Florida State Offense Preparing For Top-10 Showdown Against LSU

In less than a week, the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles will take a trip down to Orlando, Florida for a rematch against the No. 5 LSU Tigers inside Camping World Stadium. Last year the 'Noles willed their way to a 24-23 victory over the Tigers with a blocked extra point as time expired.

"They get blocked, but they don't stay blocked," FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins said of the Tiger defense ahead of the matchup. "They understand leverage. They know how to attack schemes."

Both teams are expected to be thin at multiple positions. The 'Noles announced Monday that slot receiver Ja'Khi Douglas would be unavailable for Sunday's game and LSU star defensive tackle Maason Smith will miss the opener after a one game suspension dating back to an alleged pre-NIL violation.

With Douglas being out the 'Noles will have to rely on redshirt senior Winston Wright, Jr. and star freshman Destyn Hill who are both listed as co-starters in the slot position but Atkins and the Seminoles feel confident in the two filling that role.

"Destyn came in and went right to work, and Winston has been working all he can since he's got here. He just had the unfortunate accident. He getting his body back prepared, but this last scrimmage he really showed us some things," Atkins said. "Both of those guys I have trust in and believe that'll go out there and execute at a high level."

Another addition in the offseason to go in tandem with standout wide receiver Johnny Wilson is Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman who hit the ground running in fall camp and hasn't appeared to look back.

"The thing that people don't see is his preparation mentally," Atkins said on what Coleman brings to the table. "I think that's what kind of sets him apart. Yeah, he's a big, athletic, especially talented player, but what allows him to come in and pick up so quickly is that he understands concepts, he knows the game, he understands situations."

LSU sophomore linebacker Harold Perkins, Jr. didn't make an impact in last season's bout, only tallying a single tackle as a freshman but he would go on to earn First Team All-SEC honors with 72 tackles, 13 for a loss, and 7.5 sacks as the season went on and it will be up to the veteran FSU offensive line to hold him at bay.

"I'm anticipating, he's gotten a lot stronger. But he's the guy that we've got to be aware of where he is on the field. He's shown the ability to play linebacker, spy quarterbacks, rush the passer – I mean, a unique ability."

As the first game of the season and the only game in primetime on Sunday night, all eyes will be on the two programs to kickstart a highly anticipated 2023 run.

"It's the first game. I'm pretty sure they've got some things that they've changed and tweaked their personnel, Atkins said. "Now we do have a lot more film on them and things like that, but they've got film on us, and everybody adapts in one year...We're gonna put a game plan together based on what we believe, but you also have to be ready for the things they put in and new looks."

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