I am on record here as stating Notre Dame would in no way score more than 14 points. Well they scored 14 points. FSU had given up an average of 9.2 points per game in their last five games. Notre Dame I must add was given a gift of seven points due to Devonta Freeman's fumble which is unusual for him. He is the last guy you normally expect to make that kind of mistake.

As we all feared, the freshman offensive lineman began immediately with mistakes as Bobby Hart was called offsides virtually killing the initial FSU drive. The offensive line was virtually ineffective through the first half. E. J. Manuel was virtually having to run for his life and get rid of the ball very swiftly. Notre Dame took the lead and it appeared to be another one of (those games.)

In the second half something began to happen, the offensive line made up of four freshman began to provide a certain amount of protection to quarterback E. J. Manuel and he began hitting open receivers. There is a certain amount of optimism to be taken here. The lineman are young but lets not forget very highly rated. I was not totally disappointed here. Offensive line coach Rick Trickett has taken a certain amount of criticism here lately but I think most of us would agree when a lineman steps on the field for coach Trickett he is in top condition. I think this showed in the second half of the Notre Dame game. The young FSU line began to tire the Notre Dame defense.

I think this group of offensive lineman have a chance to be much better next year. A year under Vic Viloria should do wonders for them. The key is to play as well in the first half of games as they did the last half of the Notre Dame game.

A 9-4 year will send the team into the off season with a certain amount of confidence. It ensures a top 25 finish this season. That is not all bad but not what most of us expected including myself as I thought FSU would have 10 to 11 wins. I think most would agree it took some extraordinary key injuries and perhaps a curse to lose games to Wake and Virginia. With a break here and there FSU could have won one or both the OU and Clemson games. This however is water over the bridge at this point.

The real question next year remains, can the offensive line round into shape and provide some blocking and pass protection. This game provides a little hope that yes just maybe it can.

I can't believe the season is over already and yes I am looking forward to the Clemson game next year.

According to Andrea Adelson this is the quote from one FSU fan before last night's game. I have news for all we are nothing with him either. When I think of the FSU defense and how to describe it, words like stealth defense, air defense and the invisible defense come to mind. You know it is there but you just can't see it. 

Georgia Tech had two one play touchdown drives and one two play touchdown drive. The only time they did not march in to score they bobbled the football, other wise it was off to the races. When you score 45 points and your quarterback is breaking his own passing record from week to week aren't you supposed to win once in awhile? Maybe I am just confused here. 

Andrea it seems could only find fans who think Bobby should stay forever, do whatever he wants and coach as long as he wants no matter what happens. I call it the Samarai syndrome. The only problem is the way of the Samarai is death! That seems to be the way FSU football is headed. 

It is obvious to me the fans still sporting the Bobby forever mentality don't look around at a partially empty stadium that will hold 83,000 fans. It is rarely ever full any more and less likely to be in the future so it seems. I am curious as to where the Bobby Bowden PR faction plan to acquire funds to run this football program because that is the way football works. No funding, no recruits and no success. 

Bobby Bowden has expressed his desire to still direct the program. It would be nice if he would take a note from Paterno who works on a reduced salary. We are in an economic turn down. Coach Bowden could donate his salary back into the University this year as show of loyalty and goodwill. 

On a serious note there are signs that adults are gearing up to take charge and they don't seem to come from the president or the athletic director's office. I am talking about the boosters and Jim Smith who have admitted that areas of funding and recruiting are drying up and it is time to move past the Bowden era. Anyone want to sing a few verses of Mendelssohns Hallelujah chorus with me?

We can at least take heart in this because football and watching our fan base is becoming a little embarrassing to me. If it were not for the fact we are 2-4, we would be 6-0. It is beginning to make sense to me now. 

They will work great for all those who bother to buy tickets any more but I would suggest wearing paper bags also as an accessory. Many of us wait all year for the football season and then we are treated to this spectacle. I have to admit it was news to me that Jimbo Fisher was relegated to the number five position on Bobby Bowden's depth chart. 

