Top OOC Games of 2007: #6 Florida State at Florida
Posted on 2007 under ACC, Analysis, BCS Conferences, SEC |11 Jun
#6 Florida State at Florida
This match up between two teams in the Sunshine State should be the best one between two teams from the state of Florida this season. Last year they played at the end of the regular season, and even though the Seminoles had a down year they still put a scare in the Gators. The Gators came out victorious in the contest 21-14 and a few weeks later capture their second National Title by manhandling Ohio State.
With a lot of skilled athletes on both teams, this game could once again be a showdown for who still has a chance to play in the BCS National Title game as they meet on November 24, hopefully the game right before their respective conference championship games. Due to graduation the Gators lost QB Chris Leak; FS Reggie Nelson; WR Dallas Baker; RB DeShawn Wynn; DE Jarvis Moss; and CB Reggie Lewis, but with the recent recruiting success of the Gators, it will only be a matter of games before the new guys are back up to speed.
Tim Tebow will be the full-time starting quarterback, and his only question mark is his throwing ability. We all know he can run the ball, and do that well, but can he balance that with a passing attack that will keep the teams guessing. My thought is he will be fine with excellent receivers in Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell to target.
The Seminoles on the other hand have some question marks at quarterback. Drew Weatherford was suppose to be the man, but after a lackluster season he still finds himself fighting Xavier Lee for the starting job. When that is settled, they will find two good receivers in Greg Carr and De’Cody Fagg to catch the ball. Antone Smith will take over at running back and hope to improve a rushing attack that was 103rd in the country last year.
The defense, led by their strong secondary should be the strong point for Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles. They will need to improve on their pass rush that only netted them 27 sacks last year.
This game will be a good with a lot of raw talent on the football field. 2007 should be a better season for the Seminoles, but I don’t think they will be up to the Gators’ level just yet. It will be a close one in the Swamp with the Gators pulling it out in the 4th quarter.
by Brian Sakowski
by bill bullard, on June 17 2007 @ 1:19 pm
First of all Bobby Bowden needs to step down. back in 1983 my family owned an USFL franchise and offered Bobby an lucritive contract which in turn made Bobby the highest paid coach in college football. At the time Bobby had the best assistant coachses in college ball. This ended with the departure of Mark Richt. Should Bobby Bowden put FSU football program first or his eago by being the all time winningest coach in NCAA history. Jimbo Fisher, good hire. But when you really think about it where do future recruits really want to end up, UF or FSU, Bobby ball or young bright Urban Meyer. Please, comeon now, look at the recruits. florida has just had its best recruiting class ever and I do not see FSU beating Florida in the next five games, no matter who plays QB, Granny Clampett could throw behind Florida Gators offensive line. Did anybody go to the spring games? I did, although FSU looked alot better but Florida looked better than they did against Ohio State. My guess Florida 42 Florida State 13. Sorry.
by Gerald Nichols, on June 17 2007 @ 1:51 pm
My guess is Bill Bullard is correct. Bobby Bowden did make a good move by hiring Jimbo Fisher, although this is not enough. Florida has the swagger on the gris iron that Florida State had in the 90″s, Football, BasketBall,and just fired the baseball coach because they just want to win. I saw Floridas spring scrimmage game and they looked awesome at every position. The only weekness could be in the Defensive backfield, but speed kills. Florida should win the SEC east with no problem, and then SEC championship. Although national Championship is a strech,it could happen. This should be Bobby Bowdens last year. Jimbo Fisher will be the next FSU head coach. I am an FSU ex football player who loves Bobby Bowden, but it is time to give the program a new look. FLA 35, FSU 7.