It hasn’t been a good 12 months for Florida State.
The football team stumbled to another 7-6 record. Wholesale changes to the offensive coaching staff led to an offense that was, if anything, slightly worse. The Semis lost to Miami, 37-29, and Florida, 45-12.
At the end of the regular season, a large academic scandal broke out involving several different teams that resulted in large suspensions for the bowl game and the first three games of 2008.
The FSU recruiting class was rated in the top 10 by Scout and Rivals, headlined by dual threat QB E.J. Manuel. The lift from that was tempered by offensive star WR/RB Preston Parker getting arrested and suspended for the first two games.
To deal with the suspensions, Bobby Bowden and FSU decided to schedule two I-AA teams to begin the year: Western Carolina and Chattanooga. They’re not just I-AA teams—they’re bad I-AA teams. They went a combined 3-19 last year.
The problem at FSU right now is not talent, at least according to those who track these things. Over the past five years, FSU is in the top ten of programs in terms of bringing in talent according to Scout and Rivals.
In this year’s Athlon preview magazine, an anonymous opposing assistant head coach is quoted as saying, “I still think they’ve got the best players probably in the conference. I mean, they are really, really talented.”
Today's Must Reads
The most glaring problem has been quarterback. Forget not having someone the quality of Chris Weinke, the last consistent and reliable signal caller at the school—they haven’t even had another Danny Kanell.
Having Jeff Bowden replace Mark Richt certainly didn’t help, but the overall player development at Florida State just hasn’t been up to snuff.
That brings us to this year. Drew Weatherford is presumed to be the starter at quarterback, but Christian Ponder’s strong play at the end of last season could help him take the job at some point. One would also figure Manuel would get some snaps somewhere since the fans will want to see the jewel of the recruiting class.
This is all nice, until you remember the old adage: If you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks.
FSU will begin the season with two I-AA opponents, which brings their possible win total against I-A competition down to ten.
Wake Forest comes to Tallahassee in the third game when Parker comes back, but while the academic scandal suspensions are still in effect. Given that Wake has won the past two against FSU (including a 30-0 beatdown in Tallahassee in 2006), and that eight Seminole starters will be out, the Demon Deacons will almost certainly win this game.
Florida State will also be playing Clemson in early November. Tommy Bowden sure seems to have figured his dad’s team out, as he’s won four of the past five games in the series. Clemson also has the most talented and deepest team in the conference, so I don’t see much of a reason why Florida State will win this one either.
Then you have the final game versus Florida at the end of November. The game is in Tallahassee, which almost by definition means the Gators will not play at their best. UF has won the past two in Tallahassee by seven points each, but prior to that hadn’t won there since 1986.
It will be uncomfortably close for those in orange and blue, but Florida outclasses FSU by such a large margin at this point that it’s difficult to see a win for the home team.
That puts FSU down to seven possible wins against I-A opponents. There will probably be a game where no one riding the garnet and gold quarterback carousel can get anything going, resulting in another loss. That leaves the Seminoles with just six wins against I-A competition.
It’s possible, though certainly not guaranteed, that Florida State will return to national prominence under the Jimbo Fisher administration.
For now though, it’s going to be another long, disappointing season in Tallahassee.
EDIT
A lot of people in the comment thread seem to be picking FSU over Clemson as an upset special for a variety of reasons. Well, a lot of people picked FSU to beat Clemson last year too:
And then this happened in the first half:
Always be careful when you find everyone else saying the same thing as you.
comments (67) write a comment »
write a new comment
25 days ago
I'll drink to that!
25 days ago
Sorry, but they are winning more than 6 games this season. Look at their schedule, it's not that bad.
You won't like my prediction of FSU beating Clemson in Tallahassee then : ) Decided to go with the upset.
I use to really like FSU when I was young, it was Auburn then FSU. Loved the helmets, loved the chop, loved the athletes. But not anymore.
They aren't the same, I've started following recruiting and realized they recruit dirty, and Bobby Bowden is holding on for dear life just so he can hold the all time wins record. Honestly, nobody thinks of Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno as the greatest coach ever anyway.
from 25 days ago
They will have eight wins on their final regular season record, but two are against I-AA teams. Take those out and you get six against I-A competition. They will lose to Wake, probably Clemson (agree to disagree), and Florida. A loss at Miami is never out of the question, and there's nothing to say that the up-and-coming Colorado team they play in September won't beat them too.
