FSU football: Grading our top 10 BOLD predictions for 2022 season
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU Defense Will Have 95+ Tackles for loss
"FSU’s defense hasn’t had 100+ tackles for a loss since forever, and they probably won’t get there in 2022. However, I think they’ll get real close. I think we’ll get better production from the defensive tackles in splash plays at the line of scrimmage in the run game. The defensive ends won’t produce like last year, but there’s potential to make an impact behind the line of scrimmage. I think we might see a slight uptick in tackles for a loss from the linebackers, and we could see more blitzes from Adam Fuller at different points this season. The Noles had 87 tackles for a loss last year, with nearly 30 coming from Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas. However, the depth in the trenches and linebacker likely means fresher players for longer stints of time, which could accumulate more tackles for a loss compared to playing starters more snaps, with them wearing down in the second half of games. FSU will play a few teams with some awful offenses too. I don’t expect much from Duquesne, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, or Louisiana. I think the defense may eat a little more than folks realize."
Admittedly, this prediction was bolder than most considering the personnel FSU lost from last year’s team. Fabien Lovett missing multiple games and Jared Verse operating far less than 100 percent certainly impacted the number here. FSU has 73 tackles for a loss, which is well below the prediction. However, FSU setting starters in the second half of so many blowouts was a factor too. The inability to create tackles for a loss in some situations hurt in critical situations.