FSU football fans continue to countdown until Sunday night after riding the wave of their first season-opening win since 2016.
FSU football entered last week at -41 point favorites over the Duquesne Dukes. However, they will face a much stiffer test when they travel to play the LSU Tigers on a neutral field in Louisiana.
The good news is we saw the Noles in action and had mostly positive takeaways from last week’s game. We have to keep qualifying the takes with it was against Duquesne, but the Noles looked dominant in their 47-7 victory. 2
This LSU game is tricky because there are so many unknown variables. LSU hasn’t played a game yet, and they have a new coaching staff. They have a lot of talent, but how quickly will the talent acclimate to the new schemes on offense and defense?
LSU has question marks on the special teams, offensive line, and a new quarterback. FSU has a ton of continuity on the coaching staff and key players returning on both sides of the ball.
The odds on this game is close for a reason. Here are three things to look for in the LSU game Sunday night.
Third Downs
Both teams struggled on third downs last year, and it’ll be vital for each offense to move the chains Sunday night. We can’t draw too much from last year’s numbers because it’s mostly new or inexperienced players returning for the Tigers.
However, one area where FSU football got burned in some of the games they lost last year was third down defense. I don’t think LSU will be able to straight-up run the ball consistently on FSU’s defense, but one thing to watch will be QB Jayden Daniels on third down.
He can do some damage with his legs, and FSU defensive ends will need to be careful not to run themselves out of plays.
Also, FSU’s defensive tackles could be the difference in this game if they can get pressure up the middle and collapse the pocket.
I know everyone keep mentioning LSU’s wide receivers, but I don’t think their QBs can make the throws consistently if they are under pressure.
FSU defenders staying true to their rushing lanes will be key in avoiding their QBs picking up cheap third down conversions with their legs.
FSU Passing Game
FSU football will need to establish the run if at all possible, but there will be points in this LSU game where the wide receivers will have opportunities to make plays.
Will they be able to make them? The inability to do that in the past few years has made the FSU defense one-dimensional and ineffective against good defenses.
The FSU passing game looked competent last week against an overmatched Duquense team, but this week will be a different challenge. Mike Norvell says the offense is built for playmakers, and FSU believes they have some at wide receiver.
❗️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
Can they win those 1-on-1 matchups consistently? Of course, the offensive line will need to give Jordan Travis enough time to make the throws, but the wide receivers will need to make the plays.
Most LSU pundits believe the secondary is the weakest part of their defense, so if FSU wide receivers can make plays?
Not only would that bode well for Sunday night, but also for the rest of the games. If Jordan Travis has over 250 yards passing, FSU wins this one.
How Much Will Jordan Travis Run?
I mentioned FSU will need to establish their run game if at all possible. If they can’t, one aspect that could come into play will be the running ability of Jordan Travis.
The question is, how much do you run him at the risk of taking too many hits and suffering an injury?
Using the QB in the run game is something Jimbo Fisher and Dabo Swinney would do every time there was a big-time game they needed to win. The QB would have 12+ carries in those types of games.
Could we see Mike Norvell use Jordan Travis that much on designed run plays? FSU has QB draw and the read-option that could help slow down the LSU pass rush. That could also help open up the passing game.
Is it worth it knowing there’s no proven backup QB option if Travis gets hurt? However, FSU does have a bye week after the LSU game, so that would allow Jordan Travis to heal a bit more after taking that many hits.
He has improved as a passer, but his legs are deadly. He ran no fewer than 13 times in the final three games of the year in 2021. My guess is they will use Travis in the running game big time.