To put it even more simply, FSU has lost at least three conference games each of the past three seasons. With a repeat performance and a loss to Florida, that's no more than six I-A wins.
25 days ago
"Florida State will also have to play at Clemson. Tommy Bowden sure seems to have figured his dad’s team out as he’s won four of the past five games in the series. Clemson also has the most talented and deepest team in the conference, so I don’t see much of a reason why Florida State will win this one either."
Actually, Florida gets Clemson AT HOME, THIS SEASON :)
from 25 days ago
Thanks.
from 24 days ago
Florida plays Clemson? Must have missed that non conference showdown there Jimson ; )
from 24 days ago
"Florida plays Clemson? Must have missed that non conference showdown there Jimson ; )"
I meant Florida State, lolz :)
25 days ago
I agree that the Noles will be way down again this year, but like Justin, I see them wrecking Clemson's year. And it won't be so much that FSU will beat them but that Clemson will bumble away another golden opportunity and end the season on a sour note by losing yet another game they should have won.
8 wins sounds right to me.
Just how long is Fisher going to wait for Bowden to retire...
from 24 days ago
"I agree that the Noles will be way down again this year, but like Justin, I see them wrecking Clemson's year. And it won't be so much that FSU will beat them but that Clemson will bumble away another golden opportunity and end the season on a sour note by losing yet another game they should have won.
8 wins sounds right to me.
Just how long is Fisher going to wait for Bowden to retire..."
Do you think that Tommy Bowden will be fired (on the spot)... IF Florida State beats Clemson???
from 24 days ago
No.
from 24 days ago
A lot of signs are pointing to this being Joe Paterno's last year, so if that's true then Bobby won't be too far behind him. He probably will only stay another year or two after this season. He almost certainly will retire by January 9, 2011 since that's the day that FSU must pay Jimbo $2.5 million if he (Fisher) is not the official head coach yet.
Fisher seems to really like FSU and he has a long history with the Bowden family, so I think it's unlikely he'll bolt for some place else. Plus he's got a $2.5 million buyout, and I don't know many schools who would be willing to pay that for a guy who's never been a head coach before.
from 24 days ago
Tommy Bowden will not be fired. He signed a contract through 2014 this off season.
from 24 days ago
Maybe they can just go out tied or play a bowl game tied and both retire.
from 24 days ago
"Tommy Bowden will not be fired. He signed a contract through 2014 this off season."
I agree, Tommy Bowden SHOULD NOT be fired :)
24 days ago
Justin, the real reason why FSU will not win anything is their offensive line. An offense is only as good as its offensive line, and Florida has been dominating the state in offensive line recruiting under Meyer.
That is the real reason why FSU has struggled. Quarterbacks need offensive lines. Manuel will not be able to do anything with that line. It was already pretty suspect last year and they have lost a few of their best players on that line. I think FSU will having a losing record.
24 days ago
As a fsu fan i would like to see bowden stay but then again no he is dragging the program down and the qb situation is a mess
24 days ago
8 games sounds good to me, 6 against I-A teams. I think they will lose to all the better teams (Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Florida) except for Clemson. Clemson always loses to teams they shouldn't. All of Florida State's suspended starters will have returned and played in two games prior to this matchup. Clemson will be coming in undefeated and underestimate FSU and the game is at FSU.
from 5 days ago
We WILL NOT underestimate FSU, how could we? Bowden Bowl X.
24 days ago
This sounds spot on. I'm still questioning why they scheduled those FCS teams to counter the suspensions. If they did that to give themselves wins because they had too many starting players out for the first two games, then isn't that defeating the punishment?
"Yep, we did all this bad stuff, we deserve the punishment, but lets schedule tow cream puffs so we don't feel any of the ramifications of the punishment."
Is this scheduling condoned by FSU? I don't remember anyone going on record to say that the cheating scandal was the reason why they scheduled those two games...all I have heard is innuendo. Can someone please link me to an article that states that is the Seminoles' reason?
