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Game Preview: Florida State Seminoles vs. LSU Tigers

It doesn't get any better than a top-10 matchup to kick off the season.

Austin Veazey

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We have made it, ladies and gentlemen! Florida State Football is back...with higher expectations!

READ MORE: Deion Sanders Claims He's Not A Seminole In Wild Exchange

The No. 8 Seminoles will be facing the No. 5 Louisiana State Tigers for the second season in a row, this time in a heavily anticipated Top-10 matchup to start the season. Both teams come in with high expectations, and will be hoping this game is the start of a run to the College Football Playoff, and it all begins Sunday night at 7:30 PM on ABC from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. 

Seminole Headlines

Florida State's Revamped Offense

Mike Norvell's offense in 2022 was top-20 in points per game, top-15 in rushing yards per game, and top-10 in total yards per game, yet they decided that wasn't prolific enough. Florida State added explosive former Michigan State wide receiver Keon Coleman, versatile former South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell, 2-time All-American at Shorter University in tight end Kyle Morlock, and proven offensive line depth in Jeremiah Byers, Casey Roddick, and Keiondre Jones, all via the transfer portal. Coleman and Bell are expected to start right away, and Byers and Morlock should be key pieces in the rotation and see heavy playing time. 

Norvell then added five-star wide receiver Hykeem Williams, four-stars Vandrevius Jacobs and Goldie Lawrence, as well as finally welcoming 2021 signee Destyn Hill to Tallahassee. Hill was listed as a co-starter on the depth chart that was released Monday, while Williams and Jacobs will surely figure into the rotations at certain points this season. With Trey Benson and Lawrence Toafili back in the running game, four of your five starters along the offensive line back and better than ever, Johnny Wilson and Kentron Poitier back out wide, Winston Wright looking fully healthy, and Jordan Travis manning the helm, this has a chance to be the best offense in college football. 

Defensive Line Depth

Another unit that should be among the nation's best is Florida State's entire defensive line. Jared Verse decided to come back to Tallahassee and give it one more go, and is a projected Top-10 pick if he can grow on what he showed on the field last year. He'll pair with reigning ACC Newcomer of the Year in Patrick Payton, who ended last season with 5 sacks and will be a fearsome tandem flyingoff of the edge. They'll have some help in Byron Turner and South Carolina transfer Gilber Edmond behind them. 

The interior is where the real strength is. Fabien Lovett comes back and hopes to stay healthy, as Florida State is a much better team when he is on the field. Alongside Lovett is former Western Michigan transfer Braden Fiske, who Verse has said is one of the few people he has ever met that can match his intensity, and was one of the more sought-after transfers on the market this offseason. 

There is also an insane amount of depth behind Fiske and Lovett, and that's even without Miami transfer Darell Jackson, who hasn't been allowed to play thus far by the NCAA who denied his waiver after a second transfer, though Coach Norvell is still hopeful that gets overturned. With Joshua Farmer, Dennis Briggs (who can play inside or out), Daniel Lyons, Malcolm Ray, and Ayobami Tifase all waiting in the wings, it should be extremely difficult to run on Florida State this season. 

Secondary Concerns, For Both Teams

While cornerback shouldn't be an issue for Florida State, having added All-ACC performer Fentrell Cypress in the portal to go with Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones, Greedy Vance, Azareye'h Thomas, the safety position is a big concern for fans. Akeem Dent is back, though he needs to stay healthy to live up to his potential, Shyheim Brown is looking to lock down a full-time role after coming on strong at the end of last season and saving the game against LSU, and Kevin Knowles II moves over from CB to provide some experience. Behind them are a whole bunch of newcomers; four-star Conrad Hussey will likely have some opportunity right away, while JUCO addition Ashlynd Barker and freshman KJ Kirkland may have to play in spot duties as well. Florida State is likely hopeful the front six will be so good that the back end won't have to worry too much. 

For LSU, Zy Alexander has looked the part of the next great cornerback in Baton Rouge so far in the preseason, while Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut has been solid in his career. Behind them, there are a ton of question marks. Ohio State transfer JK Johnson suffered a fractured leg in camp a few weeks ago, and is out for the foreseeable future. Texas A&M transfer and former five-star Denver Harris just missed a week of camp due to "handle personal matters." The Tigers will be relying on true freshman Ashton Stamps for depth behind them, and will likely have Sage Ryan in the slot, who graded out fairly poorly last season in coverage. 

