FSU football: Generating pressure will be key for the ‘Noles defense

FSU football has showcased flashes at times this season where they have proved to be a top-25 defensive unit.

The Seminoles currently rank 95th in the FBS in total defense, allowing 400.8 yards per game. While the number is a bit inflated given that they played two quality offenses in LSU and Clemson, FSU has seen success when it has been aggressive with getting after the opposing quarterback. It’s also not a great metric to rate how good a defense is because many factors influence it.

As I alluded to in my article discussing how the Seminoles’ defense stepped up when it mattered most versus Clemson, the blitz from linebacker Kalen DeLoach (which resulted in a 56-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown) changed the outcome of the football game.

The coaching staff made the appropriate adjustments in the second half and overtime, where they made the Clemson offense uncomfortable.

The question is: Will the FSU defensive unit carry that same type of intensity for the remaining eight regular season games?

How do FSU’s opponents fare in total offense?

Here is a breakdown of what the remaining opponents’ offenses look like in terms of total offense rankings on Florida State’s schedule:

•Virginia Tech (107th in the FBS; 329.2 YPG)

•Syracuse (8th in the FBS; 507.8 YPG)

•Duke (49th in the FBS; 425.5 YPG)

•Wake Forest (48th in the FBS; 426.5 YPG)

•Pittsburgh (112th in the FBS; 317.0 YPG)

•Miami (7th in the FBS; 519.0 YPG)

•North Alabama (423.0 YPG)

•Florida (55th in the FBS; 412.5 YPG)

Analysis

Florida State redshirt senior defensive back Jarrian Jones spoke with the media after the Seminoles’ victory over Clemson, and he stated that bringing pressure to their offense rather than sitting back and waiting on them was the key in obtaining the win.

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller certainly has a talented group of defenders who are ready to make their presence felt, especially against opposing offenses viewed as lackluster at best.