Great job, David.
from 24 days ago
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3500093
It's a video interview with Bobby Bowden. With roughly 3:20 or so left in the video (the timer counts down instead of up) Bobby specifically states they scheduled those I-AA teams because of the suspensions.
from 24 days ago
As a side note, I can't believe the press is letting him get away with scheduling two of the dregs of I-AA for the opening two games after large suspensions for those games were announced. Nearly every other coach in the country would be getting killed for doing something like that, but not St. Bobby.
from 2 days ago
ur a dumb bitch NOLES RULE SO FUCK OFF
24 days ago
It's time to quit when your son is better than you are.
from 24 days ago
I couldn't agree more with your comment :)
24 days ago
Just tell me this David, when is the last time FSU only won 6 games?
The odds aren't in your favor.
from 24 days ago
Okay Michael, prior to last season... when was the last time Notre Dame lost 9 games???
24 days ago
He is saying they will win 8 games total. 6 against teams that are 1-A.
And that has happened quite a bit recently.
24 days ago
So because Florida plays some names in its non-conference schedule, it's okay to forget that in the past few years the Gators have played Western Carolina, Troy, UCF, Wyoming, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Eastern Michigan, San Jose State and Florida A&M? Just wondering. Can't wait to see the SEC lovers come out with the "it's okay for us because we have to play the SEC schedule."
from 24 days ago
Surely you can tell the difference between scheduling cupcakes because you want enormous revenues from home games (like Florida) and scheduling two of the worst of I-AA in the same season because you know a third of your starters are suspended for those slots on the schedule.
24 days ago
jim and tim you too! sound like twins get marry or something. clemson or florida state both teams are bcs counterbalance teams make a note@##$ you'er be suprise too'too leplaybie!!!!!!!!!!!.
24 days ago
FSU is in the top five every year in recruiting. So, ithen one of three things has occurred.
1) Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews, who have won all those games over the years, have suddenly becoming idiots. I refuse to believe that over the past two to three years the ability to coach and manage a game has mysteriously evaporated.
2) The rest of the ACC has caught FSU. (which makes the experts at Rivals idiots. We all know that Wake Forest, Clemson, NC State, Va. Tech and Maryland NEVER are rated ahead of FSU in the final recruiting analysis.)
3) OR perhpas, we should remember that you can not win 10 games every year. In today's world of parity, perhaps, as fans we should be content with 7 wins here and there and a special season every five years. Do not forget, FSU was the ACC winner in 2005. In 2007 FSU beat Colorado, Alabama and Boston College.
Now for this year. There is no reason to think the Noles can not beat Wake Forest. First of all, the game is at home. Second, FSU has better talent. Thrid, Wake has to replace the majority of their offensive line. There is no reason to think FSU will not beat Colorado again this year. FSU returns more starters than the Bufs and the game is in Jacksonville this year. Virginia Tech travels to FSU this year. The Hokies return just 10 starters this year. Coach Beamer will have his work cut out for him this year. Clemson must also travel to Doak Campbell this year. While the Tigers do return more starters and appear to have the better team ( And PEOPLE every team loses games they should win every year. THEY ARE CALLED UPSETS and YOUR TEAM will be upset this year! Look at Georgia in 2007, a loss to S. Carolina at home. In 2006 a loss to Vandy at home. In 2005, a loss to Florida and a home loss to Auburn. The Dawgs were favored in both. In 2004, a home loss to Tennessee in which the Dawgs were favored. I picked Georgia because I like the Dawgs and because they have been successful. But one could easily say, "if the Dawgs had not lost so many games they should have won, they could have played for the national title at least twice over the past four years!") And now back to my point, The Noles and Tigers have had two close games the last two years that either team actually could have won. Boston College only returns 10 starters and loses all world Mr. Ryan.
If I were a Nole fan, the game in College Park would scare me. It will be cold and it is the week before the Gators come to town. Certainly FSU has the talent to compete with Florida, but..... it is hard to pick against the Gators. And of course that leaves Miami. I frankly have no idea as I have missed them game the last three years.
Bottom line.............. I think the key to FSU's season is the Wake game. Worst case 7 wins, best case 9-3.
from 24 days ago
If they don't hit your best case scenario of 9-3, then they will have maximum six wins against I-A competition. That was the point of the piece - six wins against other I-A schools.
