Let’s be up entrance and trustworthy: the Florida State Seminole protection has been fairly unhealthy to begin this season. They gave up 17 factors and practically 300 passing yards to New Mexico State within the season opener, then adopted that up by giving up 430 passing yards to SMU final week in a loss. They do have 3 interceptions by two video games, although, so it is not as unhealthy because it may very well be, I suppose.
DC Tony White returns after a 12 months with combined leads to 2025. A 12 months in the past, I stated this in our examine on White’s scheme:
Identical to with their with the offense, the Seminoles additionally completely overhauled their protection to enter the 2025 season after giving up an atrocious 28 factors per recreation final 12 months. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller was fired, and the Noles employed Tony White from Nebraska. White was an enormous rent for FSU, as he is gained a number of Recruiter of the 12 months awards and has been a Broyles Award nominee a few occasions at each Nebraska and Syracuse.
White brings a 3-3-5 stack defensive scheme to the Noles, and I am going to lean on our brethren at Tomahawk Nation for some distinctive items they’ve written on the protection.
The wanting it’s that they’ll blitz, a LOT. The formations shall be pretty versatile relying on the gamers within the recreation, however they will be blitzing from each angle attainable in an try and preserve the offensive line confused.
As with most groups lately, FSU has largely turned over their beginning forged from final 12 months, however just a few key gamers have returned. Chief amongst them is defensive sort out Mandrell Desir, who led the staff with 6.5 sacks a 12 months in the past on his solution to incomes a nod as a Freshman All-American. His twin brother, Darryll, can be now a starter on the road as properly.
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At linebacker, Ryan Kennedy has transferred in from Texas A&M as a multi-year contributor as a rotational move rusher with 3.5 sacks for the Aggies, and Chris Jones has transferred in from Southern Miss to play the center linebacker after being named a 1st staff All-Solar Belt participant a 12 months in the past whereas racking up 134 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
They did lose Earl Little Jr. to Ohio State (man that man actually likes to switch, huh?). However veteran Ashlynd Barker retains his security function as a multiyear starter, as does nook again Ja’Bril Rawls, who began 7 video games final 12 months and did break up one move vs Alabama. They’ve additionally introduced in CJ Richard from the FCS ranks as a man who was an FCS Freshman All-American and is trying to present himself within the subsequent league up.
If there have been ever a “get proper” recreation for Alabama’s Keelon Russell, this needs to be it. The Noles’ move rush has been subsequent to non-existent, they usually’ve allowed 700 passing yards already by two video games. Their speeding protection has been first rate, although, for what’s that price. They’re solely permitting 3.7 yards per carry, and Southern Miss switch linebacker Chris Jones looks like he will be an enormous piece for them.
Now, granted, I wasn’t too offered on this unit a 12 months in the past, and Alabama’s offense struggled with them some, however I feel they’ve backslid since then, and this shall be in Tuscaloosa, with the Tide already having a few video games to heat up.
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I feel this winds up being the Keelon Russell breakout recreation we have been on the lookout for, with the younger QB throwing for over 300 yards and the Tide scoring one thing like 35 factors or so.
