Florida State vs Florida

Seminoles and Gators

 

 

      This week is rivalry week for many teams, but many of those games won't mean as much as the Florida State vs Florida rivalry. Finally, both teams are ranked in the top ten, and the game is back to having the intensity that it had in the 90's (or so it looks that way at this point).

 

       From a statistics view, it will be a game of two very different teams.

     

FSU ranks 7th in scoring offense (scoring 43 points a game)

UF ranks 80th in scoring offense (scoring 25 points a game)

 

FSU ranks 5th in scoring defense (giving up 13 points a game)

UF ranks 3rd in scoring defense (giving up 12 points a game)

 

     The defense is clearly something both teams have in common, however, the offense is a very different story. Those stats may be a little misleading. FSU has done that against greatly inferior teams. Florida has done it against stronger teams (or so the BCS would have you believe). You can't ignore everything about Florida's schedule. They too, have played very weak teams, but they have struggled against those teams. Bowling Green comes to mind (a game in which Florida won 27-14), LA, Lafayette is another that jumps out ( Florida escaped 27-20 just a couple weeks ago). So, it's clear that Florida has its weaknesses and growing pains that they have been dealing with since the start of the season. To make matters a little more interesting this week, Florida's Jeff Driskel will be nursing an injury he suffered recently. At this point, Florida says he will play, but will he be 100%? If not, does Florida's offense stand a chance against Florida State's defense? The same defense that held Florida to only seven points in the swamp a year ago.

 

     Florida State has just about every advantage you could ask for as a head coach. The game is on your field. You have the more talented offense. Your team puts up huge numbers at home. You have the leadership of a senior QB. Your defense is anchored by two very good defensive ends that are both first round NFL draft picks. So, what's not to like about your chances? Other than the fact that it's a rivalry game and anything could happen, really, what does FSU have against them right now?

    

     I can point to a couple of problems that have been brewing all season long. Coaching, and themselves. The play-calling has been a very sensitive issue in Tallahassee. Jimbo Fisher has come under fire in recent weeks about his ability to call the offense and be the head coach. A game on Thursday night against the Hokies may have made matters even worse for him.

 

 

      A game in which FSU was coming off a BYE week and should have been very focused. Not only that, but FSU should have been more than ready to execute their offensive strategy. The Noles escaped the game with a last minute TD to go up 28-22 with just under a minute to play. Sure, it was a Thursday night game (FSU has one of the worst Thursday night records in all FBS since 2000), but the expectations were much higher than what fans saw that night in Blacksburg. It's not just the game against the Hokies. Try to find a Seminole fan that doesn't blame Fisher for the loss against NC State. I haven't found one yet. On the flip side of that game against NC State, there has to be a point where the players take over. There has to be that point where the talent and depth is just too much for the other team (like NC State for example). Where was that against NC State? If FSU really has all that talent, shouldn't it make up for coaching in some situations?

 

      I still believe that FSU's offense is looking for that ONE game, that they can say they put it all together. It wasn't the Clemson game, as some would point out. Fans are still waiting for that ONE game that they can see that their team has the better skilled players. The receivers are as deep as they have ever been, and maybe deeper (even deeper than what they had in the 90's). The QB position is solid (not the best with EJ Manuel, but he is the 2nd best they have had since Chris Weinke). They have the runningbacks. Now is the time to see that translate into some big time plays against a big time rival.

 

 

      FSU had its problems last year against the Gators in the Swamp, but FSU got the win. Many of the Noles' problems were injuries. Chris Thompson was out for the game last year (and sadly, he will miss this year's game as well with a different injury). The next runningback up was Freeman (who was also nursing an injury during that game). FSU's offensive line was in shambles. They had three freshman playing in that game. It didn't end there, their wide receivers were plagued with injuries as well. So, while FSU couldn't crack 100 yards against the Gators last season, they did come away with the 21-7 victory (thanks to their defense).

 

     This year, FSU looks healthy, minus the absence of Chris Thompson. They have all their play-makers on offense. The offensive line is experienced and healthy. There are no excuses on offense this year.......except that Jimbo Fisher will be calling the plays. Until he gets that signature win against a high ranked rival, his name will come up when people start asking what went wrong for FSU.

 

      It will be a very exciting game, and I am sure you ready for me to give a prediction......but it's Tuesday. I don't do predictions on Tuesdays. So much can happen between now and Saturday. Like, Driskel may or may not start. There could be an injury to a key player during practice this week. Anything could happen. So, I will let you all talk about it, and why not send me your predictions for my Wednesday Reader Question Segment?

 Send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day.