Thank God FSU Doesn't Play Duke at Home!

I took some time deciding how I wanted to approach this blog after the fallout from the USF loss.

Since I was at the game live and in person with another good friend who is an alumni, booster, and season ticket holder, I would first like to thank the administration, coaches, staff, and players for having to listen to deafening chants of "USF, USF, USF" while leaving Doak. That was a real pleasure and words cannot express my gratitude.

I am so proud to be a fan of the Noles and watch USF take squatters rights at DOAK. I have to admit that time did not make me less upset, or help me understand that patheticness I witnessed on Saturday. As my good friend pointed out as the Noles lolly-gagged out on to the field for what they apparently thought was going to be a USF lay-down. He called it from the moment they took the field and boy was he ever right.

Shame, pathetic, disgusted, baffled, hurt, and shock are just a few words that come to mind when looking back on the performance of the Noles that Saturday. Especially coming off a magnificent performance at BYU which now is all for not.

I am officially a FSU Fan and will always be, but now the administration, coaches, staff, and players must earn my trust back. I will not tolerate another performance by the Noles like I witnessed on Saturday live and in living color.

"Winners make sacrifices. Losers make excuses."

USF Prediction

FSU Should win this game even when Matt Grothe was slated to be in this game. I don't think there will be a significant drop off at the QB position from an athletic standpoint. B.J. Daniels can play and he is returning home to Tallahassee. USF has circled this game all year and it is their opportunity to make a statement within the state of Florida as far as recruiting and the nation as far as the Big 3 in Florida (FSU, Miami, and the Gators).

Florida State should do excellent on Offense and come at USF with that balanced attack. USF will have more speed than BYU but probably not as disciplined as BYU. The FSU Defense should be faster than what B.L Daniels is comfortable with but the FSU Defense must be ready for a dual threat QB. With that said they do practice against Ponder everyday.

USF hasn't played any body and FSU has played in 2 big-time games already this year. That will play a factor as FSU will have a significant edge mentally for this game.

The game is sold out and the students have got all their tickets. The crowd should be electric and this will significantly energize the Noles.

FSU 31 USF 17

BYU Highlights........On to USF

USF Game Update

Senior QB Matt Grothe has torn his ACL agianst Charleston Southern last week and is out for the season. He had started 41 straight games and is a very good QB. Best wishes to him.

RS FR B.J.Daniels and true freshman Evan Landi will be required to play QB for USF.

Noles need to work harder this week to ensure that an unknown doesn't come in and guide USF to a win.

Now That Was FSU Football!

The Florida State Seminoles traveled to Provo Utah to face the very good #7 BYU Cougars. What ensued was a beating behind the wood shed as FSU dominated every facet of the game. A FSU victory was predicted on this blog of FSU 31 and BYU 21, but everything I thought would happen just happened better than imagined.

Keys to the Game

FSU had 49 rushing attempts, 33 of those attempts went to RBs.
FSU had 313 yards rushing "BAM" to quote Emeril.
FSU averaged 6.4 yards per carry
FSU converted 80% of its third downs

FSU had 0 turnovers
BYU had 5 turnovers

Special Teams were consistent. We had a missed extra point and a missed field goal but #18 Hopkins never lost his composure and made all the other extra points. He also made two field goals. His biggest impact was continually booting the ball near the back or completely out of the back of the endzone so BYU had no return opportunities at all.

Fundamentally these are the main factor to the reason FSU destroyed BYU.......now on to some game balls and their are many to pass around.

Offense

1st Game Ball goes to the O-Line. They were magnificent. Datko, Hudson, McMahon, Spurlock, and Sanders.

2nd Game Ball goes to Ponder. He was 21 out of 26 for 195 yards and 2 TDs. He also had 11 carries for 77 yards and a TD. His toughness and determination were key to this win.

3rd Game Ball goes to Fortson. He lead FSU in receiving with 6 receptions for 62 yard and a TD. He only dropped one pass and he was interfered with on that play.

4th Game Ball goes to Ty Jones. he had 12 Carries for 108 yards and a TD. He was not going down on the first hit.

Every single player that played an offensive play really deserves a game ball but these were some of the standouts.

