The Washington Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions on Saturday night by a score of 45-31. Vegas had the Lions as heavy home favorites. However, the Commanders had the services of former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This is ChopChat, where we discuss Florida State athletics, why are we talking about the Commanders-Lions game and former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels?
Let's flashback to that dreaded December day when the College Football Playoff decided that an undefeated Florida State team was left out of the "invitational" for a one-loss Alabama team. The Seminole fan base was frustrated by the way that the committee disrespected the 2023 squad.
That team was truly special. I realize the offense had pieces such as Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman, and Jaheim Bell, all in the NFL. Plus, the committee thought that Jordan Travis was the only reason the Seminoles succeeded. That notion couldn't be more further from the truth.
Travis was an exceptional player who will be remembered for a lifetime. I know that the 2023 team will always be remembered for the playoff snub, but that defensive unit was elite in its own right.
Some of the star defenders include Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Fabien Lovett Sr., Kalen DeLoach, Tatum Bethune, Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones, and Akeem Dent. Players such as Verse, Fiske, Green, and Jones have shined in their rookie years.
The Seminoles got the better of the former LSU Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in the 2023 season opener where he completed 22 of 37 passes for 346 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception in a blowout 45-24 loss for the Tigers.
Daniels did not win the 2022 matchup either. He completed 25 of his 34 passes for 209 passing yards and two touchdowns, but Shyheim Brown's block sealed the deal for the Seminoles in a 24-23 win.
Florida State's 2023 defense deserves its flowers for giving Jayden Daniels nightmares every time he faced off against them. It is just another reminder of how corrupt college football is for not allowing that defense to compete for a national championship.