2011 Bowl Predictions: Florida State vs. Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl

The Champs Sports Bowl between Florida State and Notre Dame can be dubbed "The Battle of the Disappointing" or "The Battle of the Overhyped," depending on which stance you want to take.

Florida State was definitely overhyped coming into the season, with a top-notch recruiting class and a number of returning players.

Notre Dame is almost always overhyped, but they did have a number of returning players with talent.

Now, they both have chances to be very, very good again next year, and that all starts with this game.

Where: Florida Citrus Bowl; Orlando, Fla.

When: Thursday, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN / ESPN 3

Listen: Florida State Radio Affiliates. Notre Dame Radio Affiliates.

Key Storyline: Preview for Next Year?

Betting Line: Florida State (-3)

Who Might Not Play for Florida State

No significant injuries to report

Who Might Not Play for Notre Dame

Jonas Gray, RB: Out for Year (Knee)

What it Means for Florida State

An end and a beginning.

The team would love to cap this year off with a win over a legitimate force like the Irish, but they also get the opportunity to see how their maturing team will fair against a team that is not so different. 

Both coaches and programs are still working through the beginnings of new eras, and for the 'Noles, it is important to instill a winning tradition with these young players.

E.J. Manuel will be back under center next season, and the FSU defense—one of the nation's best—will continue to get better.

Brian Kelly's offense will be a good test.

What it Means for Notre Dame

A chance at consistency.

Tommy Rees will be back under center for the Irish after being benched in the regular-season finale, against Stanford.

But the most important thing is that he will finish this season as the starter and go into the offseason as the starter, as well.

This year Rees came back and was beaten out by transferring QB Dayne Crist to start the year. Rees took over the job halfway through the season opener and will be Kelly's guy again next year.

A win to build on would be huge for this program going forward.

What They're Saying

ESPN.com college football analyst Mark Schlabach ranked this game as the eighth-best of the bowl season, writing:

"

The two traditional heavyweights had disappointing records after entering the 2011 season with very high expectations. But both schools have storied traditions and have enough young talent to enter 2012 as BCS contenders. FSU won six of its last seven games; the Irish won four of their last five. The winner of this game gets a top-three preseason ranking.

"

Florida State and Notre Dame can only hope.

Florida State Player to Watch: Nigel Bradham, LB

The senior is the 'Noles' leading tackler and one of the key reasons they were so good against the run this year.

Bradham, FSU's defensive captain, has 22 more tackles than anybody else and added two sacks and nine tackles for loss to the team's totals, as well.

The 'Noles defense held opponents to only 2.3 yards per carry and was second in the nation in rush yards allowed.

Bradham, along with Brandon Jenkins, Bjoern Werner and Christian Jones, will be tasked with shutting down Notre Dame's leading rusher, Cierre Wood.

Notre Dame Player to Watch: Michael Floyd, WR

The Irish senior is the most prolific wide receiver ever to play in South Bend, as he now owns school records for catches, yards and touchdowns.

Floyd is likely a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft and, at 6'3" and 230 pounds, could hear his name called in the top 10-15 picks.

He's a handful for any defense, and if the 'Noles don't get a ton of pressure on Rees, Floyd is going to hurt them.

Key Matchup: Notre Dame O-Line vs. Florida State

The Irish offense is going to have a hard time running against one of the nation's premier run defenses. They're also going to have a tough time blocking a unit that has recorded 36 sacks this year.

Jenkins and Werner lead the way, with 13 sacks between them, but 13 different FSU players got their hands on the quarterback at some point this season.

Tommy Rees is going to need time to throw, and getting Cierre Wood and the ground game on track would be a huge help to that.

If the Irish can force the 'Noles to play honest rather than fly upfield every snap, it will open everything up.

If the 'Noles take the upper hand, it will long day for Rees in the backfield.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Florida State 27