Florida State vs. Notre Dame: Spread Info, Line and More for Champs Sports Bowl

There is a lot of history in the Champs Sports Bowl this year between the Florida State Seminoles (8-4, 5-3) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4). 

These two teams have had some classic battles in the past, with both teams fighting for the top spot in college football. Even if these two teams may have had down years with 8-4 records, they still have  passionate fanbases that will show up for this game.

Where: Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.

When: Thursday December 29, 5:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN, ESPN 3-D and ESPN-3.com

Listen: Florida State: WTNT FM 94.9 and WNLS AM 1270 Notre Dame: KNBR AM 1050 

Betting Line: According to SBG Global, the line for this game has the Florida State Seminoles as a -3.5 point favorite. You will see the Seminoles win this game, but not cover the spread. These two teams are too evenly matched in almost every major category. 

Key Storyline: Which team will get a victory that will shoot them into the Top 25 to start next year?

Who Might Not Play for Florida State

RB Devonta Freeman is probable with a back injury. The running back should play in FSU’s bowl game despite missing some practices due to the back injury.

WR Bert Reed is probable with a hamstring injury. Reed pulled his hamstring in practice, but is expected to be ready to go by Thursday.

DE Brandon Jenkins is probable with a head injury. However, despite the injury, he should be ready to go for their game against Notre Dame.

Who Might Not Play for Notre Dame

DE Stephon Tuitt is questionable with a virus. He has come down with mononucleosis and may miss out of their bowl game.

TE Jake Golic is questionable with an arm injury. Golic missed their last game against Stanford and could miss out of their bowl game because of his broken arm.

NT Tyler Stockton is questionable with a knee injury. Stockton missed the Fighting Irish’s last game against Stanford and may miss out of their game against Florida State.

What it Means for Florida State

A win for Florida State would cap off what was a disappointing season for the Seminoles. They started out with the hopes of playing for the BCS National Championship, but now have to settle with a 9-4 season if they win. 

What it Means for Notre Dame

A win for Notre Dame would end a year that had a lot of ups and downs. They showed flashes of greatness during this season. However, they have frustrated their fans with inconsistent play. They need a win in the Champs Sports Bowl to end a season on a high note. 

What They're Saying

Florida State: From NoleDigest.com, there are some FSU players that did not know about the history between these two programs. 

" Nevertheless, despite the fact that the Irish and Seminoles have only played each other six times, with FSU holding a 4-2 advantage, junior defensive tackle Everett Dawkins could tell there was something special between the two schools once the date was set for the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29 in Orlando. “I didn’t realize the Florida State-Notre Dame tradition was a big deal until our coaches started talking about it and the tickets [for the game] were sold out," Dawkins said Tuesday before practice. "So now it started to kick in that this is a pretty big game, a pretty big rivalry between these two teams.” "

Notre Dame: From the South Bend Tribune, Eric Hansen recounts how the Irish were able to land LB Prince Shembo over FSU. 

"

The closest Prince Shembo came to a courtship with Florida State during the recruiting process was an invitation, followed by a slammed door.

“My junior year in high school, they wanted me to come down to their
spring game,” said the Notre Dame outside linebacker, a sophomore from
Charlotte, N.C. “They told me if I made the visit, they’d offer me (a
scholarship). But I never went down. I wanted to do it, but my dad was
like, ‘Nah, you’re not going to go there.’ He’s all about education.”

"

Florida State Player to Watch: E.J. Manuel 

The junior quarterback did do a good job in leading this Seminoles team in his first year as the starting quarterback. However, in Manuel’s first four games as the starter, he had six interceptions. 

Since those first four games, Manuel calmed down to only have two interceptions in his final seven games. If E.J. is careful with his pass selection against Notre Dame, the Seminoles have a great chance at winning their bowl game. 

Notre Dame Player to Watch: Michael Floyd

Floyd was one of the most talented receivers in college football this year. He had a career year in receptions with 95 and receiving yards with 1,106. However, he has had a down year with touchdowns with only eight. However, if he has a great game against Florida State, he could overcome his career high for touchdowns of 12. 

Floyd had four games of 10 catches or more this year, with another four games of 120 yards or more. Against Florida State, Floyd will be looked upon to be the main target for this Notre Dame offense.  

Key Matchup: Florida State’s E.J. Manuel vs. the Notre Dame Defense

Manuel has been rather quiet over his last seven games with only eight touchdowns. However, in those seven games, he has led the Seminoles to six victories. If he can play smart football against this Irish secondary that only had eight interceptions this year, he could lead this Seminoles team to a huge bowl game victory. 

Prediction

Notre Dame and Florida State both finished with pretty even stats across the board. Both teams finished with 8-4 records, averaged 30 or more points per game, had 5-2 home records and 3-2 road records. 

However, where these two teams differ is their defenses. Florida State allowed only 15 points per game to opposing teams, while Notre Dame allowed 21. This will give the Seminoles the advantage in this game. 

FSU pulls this one out with a late field goal from their kicker. 

Florida State 20-Notre Dame 17 

Follow @tjmcaloon