Alabama-Florida State: A Battle of the Rising and Falling

Analyst Written on September 25, 2007

Nick Saban and his 3-1 Crimson Tide head to Jacksonville this weekend for a neutral-site game against Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles.

With a new coach and a strong start, Alabama looks to be a team on the rise. FSU, on the other hand, has fallen from the heights it once occupied as a national title contender.

When 'Bama has the ball...

RB Terry Grant is second in the league and top-20 in the nation with 120 rushing yards per game.

D.J. Hall, Alabama's leading receiver, will be getting his 18th-consecutive start Saturday alongside split end Keith Brown. John Parker Wilson can throw to those two and Matt Caddell, making for a high-octane passing game.

Wilson must make good decisions, as FSU notched two interceptions against Colorado last week, both of them by Tony Carter.

When FSU has the ball...

The 'Bama defense, led by Wallace Gilberry, hasn't produced spectacular statistics, but the unit has come through when needed.

Alabama would do well to watch out for FSU WR Greg Carr, who's averaged a TD once every 3 RECEPTIONS in his career.

Drew Weatherford's statistics are decent (to say the least), but he's yet to deliver in the clutch.

RB Preston Parker has accounted for 25 percent of the Seminoles' total yards this season. If 'Bama can stop him, they'll essentially stop the entire FSU offense.

The PKs are Leigh Tiffin for 'Bama and Gary Cismesia for FSU.

Prediction: Alabama picks apart a weak FSU D for a 38-21 win.

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written on September 25, 2007 Sports

Bleacher Report has a featured columnist opening for Florida State Football.

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