Defense

1st Game ball goes to Greg Reid. He had an INT for a TD were a much bigger TE pushed him and he held on and made the play. I think since they both contacted each other and it was within 5 yards the refs let it go and Reid made the play. He is 175 pounds of guts and determination.

2nd Game Ball goes to Dionte Allen. He actually covered their WRs and made tackles. In all actuality the DBs were tremendous this game. FSU was all over their WRs but they were making some great plays.

3rd Game Ball goes to Mister Alexander. He made the sack, if I am not mistaken on the 4th down attempt by BYU which truly sealed the game.

The defense was superb flying to the ball and causing turnovers. Job well done.

I was a little disappointed and some unsportsman-like-conduct penalties late in the game by the Offense but all in all a truly wonderful showing by the NOLES.


To quote Jimbo Fisher...."We have crossed the line and their is no going back."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Catching Some ACC Action

I watched the GT @ Miami game tonight and that game made me feel better about my BYU prediction. FSU was a catch away from beating Miami and now FSU is an after thought. As Lee Corso would say "NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!"

Why did Miami dominate Georgia Tech? The answer is very simple. Jacory Harris is getting all the press right now and rightfully so. He is looking really good, but true winning football is pounding the rock down your opponents throat and stopping the the rock from being pounded down yours.

UM had 39 rushing attempts
UM had 184 yards rushing
UM averaged 4.7 yards per carry
UM converted 61% of its third downs

Folks that is winning football.

Defensively Miami shot through the gaps quickly and did not over run the play. They were causing havoc in the GT Backfield disrupting the timing of the option.

Clemson pretty much stopped the GT Option after getting down by 24 points and Miami dominated them. Has the ACC learned how to deal with the GT Option? Time will tell.

BYU Prediction (SOD Game)

It has been nothing but doomsday for the Seminoles since the loss to Miami. Panic has spread throughout Seminole nation after squeaking out a win against 1-AA Jacksonville State and the Pollsters show no love for the Noles at 1-1.

There was a players only meeting following the JSU win, and from the character I have personally seen, this was more than likely effective. They are holding themselves accountable.

Jimbo recognizes the lack of running game and vows to fix that and he has added, "we are healthier now at the RB position since Jermaine Thomas has rested following a minor injury in the Miami Game."

Coach Trickett is on the OL like poop in a dirty diaper. They cannot talk until they block.

Defense is making adjustments: #10 Nick Moody is now the Rover over Korey Mangum. #5Greg Reid is more involved with the base defense. # 36 Dakota Watson is being used at DE.....He is forth in the Nation in Sacks with 4.5.

BYU against Oklahoma

33 Rushing Attempts
28 Yards Rushing
.8 Yards per carry
47% Third Down conversions
329 passing yards.
OU couldn't get BYU off the field. While BYU's rushing numbers were laughable they had enough attempts to keep the OU Defense honest. FSU must make 3rd down stops and I think that FSU will keep BYU's 3rd down % to around 35 which will be good.

BYU against Tulane (These stats are what FSU should have done with JSU)

45Rushing Attempts
206 Yards Rushing
4.6 Yards per carry
66% Third Down conversions
These won't be the numbers they get on FSU, but this shows they know fundamental winning football.

With the adjustments that FSU has made on Defense coupled with having time to prepare and remember JSU runs the same defense as BYU so FSU will not be shocked.

I expect that Jimbo and Trickett have made the necessary adjustments to improve the rushing game and with Ponder performing like an ALL-ACC Candidate FSU should be fine in this department.

FSU 31 BYU 21

It Aint Rocket Science!

You want to know why we lost to Miami and struggled against JSU a Div 1-AA School......well I will learn ya.

2008 Season Rushing Statistics:

FSU Averaged 37 rushing attempts per game.
FSU averaged 179.1 yards per game.
FSU Averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
FSU's 3rd down conversion percentage was 46.2%


The Miami Game

FSU had 30 rushing attempts.
FSU had 110 yards.
FSU Averaged 3.7 yards per carry.
FSU's 3rd down conversion percentage was 40%


The JSU Game

FSU had 26 rushing attempts.
FSU had 78 yards.
FSU Averaged 3.0 yards per carry.
FSU's 3rd down conversion percentage was 36%

It is always about running the football. It is the most fundamental aspect of winning football. Running the football keeps the clock running. It keeps the other team's offense off the field. With the other teams offense off the field it sure makes your Defense real good.

