The Florida State Seminoles have one strength that can be very annoying for Notre Dame football
This has been a disastrous season for the Florida State Seminoles, currently sitting with a 1-8 overall record. The offense has averaged a pedestrian 14.4 points per game, while the defense has surrendered 27.3 points per game. It has been a frustrating season for head coach Mike Norvell and this Florida State team, who came […]
This has been a disastrous season for the Florida State Seminoles, currently sitting with a 1-8 overall record. The offense has averaged a pedestrian 14.4 points per game, while the defense has surrendered 27.3 points per game. It has been a frustrating season for head coach Mike Norvell and this Florida State team, who came into the year with high expectations.
On the offensive side of the football, there isn’t much hope for the Seminoles. They are rotating two quarterbacks, and have been decimated by injuries at both running back and offensive line this season. There aren't many expectations to turn that group around.
For as poor as the defense has been at times, there is still some optimism that the unit can get a whole lot better. A big reason for that expectation is because the unit does have a lot of talent to work with. That includes a very gifted defensive line that could give this Notre Dame offensive line some issues if they aren’t locked in.
Before the 2024 season began, there were some that believed that Florida State had an argument as the top defensive front in all of college football. We had talent evaluators and analysts all across the landscape hyping it up, and on paper, it made a lot of sense. They are led by defensive end Patrick Payton, who is one of the more naturally gifted pass rushers in college football.
Payton is, however, incredibly inconsistent. So is defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., who some were hyping up as a potential top 50 2025 NFL Draft prospect prior to the season. Obviously, neither has played up to the hype so far this year, combining for 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a pair in nine games played. When they are on, they are an issue, and Notre Dame has to be aware of them.
That front is complete with defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and former Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. Both have been a bit more consistent than Payton and Jackson, but there has been some up-and-down play as well. As a group, those four have combined for 98 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
While the Notre Dame offensive line has been steadily improving, this will be their most unique test in quite some time. You can argue that Texas A&M had the better overall unit, but from a pure talent perspective, the Seminoles are at least in the conversation. If they have an impactful game, they are gifted enough to give the Irish offense some headaches.
The biggest key is going to be for this Notre Dame offensive attack to slow down, and confuse the Florida State defensive front. If they limit the playmaking impact of that unit, then this game could get out of hand quickly. Notre Dame is the better team on paper, and should take care of business on Saturday night.
