LSU vs. Florida State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The LSU Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles face off in a highly-anticipated matchup Sunday night. Which team has the edge? Matt McCuen breaks down the LSU vs. Florida State game and shares his pick.
Matt McCuen - September 3, 2023, 9:49 AM EDT
7 minLSU vs. Florida State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The LSU Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles will clash from Orlando on Sunday night for a much-anticipated matchup.
LSU vs. Flordia State Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 3, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
LSU vs. Florida State Prediction
These two storied programs have loads of history and played in one of the best games of the season in 2022. The Tigers appeared to be dead in the water, but after a Florida State fumble on the goal line, LSU marched down the field and scored a touchdown to cut the game to just one point. LSU appeared ready to tie the game, but a blocked extra point would end the game as the Seminoles held on.
Florida State finds themselves ranked inside the top five entering the season. The Noles, ranked eighth in the nation, will look to prove why on Sunday night. Florida State has a lot to be proud of in its program history, including three National Championships, but the last five years have been subpar. Prior to last season, Florida State had four consecutive losing seasons, which is unacceptable for a program of this magnitude.
Mike Norvell is the man tasked with bringing this program back to glory. Norvell came to Tallahassee after four seasons at the University of Memphis. Norvell put together a record of 38-15 in his tender at Memphis. Norvell struggled in his first two years at Florida State, going 3-6 in his first year and 5-7 in 2021. 2022 was a key year for Norvell, and he responded in a big way, helping lead the Noles to a 10-3 record, which was their first double-digit winning season since 2016 under Jimbo Fisher.
Jordan Travis will be the star of this Noles team. Travis was outstanding in 2022, throwing for 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Travis also rushed for seven touchdowns. The Senior is seen as a legitimate contender to win the Heisman Trophy Award this season.
Overall, the Noles will be returning eight offensive starters, which is vital for an offense that ranked 16th in scoring in 2022. Experience is so crucial, especially early in the season, and Florida State has plenty of it.
Florida State returns two of their top playmakers. Wide Receiver Johnny Wilson broke out in 2022, putting up 879 yards and five touchdowns. The Noles also return their lead back Trey Benson, who rushed for nine hundred ninety yards in 2022.
The Noles may have the best defense in the ACC, headlined by future first-round pick Jared Verse. Verse ranked first on the team in sacks last year and brings tons of speed and force to this defense. Sophomore Patrick Payton will return to the defense. Payton ranked second on the team in sacks and won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Noles picked up some talent in the portal as well, landing Miami transfer Darnell Jackson Jr and South Carolina transfer Gilber Edmond. Defensive Coordinator Adam Fuller will be in his fourth season running this Seminoles defense.
LSU enters the season with a lot of hype for a good reason: ranked number five in the nation. The Tigers went 10-4 a season ago after back-to-back years of being .500 or worse. This program is proud and often considered one of the staples of college football. LSU has won five National Champions, three of which have come since 2003.
Brian Kelly will be in his second year at the helm for the Tigers. Kelly, who came over from the University of Notre Dame, did an outstanding job in year one, taking a six-win team to a ten-win team. Kelly, who is a three-time Coach of the Year, had a heck of a resume before landing the LSU job. Kelly strung a record of 34-6 at Cincinnati, followed by a record of 92-40. Kelly has twelve double-digit winning seasons as a coach despite his wins from 2012 and 2013 being vacated.
Senior Jayden Daniels will attempt to lead the Tigers to a National Championship this year. Daniels has the skill set to do so and has the surrounding roster to do so. Daniels transferred to LSU after playing three seasons at Arizona State. Daniels enjoyed the best year of his career in 2022, throwing for 2,913 yards paired with 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Daniels also rushed for 885 and 11 touchdowns, making him one of the most lethal dual-threat QBs in the nation.
Malik Nabers is considered to be one of the best wide receivers in college football, and he will be the top target of Daniels this season. Nabers put together a massive campaign in 2022, leading the team in receiving yards (1,017). LSU feels as if they upgraded their backfield as they landed former Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs, who was recruited out of high school by Kelly. Diggs rushed for 822 yards a season ago.
The most important note for the Tigers is that all five of their starting linemen return, and similar to the Noles, eight starters will be back for the Tigers. Mason Taylor, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, is considered one of the nation's best tight ends. History shows us Brian Kelly's success with tight ends, and it will be fun to see what Taylor accomplishes this year.
LSU is strong upfront on the defensive side of the football, but question marks surround the secondary. LSU was aggressive in the transfer portal, landing multiple high-profile players, including Denver Harris, who is a transfer from Texas A&M. Harold Perkins Jr. is slated to be the star of this defense after taking the conference by storm as a freshman.
LSU vs. Florida State Pick
The Noles played their best football at home a season ago, and the atmosphere will be electric on Sunday night.
It is important to note that these teams are talented enough to win a National Championship. Each unit has experienced quarterbacks, offensive lines, and professional head coaches.
The most significant advantage that Florida State has is its defense. Entering the season, you could make the case that this is a top-five defense, and in a game where you are splitting hairs to find an advantage, this could be the X-factor.
In a game that should be tightly contested throughout, I will take the dog with the points at home.
LSU vs. Florida State Pick
Pick: Florida State +3 -118 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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