FSU: F-rustrated, S-addened, U-nranked...Again

The future of the Big Three is about to change—forever.

In one game, the South Florida Bulls went from a team on the outside looking in—a bubble bunch—to a team on the inside looking out. FSU now finds themselves the team everyone wondered about—quite the opposite, almost a mirror image of USF, right down to the acronyms.

With the Bulls now comfortably sitting at 4-0, they have matched their best four-game start in the school's brief 12-year history. FSU, meanwhile, is reeling and is off to its worst four-game start in 20 years.

If that wasn't enough, FSU's other loss this season—a nail biter against Miami—had them lose some footing over the weekend as well, with Miami finding themselves in the loss column against the strong defense of the men in Blacksburg.

So FSU is down, Miami is down, Florida's Superman was knocked out, and it would seem the only power in the state last night came from a true freshman who didn't even get an offer to play at one of the big three.

Oops.

In reviewing the game, there were two main things that the 'Noles did wrong, and many things the Bulls simply did right. FSU could not seem to hang on to the ball when seemingly within striking distance. They also managed to let the big play once again soar over the secondary. One thing you cannot overlook in this contest is that USF did not stop making big play after big play on defense.

With the game seemingly within reach for FSU right up until around the 5:00 marker in the fourth quarter, USF's front five continued to add pressure on Christian Ponder, who was sacked a season high five times. Compared to his first three games the Seminoles QB managed to evade the sack on all but three occasions, Ponder couldn't seem to evade the rush from USF's defense.

The Bulls owe the majority pressure up front to one man—Senior Defensive End George Selvie.

Sure, Craig Marshall accounted for two of Ponder's five sacks, but anyone who paid attention noticed how play after heart-pounding play Selvie was the equalizer.

Florida State's Offensive Line that had been told by Offensive Line Coach Rick Trickett just one week prior "not to talk" and just play, suddenly looked like they couldn't do either. Left speechless, and called for several holds that cost FSU several crucial third down conversions, Rodney Hudson and Andrew Datko were both pressed for the majority of action, unable to limit the rush against them.

In the end, FSU managed to squander possession after possession, making several trips to the red zone and leaving, on all but one occasion, empty handed.

In what could turn out to be one of the most memorable games for USF, there are still a few small things to consider.

FSU is still very much in control of their destiny in the ACC. With only one ACC loss, and everyone in the ACC Atlantic yet to play, FSU has a very real possibility of making it to Tampa. Right now, Miami will need just a tiny bit of help, with Virginia Tech controlling their fate to make the journey to Tampa.

If FSU can manage a nine-win season, you can bet that FSU will have solved its inconsistencies on defense, and perhaps figured out how to balance their pass and ground attacks, much like they were able to against BYU's porous secondary.

If USF is legitimate, and doesn't implode, Florida State has a very logical shot at rematching both Miami in Tampa, and USF...in Miami.

Congratulations to all of the Bulls fans out there. You can bet that the Seminoles won't forget about you any time soon.