At safety, Major Burns returns for another season in Baton Rouge, and is set to be the vocal leader of this secondary, and will be paired with another returner in Greg Brooks. They'll have Tulane transfer Andre Sam behind them, who has made a big impact in camp, but like FSU, there's not a ton of depth back there that FSU will likely want to take advantage of with their towering wide receivers. Burns and Alexander are listed at 6'2", but no other expected major contributor is listed over 6'0", which might be a problem against a Florida State team that features 6'7" Johnny Wilson, 6'4" Keon Coleman, 6'3" Kentron Poitier, 6'4" Deuce Spann, 6'3" Darion Williamson, 6'3" Jaheim Bell, and 6'6" Kyle Morlock. 

Jordan Travis vs. Jayden Daniels

If you look at BetMGM's current Heisman Trophy odds, you won't have to scroll very far to find these two players. Listed right behind reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams of USC, you will find LSU's Jayden Daniels second at +1000, and Jordan Travis tied for third at +1200. These two dynamic Quarterbacks are hoping to lead their teams to victory, and can do it either through the air or on the ground. Travis was solid in this matchup a year ago, going 20/33 for 260 yards and 2 TDs, while adding another 39 yards on the ground, while Daniels started slow in the air, but still ended up 25/34 for 209 yards and 2 TDs while adding 114 yards on the ground; LSU's only real ground presence in last year's game. 

How the defenses prepare and scheme for these two will be fascinating. LSU linebacker Harold Perkins is a superb do-it-all player, so it'll be interesting to see if the Tigers uses him as a spy or if they use him in other means. For Florida State, Linebackers Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune will likely have their hands full with Daniels when he evades the pocket; his legs were a big reason LSU was able to move the ball at the start of the game. 

Whichever team wins this game will give their quarterback a way-too-early "Heisman Moment."

Burning Questions

Does a lack of a Week Zero game hinder Florida State at all?

The Seminoles had a warm-up game last year with a matchup against Duquesne to prepare for LSU, but won't get that luxury this year. All accounts say this team is focused and ready for the battle, but until they show it on the field, it's something to wonder about. 

LSU didn't get a Week Zero game last year either (though they tried to get one this year to offset Maason Smith's suspension) and looked a little sluggish to start the game last year. It'll be interesting to see how these two teams look early on in this game. 

How Healthy Are These Two Teams?

While it seems both are relatively healthy, we do know FSU's Ja'khi Douglas and LSU's John Emery and Maason Smith (suspension) will be unavailable, whereas FSU's Fabian Lovett and LSU's Armoni Goodwin, Josh Williams, and Kimo Makane'ole are still getting healthy. Lovett has had his best week of practice this week, but it's fair to wonder how much he'll play considering the depth on that defensive line and just how banged up he's been since the middle of last season. 

Who Can Contain the QBs?

It's fair to say there's likely no stopping either Jordan Travis or Jayden Daniels, but can either team slow them down at all? Florida State will likely be a little more focused on taking away Daniels' running ability, but he's got the weapons in Malik Nabers, Mason Taylor, Brian Thomas, and Kyren Lacy to do damage through the air. I wish LSU the best of luck in containing Travis, who made massive strides as a passer last season to go with his incredible running threat, and it's safe to assume he's only going to be better this year. 

LSU's Harold Perkins and Omar Speights and FSU's Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune face some big tasks ahead of them, though I wouldn't be surprised if Florida State runs three safeties at times to have Shyheim Brown act as the spy, while Kevin Knowles and Akeem Dent roam the back end of the secondary. It's fair to assume whichever team does a better job at limiting the other team's QB stands a big chance at winning this game. 

Game Prediction

LSU currently sits as favorites by 2.5 points, with an over/under of 56.5, both according to BetMGM. 

There's no doubt LSU will want to get one back for FSU's win last year. Because of how the game ended, I think many people forget that Florida State largely dominated the game, and if Treshaun Ward hangs onto the pitch on the goal line, FSU wins by two scores. Some of that may have been due to FSU's Week Zero game, which they don't have the luxury of this year. 

All eyes will be on Orlando Sunday night for this matchup, but I think Florida State's extremely talented receiving corps will be the difference maker in this one. 

Florida State 37 LSU 31

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

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Lead basketball writer; Former FSU Men's Basketball Manager from 2016-2019

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