FSU football: Top 5 major keys to defeating Clemson Tigers
By Kelvin Hunt
Convert Third Downs
FSU improved in this department since last year, but it should be better. FSU football converted 39.5 percent of third downs through six games last year and sits at 46.75 percent through six games in 2022.
However, the FSU offense has seen that number drop below 40 percent in the two games (losses). FSU converted 36.36 percent against Wake Forest and 38.46 percent against NC State Saturday night.
If you want to see how this translates to success? FSU had converted 4 of 8 third downs in the first half against NC State to take a 17-3 lead into halftime.
They finished the game 5 of 13 and lost 19-17. That aspect has been the story of FSU’s offense in their two losses.
The inability to string plays together to consistently find the end zone. FSU dropped at least three passes against NC State that would have been third-down conversions and likely would have put them in position for the eventual game-winning score.
The inability to move the chains gave the opposing offense a good field position, which made it tougher on the FSU defense. FSU must convert north of 40 percent on third downs to win this game.