LSU Football: Three Key Takeaways from LSU's Defeat against Florida State

LSU suffered a dramatic collapse in the second half of their Sunday night matchup against No. 8 Florida State at Camping World Stadium. The combination of Jordan Travis and Keon Coleman proved to be too much for LSU's secondary.

LSU Football: Three Observations From LSU's Loss to Florida State

In the second half, Brian Kelly's team was outscored 31-7, as the Seminoles embarked on a remarkable 31-0 run at the start of the final two quarters. They never relinquished their lead and secured a convincing 45-24 victory over the Tigers.

So, what were the key takeaways from Sunday night's game? Here are three observations from LSU's Week 1 loss to Florida State:

1. Complete Breakdown in the Secondary

In the passing game, Florida State excelled, with Jordan Travis throwing for a total of 342 yards on 23-of-42 attempts and accounting for four touchdowns. LSU had no answer for this Heisman candidate, as Travis consistently exploited the vulnerabilities in their secondary.

2. Keon Coleman's Outstanding Debut

Keon Coleman, a Louisiana native and star wide receiver for Florida State, put on a dominant performance in his Seminole debut. The transfer from Michigan State arrived in Tallahassee with high expectations, and he more than lived up to them. By halftime, Coleman had already amassed four receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. However, his impressive display was far from over.

In the second half, Coleman continued to outperform LSU cornerback Duce Chestnut, shining in the red zone with his third touchdown of the game. When the final whistle blew, Coleman had accumulated nine receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns. It was a complete collapse by LSU's secondary in the second half, and the Seminoles' deep threat capitalized on every opportunity.

3. LSU's Secondary Lineup

LSU fielded Zy Alexander and Duce Chestnut as the cornerbacks, with Greg Brooks, Andre Sam, and Major Burns rounding out the rest of the secondary. However, this lineup was unable to contain Florida State's passing attack and struggled to cope with the dynamic duo of Jordan Travis and Keon Coleman.

It was a grueling night for Chestnut, and despite managing to secure an interception early on, the showdown with Coleman ultimately took the spotlight, with Coleman emerging victorious in nearly every snap.

Where was Harold Perkins?

LSU linebacker Harold Perkins had a career-high 28 coverage snaps while only rushing the passer seven times last night against Florida State. This decision left many perplexed, given that Perkins is one of college football's premier pass rushers.

During his freshman year, Perkins excelled as a pass rush specialist. However, during the offseason, the sophomore transitioned to an inside linebacker role for the Tigers. While it was clear this would be his new position, Kelly and his coaching staff emphasized that Perkins would still have versatility in his positioning.

Fast forward to Sunday, and the choice to primarily deploy Perkins in a coverage role became a major talking point. One of the most dynamic pass rushers in the country was used in a way that hindered the Tigers' ability to contain FSU quarterback Jordan Travis.

Lack of a Ground Attack

LSU decided to start Kevontre Bradford against Florida State in a perplexing decision that initially proved effective. However, after the first few drives, with Noah Cain and Josh Williams also entering the mix, the running game vanished.

Bradford kickstarted the game with a 55-yard wheel route on the first play, providing an immediate spark. However, the underutilization of the running back group left many scratching their heads.

Florida State's formidable defensive line played a significant role, but once again, the Tigers relied too heavily on Jayden Daniels.

At the end of the day, LSU managed 113 rushing yards, which might appear decent on paper. However, two substantial breakaway runs by both Daniels and Josh Williams significantly inflated these numbers. The Tigers struggled to establish a consistent ground game, reminiscent of last season.

Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs didn't see any playing time due to a "coach's decision," according to Brian Kelly, with Bradford, Cain, and Williams serving as the primary running backs.

Moving forward, it is crucial for this program to tap into its deep pool of running backs in order to establish a balanced offensive approach as SEC play begins.