FSU football: 5 huge takeaways from upset win over LSU

The FSU football team went into the game Sunday night against the LSU Tigers with some questions that lingered from the Duquesne opener.

FSU ran through Duquesne the way most everyone expected, and it was a dominant performance. Although we praised groups and individuals for their production, we had to continue to qualify statements that it was against Duquesne.

Which meant we had to see the team perform against someone with better talent before we’d believe everything we saw from that game.

Did we think we’d have three 100-yard rushers against LSU?

No, but I felt like there would be opportunities on both sides of the ball for the Noles to make plays. The question was, would the players take advantage of those opportunities when they presented themselves?

The crazy part is that FSU left a ton of plays on the field on both sides of the ball, despite making a lot of plays throughout the game. What if they had made two of the catches that would have been touchdowns?

What if Treshaun Ward didn’t fumble on the one-yard line? What if Ryan Fitzgerald didn’t miss the field goal? What if a couple of FSU defensive players made tackles when they were in position against Jayden Daniels?

There’s a ton of room for improvement, which is what the coaching staff will point out as they begin preparations for Louisville. Here are five huge takeaways from the win over LSU.

Wide Receiving Options Are Good Enough

I have been in the minority believing the FSU wide receivers could be good enough to be a difference-maker on the offense in 2022.

All we heard from people that attend practice in the spring was such and such didn’t do this or that. They said they weren’t any good, but if you listened to me, I voiced these guys were talented and good enough to improve the offense in 2022.

That was a low bar, considering how bad the receivers were last year, but I felt the new additions would be a significant upgrade, and they’d help push the receivers already on the roster.

I’m right so far on both fronts. FSU has had two different leading receivers in their first two games, and both were guys who were on the roster last year.

However, both games have seen production from the three healthy transfer wide receivers. Has Johnny Wilson dropped a few balls? Yep, but he has made some huge catches through two games. Did Mycah Pittman drop(or DPI) a touchdown against LSU?

Yes, but he had some big-time catches too. Camren McDonald had a bad drop but had two huge catches on third down.

The point is that the wide receivers are not elite, but they are good enough to be in the upper half of the ACC. That’s good enough to win way more games than most thought (except for me) before the season started.

Linebackers Are A Strength

FSU football hasn’t had two linebackers this good in I can’t tell you when. The addition of Tatum Bethune along with Kalen DeLoach and DJ Lundy has changed this FSU defense, and helped absorb some of the losses of Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas to the NFL.

Look at this play.

Want to talk about swarming to the ball? Want to talk about physicality? DeLoach and Bethune combined for 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three tackles for a loss against LSU. Those two guys are the starters, but DJ Lundy has improved and is a quality player in his own right.

Lundy had four tackles against Duquesne and tackle for a loss. As long as these guys remain healthy? This defense isn’t going to give much too many easy plays like in years past.

Offensive Line Held Their Own Against A Good Defensive Line

LSU only had two sacks and four tackles for a loss Sunday night. A lot of credit has to go to the FSU offensive line playing without starting tackle, Bless Harris.

Take a look at this poetry in motion. When was the last time we saw an FSU offensive line give a quarterback a pocket like this?

Watch the line of scrimmage on this play.

It’s a thing of beauty. What about this one?

Look at the communication and stalemate against one of the more talented defensive fronts in college football.

I rest my case.

Jared Verse Is The Real Deal

FSU transfer defensive end Jared Verse announced himself to the masses Sunday night with a memorable performance.

Verse had three tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss. The incredible thing is he could have had a better outing if LSU offensive linemen didn’t hold him nearly every play and he didn’t miss a couple of tackles.

There will be times where he runs himself out of a play or he loses contain here and there, but the guy has the goods and will likely be better than we thought he’d be in year one.

He already has three sacks in two games and will face several teams breaking in new offensive linemen this year.

Jordan Travis The Real Deal

I can’t say enough about the development of Jordan Travis as a quarterback. He was the player I wanted to see most against better competition.

He made strides against some OK defenses in the final three games of last season. I saw the Duquesne game and thought he looks different than last year because of his calmness in the pocket and not running immediately as he felt the pressure.

However, the way he operated Sunday night, and let’s be clear, he was surgical most of the night against a talented defense. Jordan Travis playing at this level can take FSU football to heights they haven’t seen since 2016.

Granted, this team doesn’t have a Dalvin Cook in the backfield, but it has some weapons that can do damage. Jordan Travis spoke about his confidence going into the season and how comfortable he was executing the entire offense.

It has shown in the first two games. He’s not putting the ball in harm’s way, and he’s making smart decisions of when to use his legs or when to keep his eyes downfield.

I thought we’d see an improved Jordan Travis, but I didn’t think he would be THIS good this early. Jordan Travis will make this offense a big problem for opposing defenses.