FSU football: 5 keys to defeating Louisville Cardinals

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 25: Jack Plummer #13 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at L&N Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 25: Jack Plummer #13 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at L&N Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Limit Missed Tackles

Aside from looking to establish the running game, the Cardinals like to get the ball to their playmakers in space.

Not only will it be imperative to make tackles when Louisville runs the ball. However, they will throw a lot of motions and eye candy at FSU looking to cause confusion for their linebackers and secondary.

In these instances, it’ll likely result in one-on-one situations similar to what FSU faced against the Florida Gators last week. FSU safety Akeem Dent played arguably his best game in the garnet and gold last week and won every one-on-one situation in the open field.

Had Dent not made those tackles, Florida likely would have had more offensive success on the scoreboard than they did.

The FSU defense will need to limit these types of plays to 7-10 yards instead of 20+ yard gains. Louisville likes to take advantage of overly aggressive and undisciplined defenses.

Luckily, FSU usually plays sound football defensively. However, when the Louisville offense is humming, it’s usually because teams don’t tackle well.