The final game of Week 1 involving an SEC program, LSU and Florida State are set to meet Sunday night in one of the nation’s top matchups this weekend for the 2023 Camping World Kickoff. A Top 10 showdown, this is a rematch from a year ago, a game in which Florida State narrowly defeated the Tigers in New Orleans by a final score of 24-23 to open the 2022 season.
Led by head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers are ranked as the nation’s No. 5 overall team according to the preseason AP Poll, and are coming off a season in which they went 10-4 overall, as well as 6-2 in SEC play. In what was the first year under Kelly in Baton Rouge, LSU would win the SEC West, with this also being their first 10-win season since their national title winning 2019 campaign.
The Tigers were one of the SEC’s top offensive teams a year ago by averaging 34.5 PPG, and also return their starting quarterback off that same team in Jayden Daniels, who accounted for 28 total touchdowns last season. LSU also returns multiple running backs such as Josh Williams and Noah Cain, along with pass catchers such as Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Mason Taylor, and more.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed 22.5 PPG to opponents a year ago, and return one of the SEC’s top playmakers on that side of the ball in sophomore linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.. Also returning are names such as Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith, while the Tigers have also added multiple notable names through the transfer portal on defense.
Led by head coach Mike Norvell, Florida State sits at No. 8 nationally in the preseason AP Poll, and are coming off a season in which they finished 10-3 overall, as well as 5-3 in ACC play. This was the Seminoles first winning season since 2017, as well as their first 10-win campaign since 2016.
The Seminoles also return their starting quarterback from last season in Jordan Travis, who leads an offense that averaged 36.1 PPG last season to rank among the top of the ACC. Also back are others such as Trey Benson, Johnny Wilson, and Lawrance Toafili, among others, while also having added transfers such as Jaheim Bell.
Florida State’s defense was also among the best in the ACC a year ago, with the Seminoles giving up an average of 20.6 PPG to opponents. Back for the Seminoles is one of the nation’s top pass rushers in Jared Verse, along with others such as Tatum Bethune, Kalen DeLoach, Renardo Green, and Akeem Dent, among others.
LSU vs. Florida State Line, Spread, Over/Under
LSU is a 2.5-point favorite over Florida State in the 2023 Camping World Kickoff as of Friday, with the over/under at 55.5 according to FanDuel. The Tigers are also -130, while Florida State is +108.
LSU vs. Florida State 2023 Camping World Kickoff Prediction
As mentioned at the start, this matchup in New Orleans a year ago was a classic between LSU and Florida State, and you should expect this meeting in Orlando to be no different. A showdown that should be close, I’ll say that the Tigers avenge last seasons loss to Florida State on Sunday night, and that LSU begins the season with a close win to move to 1-0. Prediction: LSU 28, Florida State 24
What Channel is the LSU vs. Florida State Game On?
LSU and Florida State will meet for the 2023 Camping World Kickoff on Sunday, September 3 at 7:30 PM ET. The game will take place from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL, and will be available to watch on ABC.
LSU vs. Florida State Live Stream
The matchup between LSU and Florida State on Sunday night can be found on fuboTV here.