There is no excuse for this. The only explanation for this is more cronyism from the Bowden clan who I really can't believe  actually felt were going to squeeze in more relatives on the Florida State payroll. This whole charade has truly become a nightmare. If you don't believe this why is Terry Bowden addressing the press in Alabama and suggesting FSU pay Jimbo Fisher his buyout and move on? He is actually suggesting the canning of Jimbo Fisher, the only bright spot in the FSU football program and returning hiring decisions back to Bobby Bowden his father. 

This suggestion is so blatantly calling for more nepotism I am appalled. Can anyone of sound mind and body not wonder if he thinks he is next in line for a position at FSU should Fisher leave? His mother Ann Bowden addressed the boosters and exclaimed they had been betrayed! Is Ann Bowden part of the FSU coaching staff? She did not think the boosters should be interfering in the coaching? Well Ann somebody needs to because your husband hasn't been doing a very good job lately. 

Fortunately Jim Smith an influential booster has finally had enough and called for change. He is a sharp man and obviously sees what is going on here. FSU has leaned over backwards to pacify the Bowden clan but apparently you can never do enough. It is obvious that Bobby Bowden's family really thinks they are Florida State University and why not they have had an enabler in P. K. Wetherell who has done nothing to dissuade this attitude in years. 

I have a great loyalty to Florida State, I spent some of the best years of my life were spent there. I value the University and it's integrity much more highly than any feelings toward Bobby Bowden. Yes football contributes greatly to a University image and right now Bobby Bowden and his family are in fifth gear tearing that image apart. Many people are sympathetic to the Bowden family but they don't have any idea what the real picture is all about.

A fourteen year top five run is a great accomplishment but UF winning 2 national championships in three years certainly does put Bobby Bowden's two national titles in 33 years in perspective if nothing else. It certainly doesn't suggest he should coach forever and do anything he wants to do concerning the FSU program. 

Bobby Bowden needs to announce his retirement date at the end of the year and do it immediately. Major decisions in the football program need to be placed in the hands of the head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher before more damage is incurred. 

I will applaud the students who do show up dressed in black for the next game and I think it is only a start. Some definite messages need to be sent out to the public, the administration and the media by all who are interested that the current situation is intolerable, fans and students will no longer be ignored and will speak their minds until their voices are heard. 

We have been treated around here lately to a bevy of new posters running damage control and let me say I have nothing but contempt for you. If you are not out right lying you have no idea what you are talking about. You have not been following FSU very closely. 

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Along with a quality football team, Peter Tom Willis is just another casualty of the Ann Bowden clan regime now presiding over FSU.  It wasn't parity Bobby it was a high school offense and everybody with a room temperature I. Q. knew Fredo would fail at the time. Why didn't you? You are being paid to know these things and paid well I might add. 

FSU is at a point where this entire ridiculous sham and spectacle needs to come to and end. We need to move forward. The rest of this season Jimbo Fisher needs to be granted final say in all decisions.  That should include recruiting, assistants and game plan. Those who are not on board he needs authority to terminate them immediately. 

This needs to be demonstrated to all potential recruits, the ones on board and the ones we have recently lost due Shakespearian power Putsch being led by Bobby Bowden and Chucky. Nothing else will do. If you had any decency Bobby Bowden you would forego the next big payday and resign forthwith. Everybody sees what you are trying to accomplish. We are still suffering from the hiring of one of your failed offspring and we do not need another nor do we need you having any input on Chuck Amato being retained at FSU whatsoever. 

Former players who love you more than Florida State University should at least be willing to alleviate the financial shortfall your failed decisions have led to. Peter Tom Willis is looking for a job who can hire him? Ticket sales are down, who will pick up the slack? Will some of you recruit for free? Recruiting is down and only half the staff is out beating the bushes. The rest are hoping Fisher, Trickett and Coley fail so they can have a clean sweep, sign Bobby and Ann long term and bring in junior from the northern boonies of Alabama. 

Students being threatened for organizing a black out? Give me a break. Is this the Soviet Union or a football program we are talking about here? I will never attend another game as long as Bobby Bowden is the coach at FSU, never!