24 days ago
First of all, E.J. Manuel is a red-shirt,
2nd of all, tell me the last time clemson had a good start to the season, and didn't choke
other than that your probably right.
from 24 days ago
Everything I've read says that an injury or ineffective play could lead to Manuel's red shirt being burned. That's why I threw him in there; it seems more likely to me than a scenario of Richardson starting, but I've been wrong before.
from 24 days ago
Jared,
I will not bore you with the all the details, but three times since 1977 one could say Clemson started good and ended the season badly. Of course you are referring to the Clemson and the Boston College game. What a great game that was! But keep in mind, BC did the EXACT same thing to Va. Tech. And that loss was FAR more damaging to the Hokies. Some say that cost the Hokies a shot at the national title. Keep in mind, the only loss the Hokies had after the LSU game was against BC. At the time Va. Tech was ranked #8 and BC #2. The win would have moved the Hokies up furthur and with West Virginia and others that lost in the five weeks after.............. Hokie fans are more than likely correct. Point being, Ryan was a SPECIAL player and will do well in the NFL. I would much rather give Matt Ryan credit than to say, Clemson chocked. FACT is, Ryan won! Give him some credit.
24 days ago
David,
Perhpas you are correct. But I read the article as more of a slap at the FSU program. Perhpas I misunderstood. Regardless, the talent is there, the facilities are there and the coaches are there. There is NO reason the Noles should not win big this year.
I still like Maryland to beat the Noles. The timing is bad for FSU, it is on the road and Maryland has a HUGE O-line that has expierience. It will be cold and that field does not lend itself to speed if it becomes damp.
from 23 days ago
The talent sure comes in from high school, but you can question whether it's getting maximized in college.
I re-watched the UF-FSU game from last year yesterday, and it was embarrassing the way the Seminole D got carved up. Either the players aren't as good as they used to be, aren't getting developed that well, or the coaching has gone stale because that would have never happened as recently as 6 or 7 years ago. FSU is fortunate to be in the ACC, because a conference with wide-open offenses (like the Big 12, for instance) would trash them entirely.
I personally am not 100% sold on Jimbo from his days at LSU, and the offense did not get appreciably better last season.
An example from that Florida game is that the Gators blitzed any time Preston Parker was in the backfield because they figured he couldn't pass block. That turned out to be true, and Florida's defensive line got more pressure on Weatherford than it did against any other quarterback last year. Jimbo didn't quit calling pass plays with Parker as the only guy to pick up the blitz until late in the third quarter when it was already too late.
There are deep problems there, and this year isn't the time they go away.
23 days ago
David,
I am convinced the coaching is there. Mickey Andrews did not wake up one morning a forget how to coach. For that matter, neither did Fisher.
Keep in mind FSU played two SEC schools during the regular season. They beat Alabama and of course lost to the Gators. The Kentucky game they almost won despite having 20 plus players out. I am sorry, but I have never bought into this conference is weak and this one is strong. The fact of the matter is the SEC has some VERY bad teams this year. Arkansas is bad, Vandy may lose the opener to Miami of Ohio and Ole Miss has not won more than four games in a season since 2003!.
The SEC and Big 10 have the most pasionate fans and largest venues. The SEC has four teams that can win the national title. Auburn, LSU, Florida and Georgia. The reality is that no other conference can bost this! But the SEC is top heavy. The PAC 10 and Big 10 have more quality teams. Do not get me wrong, I pull for the ACC and SEC to win every time they go up against thoses other conferences, but I am not sure that by virtue of being (let's say in the PAC 10) means you have better running backs than the say the Big East.
Good luck to your Gators this year and I am sure you can not wait until November 1ST.
from 23 days ago
FSU went 7-6. Alabama also went 7-6 as well, so them winning that game was not really a shock. The bowl game was closer than expected, sure.
The point about playing in a different conference was in reference to FSU's rough time defending the spread option. Gary Danielson said Mickey Andrews told him before the game that he wasn't sure he knew how to defend Florida's offense. It showed during the game.
Nearly everyone in the Big 12 runs wide-open spread offenses like Florida does, so that's why I picked that league. The ACC is a conference full of pro-style offenses (save Paul Johnson's new scheme at GT), and defending that is Andrews' specialty. It really is the perfect conference for him to be in because he's good against it. He didn't wake up one day and forget how to coach; he woke up one day and found a new offense that flummoxes him.
And yes, I know Florida didn't light it up in Tallahassee in 2006, but that offense and last year's are worlds apart.
