FSU football: 5 keys to Noles defeating LSU Tigers
By Kelvin Hunt
![TALLAHASSEE, FL - DECEMBER 2: A general view of a Florida State Seminoles Helmet on the field before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 2, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Louisiana Monroe 42 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) TALLAHASSEE, FL - DECEMBER 2: A general view of a Florida State Seminoles Helmet on the field before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 2, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Louisiana Monroe 42 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/37fd625723b9e4fc2e518ba1c74d53b6636c290e1c9101c57e017b85037f6c16.jpg)
Don’t Settle for Field Goals
The expectation is the game will be low-scoring, which translates to FSU potentially not having many opportunities in the red zone.
If that is the case? FSU can’t settle for chip-shot field goals. I would go into this contest with the intent to play four-down ball once I got inside the LSU 40-yard line.
That means if it’s third and seven, call the game knowing you’re going to go for it on fourth and short if the first down isn’t made.
I don’t trust FSU kicker Ryan Fitzgerald past 40-yards. It would depend on the score and flow of the game, but the only time I’d settle for a field goal would be on fourth and long.
The Noles were among the best teams nationally inside the red zone, scoring touchdowns over 70 percent of the time.
LSU’s red zone defense was suspect in 2021, allowing touchdowns over 70 percent of the time.
FSU scoring touchdowns will put tremendous pressure on an LSU offense that’s not sure of their identity just yet. When seen Mike Norvell show aggression on fourth down in the past, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see it against Sunday night.