Previewing FSU, Discussing Canes and Noles Rivalry
In this story:
It’s a blood rivalry. Miami versus Florida State. When the Hurricanes and Seminoles get together, it’s often something special. There’s a lot of statistical data and overall thoughts about the Seminoles below, plus a podcast that gives more of a personal perspective on the 2023 FSU team.
Previewing the FSU team this season, it’s also fun to see that the Noles and Canes are assembling more and more talent and that there will be some really good games coming up over the next few years, 2023 as well. That's why this preview goes a little deeper than some other ACC previews that will be completed.
Head Coach Mike Norvell (18-16 during his first three seasons in Tallahassee)
Records From 2018-2022
2018
: 5-7
2019
: 6-7
2020
: 3-6
2021
: 5-7
2022
: 10-3
2022 Offensive Statistics
Number in parenthesis is FSU’s 2022 national rank
Points Per Game
: 36.1 (16)
Third Down Conversions
: 51.2% (4)
Rushing Touchdowns
: 33 (15)
Yards Per Carry
: 5.5 (8)
Yards Per Pass
: 8.9 (6)
20-Plus Yard Passing Plays
: 60 (13)
First Downs
: 315 (18)
2022 Defensive Statistics
Average Points Allowed
: 20.6 (20)
Sacks
: 40 (10)
Tackles For Loss
: 84 (39)
Third Down Defense
: 35% (37)
Interceptions
: 8 (92)
Fumble Recoveries
: 8 (47)
20-Plus Yard Passing Plays Allowed
: 31 (13)
Top Offensive Players
Jordan Travis, Quarterback, 226/353, 64%, 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. 82 carries, 417 yards, 5.1 average, and 7 touchdowns.
Trey Benson, Running Back, 154 carries, 990 yards, 6.4 average, and 9 touchdowns.
Johnny Wilson, Wide Receiver, 43 receptions, 897 yards, 20.9 average, and 5 touchdowns.
Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, 58 receptions, 798 yards, 13.8 average, and 7 touchdowns. He came to FSU from Michigan State.
Which #FSU wide receiver has more receptions in 2023?#Noles
— canesandnolesrivalry (@canesandnoles) July 30, 2023
Of importance, the Seminoles bolstered their offensive line via the Transfer Portal. Combining those players with the returning offensive linemen, the Noles have over 200 starts (per Phil Steele) along the offensive trenches. That’s an incredible statistic.
Top Defensive Players
Braden Fiske, Defensive Tackle, 59 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
Jared Verse, Defensive End, 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks.
Tatum Bethune, Linebacker, 84 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, an 3 sacks.
Watch Out For?
Patrick Payton, Defensive End, 31 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks (as a freshman)
He’s a player that’s on the rise. While only a true sophomore, Payton has the length and size (6-5 and 245 pounds) to be a true threat off the edge. How well he plays versus the run will determine if he’s become a complete player.
Playing Top Competition
FSU has been poor against the best competition in recent years, but 2022 saw a revival of sorts. The Noles won against LSU (24-23), Louisville (35-31), Miami (45-3), Florida (45-38), and Oklahoma (35-32), and lost to Wake Forest (31-21), North Carolina State (19-17), and Clemson (34-28).
Winning or being in a one-score game against the best teams the Noles faced, that’s a sign that the program has figured out how to be competitive in the most trying of times. Now, will that carry over to the 2023 season?
Sometimes winning teams hold a special bond. However, it’s not a guarantee that Norvell and his squad find that magical elixir again in 2023.
What Does FSU’s Do Best?
Run the football! The Noles understand the run-pass option game, outside zone, and finding a variety of ways to place Travis in a position to be one-on-one with a defender while still possessing the option to throw the football. That’s tough to stop, especially with such an experienced offensive line creating holes for any given runner.
Going Up Top?
There’s size galore with Wilson (6-7, 240) and Coleman (6-4, 210), plus there’s proven playmaking ability with both of them. Additionally, there are several other Seminoles contending for playing time at the slot receiver position, as well as backing up Wilson and Coleman.
Look for the Noles to utilize a lot of play-action passes that balances out the running game that Norvell prefers to operate. It’s a safe bet that FSU will challenge defenses vertically.
FSU’s Defense Is Good When?
They can play with a lead and the pass rush can pin its ears back and come after the signal caller. Any team that wins versus the Noles will likely do well with its running game. Keep them off balance, and then FSU’s defensive line has to be careful about not being too aggressive.
How To Defeat FSU?
On offense, power football first, capitalizing on red zone chances and that means touchdowns and not field goals. Then, making Travis a one-dimensional player from the pocket. To that last point, he’s going to make plays. Travis just cannot do it running and passing.
Miami, or any other team FSU will face, must keep Travis in the pocket and force him to make the bulk of his completions from the pocket. There are more chances for turnovers that way, and he’s not killing the opposition with his legs if he's kept in the pocket either.
If the Canes can keep Travis in the pocket, safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams will probably get opportunities to make plays on the football, as will the rest of the Canes secondary.
2023 Schedule Overview
Sep. 3 - LSU (Orland at Camping World Stadium)
Sep. 16 - @ Boston College
Sep. 23 - @ Clemson
Oct. 21 - Duke
Nov. 4 - @ Pittsburgh
Nov. 11 - Miami
Nov. 25 - @ Florida
Difficult schedule for the Noles? Probably best described as a schedule with pitfalls. LSU, Clemson, Duke, Pittsburgh, Miami and Florida are not easy, but it’s just that the Seminoles do not play either of North Carolina or North Carolina State. That’s a good deal for FSU.
Looking at the game dates, FSU’s trip to Boston and then heading to Clemson shortly after getting back to Tallahassee could be troublesome. Same situation with heading up to Pittsburgh and then hosting Miami one week later.
Overall, the Noles are one of the best teams – at least on paper – in all of college football. Now let’s see what their chemistry and leadership will be like. Regardless of record, look for the Miami at FSU game to be tremendous!
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