talk to us about who LSU named as their starters and their perceived strengths and weaknesses? Do you think they will hold up against FSU’s defensive front?
Death Valley Voice: Brian Kelly has gone out of his way to note the progress made by the offensive line throughout Fall Camp. That being said, it’s still a huge question mark. LSU recently named its five starters—Fr. Will Campbell (LT), So. Miles Frazier (LG), RS Fr. Garrett Dellinger (C), RS Jr. Anthony Bradford (RG) and RS Sr. Cam Wire (RT)—and the immediate talking point is the inexperience. That’ll be the biggest weakness of the Tigers’ offensive line in the early season. There are likely to be growing pains, but Kelly does have experience in senior transfer Tre’Mond Shorts to fall back on if needs be. Whereas the biggest weakness of the unit is inexperience, I think the biggest strength of LSU’s offensive line is versatility and size. The Tigers have a ton of options, so if things don’t work early on or an injury occurs, the coaching staff can plug and play. I think they can hold up against the Seminoles’ front seven, but I don’t know if they necessarily will. There are bound to be some mistakes here and there, Sunday should be all about getting up to game speed and minimizing those errors. The offensive line’s success could very well depend on the offensive gameplan. Kelly and Denbrock need to keep in mind that this is the first full-speed game this unit has together, so LSU can’t take too many chances.
❗️EPISODE 49❗️ Brief Duquesne recap and getting into my game-by-game win share predictions. Who is the toughest game? Which teams are more beatable than most? https://t.co/qgefSpW0Qz Powered by @BleavSports and Presented by @betonline_ag Appreciate your time 🍢
— Built For Playmakers Podcast (@Built4Playmaker) August 31, 2022
Chop Chat: Advanced FEI metrics had FSU and LSU as almost identical teams rankings-wise at the end of last season. Where do you see FSU giving LSU the most problems and vice versa.
Death Valley Voice: I think Florida State will give LSU the most problems on the ground. The nation saw last week what the Seminoles are capable of in the running game. While there are many notable names on the Tigers’ defensive line, the linebacking core has struggled over the last couple of years. Florida State could really give LSU fits with its rushing attack, which would in turn open up the passing game and the Seminoles could have a field day with the secondary—despite Kelly’s praise of the defensive backs in camp. On the other hand, LSU can cause serious problems with its receiving core. If the Tigers get consistent quarterback play, merely getting the ball into the hands of the likes of Kayshon Boutte, Malik Nabers and Jack Bech will be enough. The talented receiving trio is as good as almost any in the country, so it’s safe to say they’re going to be a handful for any defense to stop.
Chop Chat: Prediction for the game? Oddsmakers have the Tigers as a small favorite in a neutral not so neutral setting. What are your keys to the game for the Tigers to get the win, and what percentage do you give the Noles’ chances of winning outright?
Death Valley Voice: This game is incredibly difficult to predict, these teams are in such similar places that I could see it going either way. I’ll give the edge to LSU simply because I think the Tigers have some more explosive individuals on offense and a better coaching staff. The setting will be no joke either, the fact that it’s called a neutral game is laughable in a sense. LSU shows up, and its fans show out, in The Big Easy. One doesn’t need to look too far back to see what the Tigers did the last time they played a game in New Orleans. In order to win the game, LSU needs to limit its mistakes. It sounds simple, but turnovers, penalties and giving up huge plays on defense have killed the Tigers throughout the last two seasons. If Kelly can whip this team into shape, it’ll put LSU in a great position to win. Seeing as this stuff is not a given though, I’d say the Seminoles have a 40 to 45% chance of beating the Tigers outright.
I’d like to thank Gabe for his time and great insight into things from an LSU perspective. It should be a great game and make sure you check out my responses to his questions at Death Valley Voice!