FSU football: Who are the impact players versus LSU?

FSU football excitement is in the air as we await the highly-anticipated matchup of the No. 5 LSU Tigers versus the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles on Sunday, September 3rd at 7:30 p.m. ET in the confines of Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Last season’s matchup between the two opponents was one to remember as reserve defensive back Shyheim Brown blocked the game-tying extra point at the end of regulation to give the Seminoles the 24-23 victory over the Tigers.

As we wind down to kickoff for the 2023 contest, let’s break down three impact players on the Seminoles’ roster that I believe should play a pivotal part in the game.

The college football media has constantly raved about quarterback Jordan Travis’s development as a passer during the 2022 season, where he completed 226 of his 353 passes (64%) for 3,214 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with only five interceptions. The coaching staff has acquired more viable playmakers in the offense around the Heisman hopeful, such as wide receiver Keon Coleman as well as tight ends Jaheim Bell and Kyle Morlock. Travis should have an opportunity to put up some explosive numbers facing off against a talented, yet inexperienced secondary for the Tigers.

Speaking about Travis’ new weapons, Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman is a special talent that could complement 6’7″ Johnny Wilson very nicely. I could easily include Wilson in this impact player list. However, I believe that the Opelousas (LA) native could be exactly what the Seminoles’ offense needs to elevate itself to an elite level. He is a veteran wide receiver with above-average speed, acceleration, athleticism, and great hands. During the 2022 season, Coleman recorded 58 receptions for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6’4″ playmaker could create a nightmare scenario for the Tigers’ starting cornerback Duce Chestnut, who is 5’11”.

Redshirt senior defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr. announced that he would return for his final season in Tallahassee. This defensive unit severely missed the services of the former Mississippi State transfer after he went down with a lower-body injury late in the season opener against LSU last season. As a result, the defense had a difficult time defending against the run where, they allowed 4.82 yards per run. If the Seminoles want the Tigers to be one-dimensional offensively in order to focus on quarterback Jayden Daniels, Lovett Sr. needs to establish the line of scrimmage.

Impact Players on LSU’s Roster:

• QB Jayden Daniels
• WR Malik Nabers
• LB Harold Perkins Jr.