FSU football: 3 HUGE reasons FSU defense has struggled in 2024

Faced Legit Dual Threat QB's

Although the FSU defense hasn't lived up to expectations, they have done a good job of keeping FSU in games when the FSU offense has done nothing. I'll get more into how that impacts things later. The FSU defense had the tough task of facing two of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the ACC in Georgia Tech and Boston College.

It was the first game of the season for both teams, so they theoretically had all offseason to prepare for FSU's defense. That's no excuse, but reality, and we know the issues Jordan Travis posed for opposing defenses when he decided to use his legs.

In the games where FSU didn't face a legit dual-threat guy? Those teams didn't have much success running the ball. Memphis had 65 rushing yards, and California had 107. FSU beat California and would have beaten Memphis if they had any semblance of an offense.

Southern Methodist and Clemson had two guys who could do damage with their legs and it showed up in the game. Dual-threat guys gave FSU's defense last year problems too. Jayden Daniels, Thomas Castallanos, and Kyron Drones had big games.

We'll talk about why FSU has had more problems against these type of offenses later.