Brian Kelly on players' mindset for Florida State rematch: 'They want a second chance'

Florida State has been enjoying bragging rights over LSU for an entire year following last season’s one-point victory over the Tigers in Orlando.

Entering 2023, both teams have massive expectations and head into Week 1 both ranked in the Top-10 of the preseason AP Top 25 poll. Tigers head coach Brian Kelly praised FSU for the job they’ve done since their last meeting but isn’t letting go of the notion that LSU was in the driver’s seat to win the game toward the end.

“Well, I think they certainly remember what happened and the way it ended certainly where there was a lot of momentum on our side and we lost it by not executing a PAT. If you look at it from that perspective, I think they want a second chance,” Kelly said on Sunday morning during SEC Nation. “And now they’ve got to go out and prove it. Florida State is an outstanding football team. They’ve got playmakers and we do too.

“This is going to be a game where obviously you’re going to have to take care of the football, special teams will be important. All those things that coaches talk about will play out. But the great players will rise up and we’ll see them on display on Sunday night.”

The thrilling 24-23 display saw Florida State overcome LSU thanks to a last-second missed PAT from the Tigers. Regardless of the outcome, both teams ended up outperforming expectations last season which has caused this matchup to be so highly anticipated.

During the original matchup last September, LSU star quarterback Jayden Daniels ended up contributing 323 total offensive yards and combined for two scores against the ‘Noles, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to get the job done. 

Florida State also boasts one of the best QBs in the nation in Jordan Travis, who finished last year’s game by completing 20-of-33 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns — a similar performance would put him, and his team, on the right track for both the Heisman Trophy and a College Football Playoff berth.

A win could do the same for Daniels and the Tigers, which is why this game serves as one of the most important non-conference matchups of the early season.

Kickoff between No. 5 LSU and No. 8 Florida State is set for 7:30 p.m. ET inside Camping World Stadium in Orlando live on ABC. Per Vegas Insider, the Tigers serve as 1.5-point betting favorites over the Seminoles heading into Week 1’s finale.