Here we go USF fans. The game that everyone has been talking about all season, the FSU Seminoles, are in town as the Bulls prepare for one of the biggest home games in program history. FSU, 4-0, ranked 4th in the country, is the highest ranked team the Bulls have ever faced at Raymond James Stadium.
FSU is a monster team, on all sides of the ball. Defensively they may be the best in the country with the tremendous talent and depth they have. After facing two cupcakes the first two weeks of the season, they have played better, shutting down ACC foe Wake Forest and battling 10th ranked Clemson, out shinning them on national TV. On offense, they are rolling right now, tearing up the running game and allowing E.J. Manuel to make things happen on offense.
Overall, FSU is scoring 56.2 points per game while allowing just 10 points per game (remember those numbers include Savannah State and Murray State). They are averaging 281 yards a game on the ground and 293 through the air. They are allowing 59 yards rushing per game and 124 yards per game through the air. The FSU front 4 is strong and Manuel, now a senior, is playing well. This is going to be probably the toughest game the Bulls have faced in the last few years. USF does have a little history with FSU, beating them back in 2009, but things do change and that was 3 years ago.
The Bulls beat FSU in 2009, 17 to 7, up in Tallahassee, in one of the biggest games in program history and there are a few Bulls from that game still on this roster. B.J. Daniels, then a freshman, was making his first start of the season and returned home to Tallahassee for the first time leading the Bulls to the win. He was just 8 of 21, but threw for 215 yards (2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) with 23 carries for 126 yards (remember the huge bomb pass to Griffin?). Sterling Griffin, who is now out for the year, had a huge 73-yard touchdown grab. Sam Barrington had 4 tackles, Jon Lejiste had 2 tackles and a huge hit on then FSU QB Christian Ponder. Michael Lanaris had a tackle and Victor Marc was on the roster as well, so the team has a lot of players that remember who the game, but this is a different Nole team we are facing this time.
The game is scheduled to start at 6PM on ESPN and we are expecting a sell out crowd and a crazy game with one of the best teams in the nation. USF, at 2-2 right now, let's see what they do and if they show up to this game.
Overall, FSU is scoring 56.2 points per game while allowing just 10 points per game (remember those numbers include Savannah State and Murray State). They are averaging 281 yards a game on the ground and 293 through the air. They are allowing 59 yards rushing per game and 124 yards per game through the air. The FSU front 4 is strong and Manuel, now a senior, is playing well. This is going to be probably the toughest game the Bulls have faced in the last few years. USF does have a little history with FSU, beating them back in 2009, but things do change and that was 3 years ago.
The Bulls beat FSU in 2009, 17 to 7, up in Tallahassee, in one of the biggest games in program history and there are a few Bulls from that game still on this roster. B.J. Daniels, then a freshman, was making his first start of the season and returned home to Tallahassee for the first time leading the Bulls to the win. He was just 8 of 21, but threw for 215 yards (2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) with 23 carries for 126 yards (remember the huge bomb pass to Griffin?). Sterling Griffin, who is now out for the year, had a huge 73-yard touchdown grab. Sam Barrington had 4 tackles, Jon Lejiste had 2 tackles and a huge hit on then FSU QB Christian Ponder. Michael Lanaris had a tackle and Victor Marc was on the roster as well, so the team has a lot of players that remember who the game, but this is a different Nole team we are facing this time.
The game is scheduled to start at 6PM on ESPN and we are expecting a sell out crowd and a crazy game with one of the best teams in the nation. USF, at 2-2 right now, let's see what they do and if they show up to this game.
This is a disaster for the USF. Had they at least taken care of business against Rutgers and Ball State they would've gone into this game 4-0 with their heads up with confidence and something to prove. After two back-to-back heartbreaking losses to two teams they definitely could've beaten had they not shot themselves in the foot I don't see how they mentally get it together. They can't just be good against FSU they have to find a way to be exceptionally great and how can they do that when their very core has been shaken. I don't know I'm pulling for them but don't know how long I can watch if things get ugly.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I’m with you. I support the team and the student athletes, but the coaching has been bad. Guys are out of position, adjustments are not made. Like you said, this FSU game could be a rough one. It is getting hard to watch, but still blindly keeping the faith.
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