FSU football: Ranking the top defenses Noles will face in 2023

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles speaks with Jordan Travis #13 during the first half of their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles speaks with Jordan Travis #13 during the first half of their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 12
Next

The FSU football offense was among the best in the nation last season and should be even better in 2024 with more player development and added talent from the transfer portal.

The offense line will be the best and deepest it has been in the last decade, and the skill players FSU has will be among the best in the ACC. However, the return of Jordan Travis is what has everything salivating.

The progression we saw from Jordan Travis last season is nothing short of remarkable. I mean, I pointed out the trend in the final three games in 2021, but he far surpassed all that I expected from him in 2022.

I don’t know if we’ll see another jump that huge, but I anticipate we’ll see another uptick in his production with the improved offensive line and offensive weapons. It’ll likely come down to how much he plays once FSU football gets up by 2-3 touchdowns.

We often saw Travis on the sidelines with a hat on early in the third quarter last year, and this year should be no different. Here are how I rank the defenses the Noles will face in 2023.

NO. 12

North Alabama

  • 41.5 PPG
  • 6.8 YPP
  • 42 percent third down conversion allowed
  • 64.5 percent Red Zone TD percentage allowed

Listen, I’m not gonna waste your time here. North Alabama is a team FSU should beat like a drum and their defense was the worst part of the team. Those numbers are atrocious and they should provide a great week of practice before traveling to Florida.