23 days ago
First of all, FSU didn't schedule two I-AA teams because of the scandal. The games were already scheduled as stop-gaps: FSU starts home-and-homes with other teams in 09, (one of them being Oklahoma) but had no one to play in 08. They moved the games to the beginning of the season once the ACC schedule was put into place.
Next, FSU will be fine vs. Wake. Know why? Xavier Lee is gone. He single-handedly gave games away against WF in 06 and 07. If you don't agree, you obviously didn't see the games, or X-man tossing INT after INT, or the Wake defense returning them for TD's as X-man refused to even attempt to tackle anyone.
They'll win 8-9 games this year, but I'm not saying they are good. They just have so many games scheduled in the state of FL (8 or 9?), they will have many opportunities to win games in stadiums where they will have plenty of support.
V Tech isn't the team they were last year, and Miami is horrendous. Xavier Lee cost the Noles that game last year, too.
Everything hinges on the QB. Even with Weatherford, though, who is steady but not great, this team should still get to 8 wins.
from 23 days ago
Did you watch the video interview with Bowden that I linked to? He specifically states that they scheduled the two I-AA teams because of the suspensions.
Need more?
The Palm Beach Post (1) quotes him as saying, "We were invited, but we declined it" in relation to playing a high-profile team on Labor Day weekend. He is also quoted as saying, "We tried to lighten up our schedule."
The Orlando Sentinel (2) further quotes him as saying, "We had to give up a Monday night game, which I hated to give up because of the [lost] exposure. But there's no way we would be ready to play a ranked team at that time."
Those first two games were scheduled they way they were because of the suspensions, plain and simple. Either that, or Bobby Bowden is completely out of touch with the goings on of his program. The former seems far more likely to me.
1. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/07/19/0718fsu.html
2. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-fbcfsu09a08feb09,0,5498085.story
23 days ago
David,
Keep in mind last year the noles (besides UF of course) didn't exactly get blown out in any games, they all came down to the 4th quarter, and we let them slip away. I've been to 7 or 8 practices this year, and talked to Jimbo, and they are doing twice as much conditioning as last season, and they run the 2 minute offense in the middle of practice.
09/03/07 at Clemson Clemson, SC L, 24-18
10/11/07 at Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC L, 24-21
10/20/07 vs. Miami Tallahassee, Fla. L, 37-29
11/10/07 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA L, 40-21
11/24/07 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. L, 45-12
12/31/07 vs. Kentucky Nashville, TN L, 35-28
I think anything lower than 8-4 will be a dissapointment
from 23 days ago
An 8-4 record means 6 wins against I-A competition, which was the point of the piece.
Also, hasn't letting close games slip away kind of been the problem for the past 4 or 5 years? I've noticed that's usually more a sign of poor technique and execution than poor conditioning, but that must be why they pay Jimbo the big bucks.
23 days ago
David,
We are going to have to simply disagree about Andrews. He is a good DC and he knows how to coach. Perhpas the talent is not there or the other teams have better talent. FSU beat Colorado, who is in the BIG 12, last year as the Nole defense completely dominated the game. Sure the Bufs finished 4-4 in conference last year, but still hung 27 on Oklahoma, 43 on Baylor, 31 on Texas Tech, 28 on Iowa St and 65 on Nebraska. So they can score.
And FSU beat Alabama. And you will have a riot on your hand if you say that was not a big deal. Alabama fans will go bonkers if you say the win for FSU was not a shock. They are, after all, Alabama........... LOL
Question for you............Will Paul Johnson have trouble recruiting because of the scheme he runs? The really good players do not want to be in an option orientedd attack or wish bone. I understand why that was used at Navy, but I am not sure it is needed at Ga. Tech.
from 22 days ago
I heard a stat that Paul Johnson's Navy teams averaged 30 points a game against BCS-conference teams. There may be some growing pains, but I have little doubt that it will work just fine. If he can do it with Navy-caliber players, why can't he with ACC-caliber players?
I don't think Johnson runs it because he needs to; he used it a Georgia Southern too, a powerhouse in I-AA. I think he runs it because he likes it and it works for him.
