The wait is over. College football is back, with week one reaching its climax on Sunday when the fifth-ranked LSU Tigers take on No. 8 Florida State. The Noles outlasted the Tigers when the two programs played in 2022. Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals will be looking to return the favor in his second year at the helm.
LSU vs. Florida State – What to Watch
New Year, New Expectations
As their rankings would indicate, both teams will enter 2023 with high expectations. Jordan Travis returns at quarterback for the Seminoles. Fans and media alike have come around on Travis. Even today, not many realize that PFF graded him higher than any quarterback in the country in 2022.
Florida State has added transfer wide receiver Keon Coleman from Michigan State to a talented group of pass catchers, further fueling the hype machine behind the program. Former South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell is now in Tallahassee. He’s secured a starting position in an experienced and productive position room.
LSU has added talent, but much of the excitement surrounding the program revolves around the returning talent on the roster and coaching staff. The Tigers return the head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and starting quarterback in 2023. More importantly, they return them from a team that won the SEC West last year. The continuity in the program is invaluable, especially when it comes to the comfort level of the quarterback.
Sunday’s matchup will pit two talented teams and conference contenders against each other. This will be a very closely matched contest, as evidenced by the 2.5-point spread in favor of LSU. As always, the game will come down to matchups, so let’s take a deeper look at the critical matchups that will decide the winner.
FSU Passing Offense vs. LSU Secondary
We’ve mentioned Travis, Coleman, and Bell from Florida State, but their offensive threats in the passing game don’t stop there. 6’7” Johnny Wilson is a walking mismatch who averaged 21 yards per catch in 2022. Travis will not hesitate to pull the trigger if Wilson is downfield in single coverage. The Seminoles will also start Destyn Hill at receiver, a deep threat and Louisiana native.
LSU is proven at safety with the return of Major Burns and Greg Brooks. Cornerback is currently the biggest question mark on this team. Southeastern transfer Zy Alexander has ideal size at 6’2”, 188 pounds, but the fact remains that he is a Southeastern transfer. That doesn’t mean he can’t play on a national stage. His quick ascent to the top of the depth chart would indicate that he can. It’s simply an unknown.
Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut has been impressive at times during Fall camp but was usurped by nickel back Sage Ryan as a starter in the final Fall scrimmage. That was only one practice, so it wouldn’t be wise to assume Ryan’s start was due to Chestnut’s struggles. However, it is not encouraging.
It wouldn’t be shocking if LSU held their own against the Seminole receiving corps. After all, last year’s secondary was also an unknown that sent three players to the NFL. Matt House will find out fast, as FSU will test his secondary early and often.
LSU Defensive Line vs. FSU Offensive Line
Who needs great corners if there’s no time to throw? Savion Jones returns at defensive end for LSU. He brings more explosiveness as a pass rusher than his predecessor, Ali Gaye. Starting Jack linebacker and Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo’s sack numbers aren’t exactly breathtaking, but he’s shown the ability to be disruptive.
Although sophomore Quency Wiggins plays the same end position as Jones, House has shown the ability to creatively get players in a position to make plays. Wiggins is a player LSU needs to step up as a playmaker for the defensive line to reach their potential.
Harold Perkins is not a defensive lineman, but he will rush the passer situationally. Perkins’ move to inside linebacker will make it even tougher for offenses to prepare for him.
Nobody will confuse Florida State’s offensive line with the Dallas Cowboys, but they are a good group. The pressure is on LSU to win this battle to help their secondary.
LSU Offensive Line vs. FSU Defensive Line
This could be the most intriguing matchup of the day, as Florida State had its way with the LSU offensive line in 2022. Future first-round defensive end Jared Verse started the game by knocking Will Campbell off his feet and six yards into the backfield.
That version of Campbell was an 18-year-old freshman. This year’s version is a returning starter, preseason All-SEC pick, and team captain. The emergence of Emery Jones and Charles Turner further solidified an offensive line that returns all five starters.
It’s critical for the LSU offensive line to give Jayden Daniels time to throw, but even more important for it to establish a running game. By rushing effectively, LSU can make play-calling easier, keep the defense honest, and open up play-action shots down the field. Last but not least, the success of the offensive line can keep the ball out of Travis’ hands.
