On3 Roundtable: Florida State-LSU game in 2023 is ‘make or break’ for both sides

College football fans and analysts across the sport have their eyes set on the September 3rd matchup between LSU and Florida State in Orlando. With such a big contest early on between two of this season’s contenders, Warchant’s Ira Schoffel expects there to be a lot on the line for both the Tigers and the Seminoles.

Schoffel said as much on the ‘On3 Roundtable’ in a conversation with Andy Staples. He recalled what last season’s gripping 24-23 win for FSU meant for both teams last fall. Now, with both teams expecting to jockey for playoff contention, Schoffel sees this game as a pivotal one, regardless of how early it is.

“I mean the reality of is when Florida State beat LSU? I don’t know that Florida State fans realized how good LSU would become. And I’m not sure LSU realized how good they could be in their first year under Brian Kelly,” Schoffel said. “They were coming off of a tumultuous thing where their coaching staff got fired. I thought they got better and more confident as the year went on. I think Florida State got better and more confident as the year went on.”

“That game was exciting but I think this game will be played at a much higher level,” said Schoffel. “There’s much more stakes on the line. It feels kind of like a make-or-break game for both teams. It would be such a huge win for each.”

When it comes to the College Football Playoff, two losses is often a nail in the coffin. With only four spots at the moment, a pair of defeats all but end your hopes for a national title. That’s why this matchup is the kind of game that could propel one team into the season and potentially end it for the other with one loss from the jump.

In order for Florida State to be the one that comes out victorious, Schoffel said it will come down to the battle between their offensive line and the Tiger’s defensive line. It’ll take the right game plan from the ‘Nole’s staff in order to work their offense around a talented LSU defense.

“I think the challenge for Florida State is going to be, even though as good as they’ve gotten and as much depth as they have on the offensive line, that LSU defensive line? You’re talking about a school that produces first rounder after first rounder after first rounder after first rounder on defense. And they’ve got a bunch of guys who look like that caliber right now,” Schoffel explained. “That’s going to be the challenge.”

“If Florida State and Alex Atkins and Mike Norvell can scheme up things in the trenches to kind of give Jordan Travis and those playmakers time? I think Florida State can have another big game and I like their chances to win the game,” said Schoffel.

Still, Schoffel said nobody in Tallahassee is getting ahead of themselves when it comes to this contest. They understand how much weight is on it and knows what will hang in the balance come kickoff.

“It’s going to be a test, man,” Schoffel said. “I don’t think any Florida State fans, going into this game, are downplaying what LSU presents. I mean it’s going to be a huge challenge.”