Class dismissed!

Never Miss a Noles Game Again!

Justin TV is an Internet site that you can watch the Seminoles live even if they are not being broadcasted locally.

http://www.justin.tv/

I have the site on my links part of the blog.

Here comes the BOOM!

JSU game is officially behind us. I leave you with a taste of whats in store.

FSU Loses a Committment

Corey Miller **** DT de-committed to FSU and Committed to Tennessee over the weekend. He will join fellow Byrnes High school Teammate Brandon Willis.

FSU Was Ripe For The Picking

Well where do I begin:

1. 2 Days to prepare for a team because FSU played Miami on a Monday Night. Miami isn't playing until next Thursday (GT).

2. JSU had a very good QB in Ryan Perrilloux who did not play against GT in their opener. Remember a Southern Miss Team led by a certain QB named Farve who beat FSU.

3. The first half of the game was a hard steady rain. Rain negates speed because of the short choppy steps needed to not slip. Cuts aren't as crisp on wet grass either.

Keys to the Game

Rushing: FSU is very disappointing in rushing the football in their first 2 games. FSU had 26 attempts for 78 yards. Take away Ponder's 7 carries and and receivers getting end-around plays you get 15 rushing attempts the whole game for the RBs. UNSATISFACTORY. This cannot be the trend for FSU in the ACC or against BYU. This is very disturbing Mr. Fisher. FSU did score 2 TDs by way of Ty Jones but this is a huge concern.

Turnovers: FSU 3, JSU 1. FSU capitalized on the one they got under 2 minutes left in the game but teams very rarely win when they lose the turnover battle. Weather had its play in this but our players need to know this and hold on to the ball extra, extra, extra, tight. Jaccobi McDaniel caused a fumble that was picked up and returned for a TD by Kevin McNeil to seal the game.

Stupid Penalties Senior CB Mr. Patrick Robinson roughed the Punter late in the 4th quarter when FSU was losing to give JSU an automatic 1st down. Words could not express my joy over this one at the time.

Special Teams: A missed FG and 2 missed extra points were the glorious result of the FSU kicking game. Greg Reid had one good kick return and he did return punts as well but nothing spectacular for the game.

FSU lost every key to the game with the exception of 2 rushing TDs and still won. They over came other intangibles to still win the game. Sir Issac Newton couldn't figure this one out but FSU did win in spite of it's self.

I had the privilege of being in attendance for this game and I have some thoughts:

FSU Fans SUCK. 83,000 strong was more like 55,000 weak. The Gators sellout against Charleston Southern and we almost don't get to half capacity at DOAK. For those that did show up and with stood the rain we were loud and did participate well. It was an honor to pay the price of suffering in the rain with the team. They didn't give up and neither did the fans who did show up.

After the game I met Christian Ponder and shook his hand and he told me "Thanks for coming". Anytime Mr. Ponder.......anytime.
I also met Jaccobi McDaniel who is just a very humble person. Nicest kid you can ever meet. God Bless and stay healthy young man.
Every player exiting Doak took the time to sign autographs, take pictures, and talk to the kids. My hats off to the FSU Players. I thought they were very Classy. I was very proud.

You may wonder why I don't rip into FSU players that much. If you saw all the players exiting the stadium with ice strapped to their ankles, knees, and other joints then maybe you would understand too.

Injuries: I only saw #10 Nick Moody (RS FR) Safety who started over Korey Magnum at rover get helped off the field. Markus White or Kevin McNeil had cramps it looked like. I don't think either one was very serious. Both walked off the field on their own power.

Knee-Jerk Reactions

I am reading alot of Doomsday articles on other sites and I can understand the disappointment. I predicted the UM Upset, but I am also predicting FSU to play for the ACC Championship. The Defense will get better over the season. If I were King and could make the changes on Defense it would start with Mr. Greg Reid starting at Conrner over Jenije. I am not getting on Jenije, its just that Greg Reid is that good. He almost made a case for himself as the best player on the field last night.

