FSU football: 3 reasons FSU defense could find its footing against Memphis
By Kelvin Hunt
Most FSU football fans expected the FSU defense to be the team strength in 2024. That hasn't been exactly the case, with FSU allowing 5.88 yards per play and 5.15 yards per rush. Opposing offenses have converted 56 percent of their third downs(14 of 25), with FSU only forcing nine third downs of 7 or more yards. In fairness, FSU has faced two dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks and two offensive lines with several veterans. The FSU offense hasn't done any favors for the FSU defense because they haven't been able to sustain many drives to help them stay off the field.
A game against the Memphis Tigers may be just what Adam Fuller needs to help the FSU defense find a form similar to what they had last year when they were dominant in the second half of the season. It's a better stylistic matchup than the first two games, and FSU at least has two games to use in preparation. Georgia Tech and Boston College had all offseason to prepare for FSU since it was their first games this season. Plus, Boston College had a new staff, so it was still a mystery how they would attack. Mike Norvell is familiar with Memphis as its former coach, and their head coach was Norvell's former offensive line coach. Here are three major reasons the FSU defense could find its footing on Saturday afternoon.