22 days ago
What does last seasons game between Clemson and FSU have to do with anything this season? I hate when people say stuff like that especially about a close game. Why don't we just go ahead and not play the games and give everybody the same records they had last year? That would save a lot of money i guess and you Clemson fans would once again have an underachieving record in a mediocre football conference. People are even saying Clemson is a national title contender? get real.
from 22 days ago
"You Clemson fans?" Hey man, the orange helmet in my avatar doesn't have a tiger paw print on it.
I brought up the topic of last year's game to illustrate the point that a bunch of people picking FSU to win won't make it happen on the field. One game might not mean much, but take a step back and it's part of a streak where the younger Bowden has won 4 of 5 against the elder. That's a trend that extends beyond just one recruiting class, so it's not a fluke.
Add to that the fact that Clemson has the better team, and it makes the most sense to predict a Tiger win. I'm not sure where the furor about picking the better team to win a game comes from.
from 22 days ago
All I am saying is that everybody is overrating Clemson and talking like they are going to stomp all over the ACC, when the fact is that they have many losable games like the FSU game. In fact they may even lose at Alabama and possibly even against the gamecocks because that game is a toss up every year. That could leave them at 9-3. It would not surprise me if FSU won their first six games this season. Have you seen their schedule? They have three tough games VT, Clemson, and Florida that are all at home.
Guaranteed wins: Western Carolina, Chatanooga, NCSU, BC
Likely wins: Miami, Colorado, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest
Likely Losses: VT and Clemson
Guaranteed Loss: Florida
Its safe to say they will lose of the likely wins but i think they will also win either the VT or Clemson game giving them nine wins.
from 22 days ago
So let me get this straight, your an ACC fan, and your saying get real ? I guess your used to the Tiger beatings you get every year.
from 22 days ago
hahahahaha the tigers haven't won a conference title since 1991 man. Dude Wake Forest, Virginia, Georgia tech, and Maryland have won conference titles since the last time Clemson won one so get it straight.
from 22 days ago
Samuel,
Please, get a hold of yourslef. The only two things when predicting a team's sucess for the upcoming year is 1) how they did last year AND how many players return, especially starters. So when Clemson beats FSU AND returns more starters, it is logical to assume that Clemson can do it again. It is also logical to assume that FSU will get dominated by Florida again this year. Last year the Gators won by 33. The Gators return 16 starters to FSU's 15 starters. FSU needs to close the gap in this one and quit becoming white meat.
You obviously do not follow football much. If you did, you would know that since 1999, according to preseason publications, Clemson has failed to exceed or match those expectations just twice. So when you describling Clemson you certainly need some data because you are looking like a fool.
from 21 days ago
OK Clemson won by six points at home last year and this year the game is in Tallahassee so i don't think its very fair to FSU to say that Clemson is a lock to win the game is all i'm trying to say. Maybe since FSU went 7-6 last seasons, the fact that those starters aren't returning may be a good thing. Youa can't honestly say that as far as raw talent, Clemson is any better then FSU. And who said they we're going to beat Florida? If you read my post you will see i called it a guaranteed loss.
Clemson football has through the years never been able to turn the corner and go from being a conference power to a national power. I don't care what some guy says in a preseason magazine, any Clemson fan will tell you that the fact that they have not won a conference title in 17 years in a mediocre football conference is underachieving. Clemson has had so many great players of the years its a shame they have very little to show for it.
07. 9-4 loses against GT and BC
06. 8-5 loses against MD and Kentucky
05. 8-4 loses against Wake and GT
04. 6-5 loses against UVA and Duke
03. 9-4 loses against Wak, NCSU, and MD
For a team that is suppose to all of a sudden be a national title contender, Clemson seems pretty much to be a underachiever.
22 days ago
David,
The Noles will win 10 games this year. Controversy brings out the best in them. (check 2005 acc championship against va. tech. and last year's stomping of B.C.) Keep doubting them. They are loving it down here. Maybe you should start doubting your overhyped, overrated, hollywood sissy's at USC, and maybe they can get by the dreaded Stanford squad this season.
from 22 days ago
Since when am I a USC fan? Also, why didn't controversy bring out their best last year too?
21 days ago
Samuel,
YOU are hardly worth a reply.......... Never been able to turn the corner? Clemson has a national title and numerous undefeated seasons. Mediocre conference????? FSU, a medicore team last year, beat Alabama and Colorado. Clemson, a medicore team according to you, beat South Carolina and played Auburn to double OT. Wake Forest, who finished with four losses last year, had no trouble beating Vandy last year. Duke, had one win last year, against Northwestern on the road..........