Jaccobi McDaniel is a stud. He starts the rest of the way.

I put Brandon Jenkins at Left DE or Demonte McCaillister at Left DE. Demonte was out with a knee injury but It doesn't sound too bad.

I tell Jamie Robinson to stop coming up for run support just stay back all the time. I would do this because he is a flippin FREE SAFETY

Updated Player Rankings going into Week 2

Updated Rankings:
1. Rodney Hudson (JR OL)
2. Christian Ponder (RS JR QB)
3. Greg Reid(FR CB)
4. Caz Piurowski (SR TE)
5. Andrew Datko (SO OL)
6. Ty Jones (SO RB)
7. Nigel Bradham (SO LB)
8. Jaccobi McDaniel (FR DT)
9. David Spurlock (SO OL)
10. Markus White (JR DE)

Well, I Was Right.......But I Didn't Wanna Be.

I had predicted a Miami Upset in a close game. I predicted the upset based on a young defense, because fundamentally defense wins championships and the FSU Defense isn't there yet. Make no mistake it will be but not yet.

Review the keys to the game:

FSU Rushing yards: 110 Yards 1 TD by Ponder
UM Rushing yards: 90 Yards 3 TDs by Running Backs.
UM Won this matchup.

FSU Turnovers: (2) INT before Half by Ponder, and Fumble on a drive that was moving well.
UM Turnovers: (2) INT by Greg Reid and an INT by Marcus White for a TD.
This matchup was even. UM capitalized on the FSU turnovers as well.

FSU Stupid penalties: ZERO. I thought the pass interference call on P. Robinson was a bad call.
UM Stupid Penalties: (1) UM Kicker late hit out of bounds on Greg Reid led to great field position and a score for FSU.
FSU won this matchup.

FSU Key injuries: None: J. Thomas was benched for some reason for Ty Jones but he was not injured.
UM Key Injuries: None: plenty of cramps all over the place by UM but FSU didn't capatalize.

FSU disappointments: J. Fortson dropped too many balls including the potential Game winner, FSU Running Game, and FSU Pass Defense

FSU Accolades: Greg Reid, Freshman (K) Hopkins had two long Field goals...yes he missed an extra point but didn't get discouraged.

Final Thoughts: After Week 1, these are the 2 best teams in the ACC. If there is a rematch in the ACC Title game, FSU will win it.

Miami @ FSU (Keys to the Game)

The team that has more success running the football will win:

FSU Rushing yards:
UM Rushing Yards:

The team that doesn't turn the ball over will win:

FSU Turnovers:
UM Turnovers:

No stupid Penalties. 3rd and 20 and a penalty gives an automatic 1st down or 4th and 10 and a roughing the Punter occurs. Things of that nature.

FSU stupid Penalties:
UM Stupid Penalties:

No key injuries:

FSU Key Injuries:
UM Key Injuries:

Week 1 Review Pre FSU-Miami Game

The ACC was atrocious. The only victories came from teams that played cupcakes. All the games of significance the ACC lost. Wake Forest lost to Baylor, VT lost to Alabama, and Maryland got destroyed against Cal. For Pete's sake Richmond and William & Mary beat ACC Teams (Duke and Virginia).

Impressive Wins: CAl, BYU, Boise St., Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma St., and Alabama.

Ugly Wins: Ohio State, Iowa, and LSU

Biggest Impact: BYU's knockout of Sam Bradford and subsequent victory.

Worst Moment: Oregon's RB LeGarrette Blount's post game meltdown.

Commitment 14

FSU has a QB in this class:

Clint Trickett *** QB 6'2" 175 Lbs from Tallahassee North Florida Christian has committed to the Seminoles.

Son of OL Coach Rick Trickett. Best performing QB at the Seminole Showtime.

Was thought to be headed to Arkansas because he didn't want to play for his Dad.

Depth Chart

Every Year is excellence for FSU. That is the goal. Let's start setting the expectation for FSU as National Championships once again. Demand excellence and you will get excellence.

The Depth Chart going into Miami is linked. What I notice is youth at many back up positions. Good! It would appear they earned it.


http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090109aaa.html