Harold Perkins, Jordan Travis matchup will dictate LSU-Florida State game

The biggest key to LSU–Florida State in the opener is the matchup for Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins and Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis.

Perkins is arguably the top defender in all of college football while Travis is on some Heisman Trophy projections this year. If Travis can burn LSU with his arm and legs, it’ll be a long day for the Tigers.

But On3’s J.D. PicKell pointed out Perkins is the right man to contain Travis.

“The first matchup that I am looking at very very closely is Harold Perkins, the defensive weapon for LSU (and) we’ll call him a linebacker for the sake of this conversation, and Jordan Travis, Florida State’s quarterback,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “So the thing that I’m watching really closely with this match up is Harold Perkins. Remember how he was utilized last year for LSU? He was like a magic eraser. They wanted to try and take out of the game from a gameplay standpoint.

“Hey Harold, quarterback is hurting us with his legs. Harold Perkins, spy on him. Done, Harold, this running back has been an issue for us, he’s so versatile, he’s multiple, that’s the answer right there. Done.”

This is a matchup to watch out for the entire game. Basically, Perkins’ main responsibility throughout the entire contest is to stick with Travis, unless the ball is elsewhere.

“I think for Harold Perkins in this game, we’re going to see a lot of what I just referred to a second ago, they’re really going to use him to spy on Jordan Travis,” PicKell said. “What does that mean? To break it down simply, if Jordan Travis rolls to the right, Harold Perkins, you’re responsible for rolling with him. Jordan Travis, he wants to tuck in and run to the left? Harold Perkins. Same deal. You’re with him.

“Harold Perkins, if Jordan Travis goes up to the concession stand at halftime because he wants some popcorn and he wants a coke, you’re going with him. Okay, so you are assigned to Jordan Travis the entirety of the game.”

Last season, Travis threw for 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 64% completion percentage and added 417 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Perkins as a freshman meanwhile, finished the 2022 season with 72 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and four forced fumbles.