FSU football: Top 10 BOLD predictions for 2024 season
By Kelvin Hunt
No. 3 FSU defense will allow fewer than 4.75 yards per play
FSU dealt with some injuries in 2022 on its defensive front, which ultimately impacted their numbers. However, they finished that season allowed 4.85 yards per play, which ranked No. 14 nationally. The 2023 unit was better than the 2022 unit in many ways, but yards per play allowed wasn't one. The 2023 unit allowed 5.02 yards per play, which ranked No. 24 nationally. However, the starters opting out of the Orange Bowl game against Georgia pushed that number past five.
I think this 2024 unit has a real shot to go below the 2022 mark. They have better depth along the defensive front. The secondary should be better, and they have better depth at the linebacker position. The key to besting the 2022 number is improving against the run and not missing as many tackles. They also need to get off of the field without allowing so many first downs. The fewer plays they're on the field, the better this number will be.