LSU TIGERS VS FLORIDA STATE-THE GAME TO WATCH IN WEEK 1

Jun 7, 20233 min read

Updated: Jul 18, 2023

The LSU Tigers will face off against Florida State in what is sure to be a Top 10 matchup. The series dates back to the 1968 Peach Bowl (won by LSU 31-27), and the Seminoles hold an 8-2 advantage. Last season, Florida State secured a thrilling victory with a walk-off blocked extra point.

It’s been 40 years since LSU has beaten Florida State. The Tigers will have surely have revenge on their mind in Brian Kelly's second season in Baton Rouge.

LSU Will have leadership at the Most Important Position on the Field

QB Jayden Daniels returns to lead a talented Tigers offense, and is the top returning quarterback in the SEC in 2023. Daniels transferred in from Arizona State last season

He passed for 2913 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only three INTs, and completed 68% of his passes. Daniels also made plays with his legs, rushing for 885 yards and another 11 scores. He even caught a 5-yard TD pass!

That's over 3800 yards of total offense and 29 TDs accounted for by Daniels. He is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the country this year, and his performance has placed him in the Heisman dialogue...

A Look at the LSU Tigers Offense

Daniels will once again have WR Malik Nabers to throw to. Nabers caught 72 balls for 1017 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. In the 63-7 rout of Purdue in the Citrus Bowl, Nabers caught 9 of Daniels's passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.

He then repaid the favor by throwing a 5-yard scoring toss to Daniels in the lopsided victory.

Daniels will also target WR Brian Thomas, Jr. (31 catches, 361 yards, 5 TDs) and TE Mason Taylor (38 catches, 414 yards, 3 TDs). Against Alabama, Taylor caught a 7-yard scoring pass late in the 4th quarter to give LSU the lead. Then he made the biggest catch of his young career, scoring the 2-point conversion in overtime to upset the Tide 32-31.

It will be running back by committee again in 2023 until someone steps up and becomes a leader. Noah Cain returns after scoring 10 rushing TDs (2nd for the Tigers), as does Josh Williams (6 rushing TDs), and Armani Goodwin (5 rushing TDs). Highly touted freshman RB Trey Holly could also see action. Holly is the all-time leading rusher in Louisiana high school history.

In addition, all five starters return on the offensive line.

LSU Tigers Defense Could be Mean and Nasty

The LSU defense returns some experienced and skilled players.

DL Mekhi Wingo replaced an injured Maason Smith and was on the 2021 All-SEC team. Wings made 46 tackles, with six tackles for loss, three sacks, and forced a fumble.

DL Maason Smith returns from a knee injury that cost him the entire 2022 season. He was a 3rd Team All-American by the Associated Press (AP). He has, however, been cleared and ready to anchor the defensive line. In 2021, Smith recorded 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks.

LB Harold Perkins, Jr. burst onto the scene like gangbusters last year as a true freshman. He racked up 73 tackles,14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one INT, and forced four fumbles.

LB Greg Penn III was second on the team in tackles with 77. In addition, he recorded six tackles for loss, and he broke up two passes.

DB Greg Brooks, Jr. was fourth on the team in tackles with 65. He also made three tackles for loss, one sack, and he intercepted two passes.

LB Omar Speights is an Oregon State transfer, where he recorded 308 career tackles. He led the Beavers with 83 tackles and eight tackles for loss. As a result, he earned 1st Team All-Pac 12 honors.

The Tigers also went out and loaded up on players from the transfer portal, filling needed positions like the defensive secondary. They acquired talented players like Zy Alexander (SE Louisiana), Denver Harris (Texas A&M), Deuce Chestnutt (Syracuse), JK Johnson (Ohio State), and Andre Sam (Tulane).

Florida State Returns 16 Starters

The Seminoles return experience (8 on offense, 8 on defense) and are equally talented on both sides of the ball. They have tall receivers (6-7 and 6-3) which could cause matchup problems for LSU. DE Jared Verse leads the Seminole defense.

Final Analysis

LSU gets its revenge. Daniels will show why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and the Tigers' defense seizes the day in week one of the 2023 college football season.