Film Study: Can LSU exploit Florida State’s linebackers?
When analyzing the matchup between Florida State and LSU, there’s a lot of time spent on the perimeter. It’s easy to get enamored with the receiver vs. cornerback matchups or the dynamic defensive ends, or the quarterbacks in this game, but the linebacker play is perhaps one of the underrated aspects of the game.
LSU enters with two All-SEC linebackers in Harold Perkins and Omar Speights, while Florida State has two returners in Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach who had their share of struggles last season. The question becomes, how can LSU exploit the potential limitations of the Seminoles’ linebacker play?
Here, I wanted to focus on the two returning starters for Florida State, looking at their games against Florida and Clemson, then looking at their Pro Football Focus grades to see if they match up. I’ve said it before, but I personally don’t treat PFF like it’s the end-all be-all. There’s plenty of nuance to be had when analyzing players, but it’s a good data point. With that out of the way, let’s get into it.
LB Tatum Bethune
Bethune is a redshirt senior who transferred in from UCF last season and ended with 84 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. PFF graded Bethune at 70.6 overall, which ranked 22nd best in the ACC. His run defense graded out at 72.4 with his pass coverage at 60.1. I turned on the tape, and it was clear he has good awareness and was the thumping linebacker for the Seminoles last year, but he had deficiencies in a few areas we can get into.
He was sure-handed as a tackler throughout the two games I watched. The defense needed him to be a quality run-filler, which he did adequately.
He also rushed the passer on a few occasions and showed some real pop off the edge, explaining his three sacks and multiple pressures he had on the season.
The shortcomings for Bethune come in space. He’s not quick laterally, struggles to get from sideline to sideline, and has clear limitations in coverage that Clemson exposed on a few occasions. Here you can see a simple crossing pattern he failed to be pick up, forcing the safety to come all the way down to be in position to make the play.
There are several tight end or slot options LSU can feature if FSU decides to leave the middle of the field covered with these linebackers in zone. Last year, I noticed that Bethune wasn’t used in man coverage much at all. Ideally for FSU, he’s used as a pass rusher in passing downs.
LB Kalen DeLoach
Another redshirt senior, DeLoach has started for two straight years and ended 2022 with 65 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. PFF was not generous when grading DeLoach, giving him a 59.9 overall grade, ranking 40th in the ACC.
DeLoach had a 48.1 run defense grade and within two possessions I could see why. He’s a weak tackler at the point of attack, has poor vision, and does not have the strength to get off blocks at a high rate. Plays like these were extremely common,
This is an example of his poor ability as a gap filling backer.
His strength is with his lateral quickness, complimenting the weakness of Bethune at linebacker. He had a 66.9 coverage grade by PFF and was tasked with manning up against running backs and tight ends against Clemson. He defended Will Shipley on several flat routes and was in position, but unable to make the tackles. Shipley had five receptions in three quarters.
Clearly, the hope is that you can run the ball at DeLoach without the fear of him blowing up the play. If a tight end or offensive linemen can get to the second level, DeLoach won’t be able to fill the gaps at a high level.
Overall
Mike Denbrock and the LSU offensive staff is well aware of the shortcomings of this linebacker duo and has had all offseason to scheme up ways to attack it. We’ve talked at length about the Seminoles’ defensive line, but the questions at linebacker are real and the secondary is also not an elite unit.
There’s a window for LSU’s offense to be dynamic and make plays in this game, but it’s going to take a team effort to exploit their deficiencies around the defensive line. the run game can hit seams to gash the Seminoles who ranked 40th in run defense EPA or look to target them in the pass game. A lot of people feel good about the over and after watching more tape of this defense last year, there’s reason to expect the Tigers to break 30 in this game with this level of play at linebacker and the questions at safety. Is it enough to win the game? We’ll find out on Sunday.
The post Film Study: Can LSU exploit Florida State’s linebackers? appeared first on On3.
