FSU football: Ranking the top defenses Noles will face in 2023
By Kelvin Hunt
LSU
- 22.5 PPG
- 5.34 YPP
- 39 percent third down conversion allowed
- 50 percent Red Zone TD percentage allowed
- No. 17 FEI
LSU lost four defensive players to the NFL Draft and probably returns the most talented defense the Noles will face in 2023. Harold Perkins, Maason Smith, Greg Penn III, and Mekhi Wingo all return in 2023. LSU also got help from the transfer portal in Omar Speights (Oregon State LB), Denver Harris (Texas A&M safety), and Duce Chestnut (Syracuse safety). They also return three players from last year’s secondary. They’ll be in year two of defensive coordinator Matt House with a full offseason to prepare for the Noles. FSU should have scored close to 40 points against LSU last season and should be even better this year. However, I expect their defense to be better too. It’ll be a great game to open the 2023 season.