Know thy Enemy: FSU

As the Bulls prepare for one of the biggest games in program history, I asked my friend Rich over at Chant Rant for information on the FSU Seminoles.  Check out his thoughts on the upcoming game and what USF is going to be facing in this one.

Q:  The FSU defense is just plain good.  There are stars all over that roster, but just how good is defensive end Bjoern Werner off the edge?

A: It’s not that Bjoern is unblockable, but that he’s persistent and smart. He seems to figure ways to beat or elude his man and keeps at it throughout the game. And with a good rate of success at getting to the QB, breaking up plays and tackling running backs. Last week against Clemson he brought down one of the Tigers’ speedier players from behind as the guy was accelerating parallel to the line of scrimmage. 

One of the things I like about him is how he’s always cool and under control [unemotional, in keeping with the German stereotype]. You don’t see Bjoern make a big deal of a sack or pounding his chest after a tackle. In fact, he only appears to expend his energy between the time the ball is snapped and when the whistle sounds to end a play. We’ll miss him when he goes pro in 2014 -- unless he comes out early next year.

Q: After suffering his spinal injury last year, how has Chris Thompson looked upon returning?

A: Like a different guy. How he rebounded from two broken vertebrae is a miracle in itself. Eleven months ago, Chris was wondering if he’d be able to walk normally again. Forget playing major college football. But the fact he healed so well in such a short time is overshadowed by how he’s been playing this season. This is the Chris Thompson we all hoped we’d see when he signed with FSU. He’s showing more speed, better cuts and fakes, and hits the line quicker than in his first three, pre-injury seasons. And at 5’8”, 185 you wouldn’t expect him to be crashing through the line and breaking tackles. But that’s exactly what he did on one TD run last week against Clemson. If there’s a Comeback Player of the Year in college football, Thompson has to be near the top of the list of candidates.

Q: EJ Manuel is a big time quarterback, but has struggled at times with deep throws?  What are the keys to getting him out of rhythm and how strong is the FSU offensive line?

A: As with any QB, it’s pressure -- getting in his face, throwing off his timing and causing happy feet. And that’s where the offensive line comes in. So far, this is FSU’s best O-line in years. OL Coach Rick Trickett has pulled together a diverse combination of guys that have jelled and work together well -- both in protecting EJ and opening holes for running backs. Would you believe one of those linemen can count the number of football games he’s played on one hand? Right tackle Menelik Watson is a British import who learned the sport in five games last year at a California JC. The guy is such a natural -- with both size and great footwork -- that he quickly won the job during the pre-season. And his near flawless play against Clemson earned ACC Player of the Week honors.

Q: USF beat FSU 17 to 7 back in 2009, which was one of the craziest games for USF fans to go to Tallahassee and get the upset win.  What are your memories of that game and is there any lingering “revenge” factor from the fans headed to this game?

A: Memories of that game are, frankly, painful. FSU was coming off a huge road win (54-28) over Brigham Young and appeared to have what it takes to win most of the rest of its games. But I think the Noles were still high on their strong showing against BYU and didn’t take USF as seriously as they should have that day. Result: They came out flat while the Bulls were on a mission. B.J. Daniels played like an All-American candidate rather than a freshman that few fans had heard of. USF coaches had a smart game plan, with a keen sense of how to exploit Mickey Andrews’ (former D-Coordinator) man coverage. Nole fans left early and headed for the nearest place serving alcohol. 

All of which should explain why revenge is definitely a factor -- for us fans. But for the team? Apparently not. At least not from what I’m hearing in player interviews. Only a small group of seniors were on the field in 2009, and they don’t seem to be preaching any kind of payback. Instead of ’09, I expect the Noles to be thinking of 2012 and the growing sense of being on a mission to make this season special.

Q: Final score prediction?

A: As in 2009, USF will have the emotional edge -- probably more so than last time due to the fact it’s a home game, and the awareness that a win will turn the Bulls season around. I wouldn’t be surprised to see South Florida draw first blood and be up by 7, 10 or even 14 points in the first half. But this is a different FSU team. And as with the Clemson game, I see the Noles seizing the momentum and putting the game away in the second half. My crystal ball says at the final gun the Raymond James scoreboard will read FSU 38, USF 17.