Florida State vs. LSU: Three Players to Watch

Who needs to step up on Sunday for the Seminoles to defeat the Tigers for the second consecutive season?

361 days.

It has been roughly 361 days since Florida State and Louisiana State lined up against one another down in New Orleans in the Caesars Superdome. Two pedigree programs in the college football world, the Seminoles and the Tigers, engaged in a back-and-forth clash right down to the wire. For 361 days, the LSU Tigers have sat with the memory of a 99 yard drive to tie the game in the waning moments of the fourth quarter and the haunting images of a blocked PAT. For 361 days, the Seminoles have held bracing rights over their SEC foes.

READ MORE: Brian Kelly Sends Bold Statement Ahead Of Season-Opener Against Florida State

3 days.

In three days, these bitter foes will take the field again, but this time, there’s more on the line than just bragging rights. Come Sunday night, the Tigers will take to the road and face off against the Florida State Seminoles in Camping World Stadium to kick off the 2023 season. Nearly a year later, these two programs both find themselves in contention for the College Football Playoff. LSU has boasted a horde of returning starters, headlined by the return of dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels. Despite a few last-minute roster changes, the Tigers have earned the respect of the college football world at large and find themselves one spot out of the top-4.

Florida State, meanwhile, has been the topic of conversation among nearly every media outlet and college football pundit. After a tumultuous six years following the departure of Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles finally find themselves back in the national spotlight. They’ve acquired some of the nation’s most sought-after transfer portal prospects; they’ve found success on the recruiting trail; they return the majority of their 2022 production; they boast a Heisman hopeful quarterback, multiple NFL Draft prospects, and a top-notch culture. Put simply, the ‘Noles are — on paper — one of the most talented teams in the country. The question now becomes: Will it translate into success?

The stakes are at an all-time high for a Week 1 matchup, and the entire college football landscape will watch with bated breath to see if Brian Kelly’s Tigers complete their quest for revenge or bear witness as Mike Norvell’s Seminoles prepare to make a statement. Ahead of this highly anticipated, top-10 matchup, let’s take a look at a few players that could push Florida State to a victory.

Jordan Travis, Quarterback

The summer has been kind to Jordan Travis. Amidst the NIL deals and national praise, the veteran has emerged as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks. Having been on the brink of quitting the game altogether a few years ago, Travis now enters 2023 with the most hype around a Seminole quarterback in nearly a decade. All eyes will be on #13 when the ‘Noles take the field in Orlando, and the reason is obvious: Will the hype be realized on the field?

He sits among the top of nearly every major award list, the Heisman included. He’s listed in the top 12 for nearly every school record list that pertains to career offense and top 20 in career rushing yards at FSU. He finished the 2022 campaign with 3,214 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, and the 7th best QBR in the nation (85.8). And now, his numbers have the potential to take a major leap this year largely due in part to the sheer amount of offensive weapons at his disposal.

Last year against the Tigers, Travis notched an impressive 20 completions for 260 yards, 2 TDs, and a QBR of 91.1. The ‘Noles will need yet another solid performance from their quarterback come Sunday, but given the level of talent on this roster and the strides he has made in his own development, many believe he’s capable of even more. Make no mistake, the Seminole offense runs through Jordan Travis, and Sunday’s game will give fans their first look at what he is capable of in his final year.

Patrick Payton, Defensive End

Let’s get one thing straight: Jared Verse is the clear-cut headliner for the defensive end position group. Everyone knows it, including LSU. The Tigers are going to be hellbent on limiting his effectiveness and keeping him out of the backfield. Whether or not they succeed at doing so, the ‘Noles will need another defensive lineman to keep the pressure on Jayden Daniels and his offensive line.

Enter Patrick Payton.

Payton appeared in all 13 games for the Seminoles in 2022 and recorded 31 tackles, 5 sacks (most among ACC freshmen), one forced fumble, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. His performance garnered national acclaim and earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, Devaughn Darling Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Freshman All-American Honorable Mention by College Football News (per Seminoles.com).

Now in his redshirt sophomore season, the 6 foot 5, 239-pound edge rusher stands to solidify himself as a formidable presence in the trenches. Not to mention, the emergence of a Payton-Verse one-two punch would undoubtedly terrorize opposing offenses. Whatever way you spin it, keep an eye out for what kind of presence Patrick Payton has on the field come Sunday. 

Destyn Hill, Wide Receiver

This one’s just pure anticipation. We all know the story by now: A talented Hill commits to FSU, disappears for a few years, and finally makes his triumphant arrival before the start of the 2023 season. However, what was once an eagerness to simply have Hill in the program has since transformed into an eagerness to see how prominent a role he plays. Reports out of practice have been promising for the young receiver, and his appearance on the depth chart as a co-starter in the slot position (appearing alongside the likes of Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, and Winston Wright) has fans on the edge of their seats. That eagerness and anticipation will come to a head when Destyn Hill returns from a two-year football hiatus, dons the Garnet #7, and finally makes his collegiate debut. 

From newcomers like Keon Coleman, Braden Fiske and Jaheim Bell to veterans like Trey Benson, Kalen DeLoach, and Fabien Lovett, this roster is littered with impact players, draft prospects, and human highlight reels. Florida State has a talented roster of individuals and any one of them could have easily made this list. It's that sheer amount of talent that has propelled the 'Noles into the national conversation, and it's the combination of said talent that Florida State will need in order to beat the Tigers on September 3rd. 

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READ MORE: Florida State Seminoles Release Depth Chart For Top-10 Matchup Against LSU Tigers

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