If you hate Clemson that is fine. But do some research before making silly comments.
from 21 days ago
FSU, a 7-6 team, beat Alabama (7-6) and Colorado (6-7). Clemson (9-4) beat South Carolina (6-6) and took Auburn (9-4) to overtime. Wake (9-4) beat Vandy (5-7), and Duke (1-11) beat Northwestern (6-6).
Sounds like only the Blue Devils really pulled any kind of surprise among those games.
from 21 days ago
Jay.
Clemson won games in the 70's and 80's and they have not done anything impressive in the 90's or 2000's. Wow I love the ACC but they will never compare to the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten. What exactly does duke beating Northwestern prove? Wow you really proved something there. Possibly the two worst football teams in major conferences. Everyone knows the ACC does not have the depth that other conferences do. Also why don't you attempt to explain to me how they are not underachieving after looking at their records the past five years.
Stick to the facts and stop takin personal shots. If I'm not worth a reply stop replying. My comments may be silly in your opinion, buts its a free country and if someone can't have an educated sports debate without acting like a third grader then i don't think i want to have anything to do with it. Dave writes an excellent article and he does not need this personal shot taking going on in his comments.
21 days ago
David,
I am not talking about upsets, but using the ridiculous to make a point to Samuel. The Blue Devels did pull the upset. If the ACC is so weak like he contends, how can medicore teams in the ACC and play and beat other medicore teams in other conferences? By default a bad ACC team should not beat a bad Big 10 team. An average ACC team should not be able to beat an average SEC team.
I have always detested league comparisons. The only thing you can measure is attendance. In that regard it is hard to beat the BIG 10 and SEC.
With that being said, your Gators, have the schedule this year to do VERY well. Looking over the schedule, I see two games that should concern you. They are of course the Georgia game and the other is Tennessee. Tennessee is getting no love this year and I am not sure why. They return 14 starters from a 10 win season.
from 21 days ago
Tennessee is not getting any love because their senior starting QB graduated and no one knows what new OC Dave Clawson's offense is going to look like. Plus, last year's defense was the worst by far under DC John Chavis, so it's uncertain that the defense will be able to carry the team if the "Clawfense" bombs.
21 days ago
Clawfense.................... I like that. Still, this team won 10 games last year and we all know the talent is there. I would classify them as VERY dangerous.
20 days ago
David, even worse, your a GATOR. Revenge will be sweet this year in Tally. Tim Teboned will cry when Nigel Bradham rips out his insides. Chomp on that!
18 days ago
Nigel Bradham is BEAST!!!
5 days ago
All I can say is thank you. Great article, truth the whole way through. Finally an SEC fan none the less a Florida fan (no offence I just get a lot of crap when I'm in Florida for wearing my Orange.) who shows some respect for us.
5 days ago
FSU will lose to UF, Miami, Ga Tech, Wake, VA Tech, and BC. The possibility exists that Colorado could beat them, too. I don't think even Jimbo is the answer to their problems. This is a program that was allowed to spiral out of control because of one man's ego, and the repercussions are staggering. They've already joined Nebraska as programs that have destroyed their dynastyto the point that a total rebuild is now necessary.
from 3 days ago
BC, V-Tech and G-Tech aren't going to beat FSU (or just about anyone else). Have you looked at their rosters? The ACC is down this year--way down. NC and FSU are going to surprise people, largely due to the weak opponents that litter their divisions.
And Colorado? Please. You're just being silly now.
1 day ago
The ACC is a melting pot that can win a BCS game.
Off the top of my head, the ACC has only ever won 1 or 2 BCS game(s) (99% sure).
6 wins for the 'Noles could happen. It may not but it is possible. Wake Forest looks good. Clemson looks good. Never sleep on Virginia Tech. Butch Davis could make some noise with UNC and QB T.J. Yates. Miami's young and inexperienced but they have plenty of speed. Boston College is still a bowl-worthy school even with Crane at quarterback.
I see it eye to eye with this fine article. I like it.
from 1 day ago
I had a typo. I meant that "can not win a BCS game."
write a new comment