The long wait is almost over. The defending SEC West Champion LSU Tigers take the field again on Sunday night as they look to avenge last year’s one-point loss in the Superdome to Florida State. It’s a Top Ten matchup and here’s what LSU will need to do to avoid another season opening loss.
1. Bottle up Benson
LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they want to make Florida State one dimensional. To do that they need to make sure Seminoles running back Trey Benson does not get going. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season and can also catch the football out of the backfield. Benson only rushed for 16 yards on five carries last season against LSU. Treshaun Ward was the top back for FSU against LSU last season. When Ward suffered an injury during the season that’s when Benson became the guy.
2. Watch Travis try to go over the top
A big part of Florida State’s offense is big chunk plays through the air. Seminoles Quarterback Jordan Travis averaged 9.1 yards per passing attempt last season. That was tied for fifth best in the country. He’s got some receivers who can win one-on-one match-ups. FSU was led by six-foot-seven Johnny Wilson last season as he had 897 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Seminoles have also added six-foot-four Keon Coleman a transfer from Michigan State. Coleman starred at Opelousas Catholic
3. LSU’s Secondary will not be scared
Coach Brian Kelly admits the Tigers are not DBU as they need another recruiting cycle before they can start claiming they have an elite defensive secondary. But he also believes this 2023 secondary will not fear the Seminoles. That’s because they go up against one of the best passing offenses in practice every day. It will be interesting to see if Zy Alexander can make the jump from FCS, can Duce Chestnut be consistent and how does Sage Ryan look at outside corner after primarily playing at safety and nickelback during his LSU career.
4. Who runs the rock for LSU
LSU QB Jayden Daniels rushed for 885 yards last season. An LSU record for a quarterback. The goal is for him not to run for that many yards and lean more on a traditional running back. Armoni Goodwin is injured and will not play Sunday and John Emery will miss another season opener as he’s “unavailable” and will miss the Grambling game too. But there are plenty of other options led by Josh Williams, Noah Cain, and Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs. It will be interesting to see if Tre Bradford or freshmen Kaleb Jackson and Trey Holly can be factors as the season goes on.
5. Can special teams be solid?
Kelly would be the first to admit special teams were a bit of a wreck last season. The season opening loss to Florida State set the tone with two muffed punts and two blocked kicks. But Kelly feels much better about the special teams with Aaron Anderson as the punt returner. He says Damian Ramos has been outstanding as the field goal kicker in preseason camp and punter Jay Bramblett has been consistent. Also expect to see more starters play on special teams.
6. LSU’s offenses versus Verse
LSU’s Harold Perkins can make game changing plays on defense and Florida State defensive end Jared Verse can do the same thing. Kelly calls Verse a game wrecker. Verse had nine sacks last season and two of them came against LSU. He also had a blocked kick. Kelly says expect running backs and the tight ends to “chip on him” to slow his pass rush down. Verse is a likely Top 15 pick in next year’s NFL draft.