All of you concerned we will never forget the part any of you played in bringing the premiere football program in the nation to it's very knees with egotistical cronyism and greed. I salute Jim Smith and all trustees who recognized what was going on and stepped in to try and right the situation. We still have eight games to play this season and the attention should be focused there. Place Fisher in a position to have the final say on all decisions. The current coach has proven simply incompetent. Enough really is enough!

FSU is not responsible for failing real estate schemes by people who can't manage their money nor fraudulent gambling schemes in the Bahamas. 

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-85878503.html

Over and above the cyber army of relatives and work at home sycophants on minimum wage let us take a look at the major Bobby Bowden advocates at this point, Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier and the UF student body and assorted organizations. They have one thing in common, they all think Bobby should coach forever! 

http://florida.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?SID=882&fid=865&style=2&tid=126611643&Page=2

http://florida.rivals.com/forum.asp?style=2&sid=882&fid=865&pid=126598303

The Seminoles today were almost handed the car keys. BYU  knocked off the highly ranked Oklahoma Sooners. That means FSU will arrive in Utah for the third game of the season to play the giant killers.  Yes I know Bradford was knocked out of the game. Well that is football every team needs depth. At this point I haven't received any sympapthy cards concerning the knees of Tavaris Presley or Justin Mincey. 

All the Seminoles have to do is show a winning hand against the canes Monday night,  beat Perriloux State and roll into Provo and beat BYU. From what I saw today that is highly doable. I honestly think Florida State has much more talent that BYU although they are a decent team. Their running back and receivers are not that impressive. 

Today was a good day. Up until half time It looked like Virginia Tech had a shot at beating Alabama. The Virginia Tech defense is good enough to win most games. Their offensive coordinator reminds me of Jeff Bowden. Springstine or whatever his name is needs to go.. 

An Alabama loss coupled with the Georgia loss today would have blocked out some of the chin static from the insufferable talking heads and SEC boosters such as Brent Musberger. I would like to see it end early this season as it is extremely annoying. 

Right now I am watching the best game of the day Washington vs LSU and Washington is giving them all they want. Sarkisian is a very impressive young head coach.  I could tell right away they were probably going to give LSU all they want. He has sparked an offense that has lost 14 in a row and it looks great. It is going to be a circus type offense and it is very impressive. I also like his confidence and the way he relates to players.  The problem with Wasjhington right now is their defense they don't have quite the talent they need there yet. They are not stopping LSU but moving the ball very very well. 

A SEC loss in Washington coupled with the Georgia loss today and a fairly close loss by VT to Alabama would go a long way towards proving the gators are the SEC period and the rest of the league is not any  better than most of the other top 25 teams.  It is 24-13 but Washington is playing pretty well. 

Of course all this means nothing if FSU does not beat the canes. This is a big game. 

What else do we need to say here? Second play of the scrimmage and he goes 80 yards. Can anybody stop us? Ty "Superman" Jones breaks multiple tackles for 11 immediately afterwards. Ponder then hits Rod Owens for 71 yard TD. Eddinger 15 yards to Josh Geyres, oh wait they said he was a wasted scholly. Ponder to Thomas for 12. 13 to Cameron Wade another wasted scholly. Ponder to Givens for 26 yard TD in the redzone. Sims 20 yards up the middle for a TD in the redzone. Ponder says the offensive line is giving him tons of time to throw the football. On a wet field there were some drops and fumbles. Overall not bad as they were concentrating on running the ball. Give Mickey some smelling salts. Brandon Jenkins continued to do well at defensive end. I think he and Toshman Stevens are going to be alright there.

We have had endless debates over the years concerning whether or not state newspapers favor the University of Florida when it comes to reporting sporting events.

 

I ran across an article here I think should stand on it's own and end the debate. Whitley admits the truth but attributes it to the recent economic downturn and lack of funding at major newspapers. I have for years marveled at sporting headlines as the gators receive one third of a page and events at FSU receive a small paragraph.

 

Bianchi himself writes articles taking one shot after another at FSU and it's athletic program and most of them should be reserved for the cartoon pages. If this article is true and I think it is concerning papers facing dire economic times I can only laugh with glee at the prospects of Whitley and Bianchi lining up at the unemployment offices.

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-whitley19031909mar19,0,3442282.column

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportscolwhitley19021909feb19,0,7286204.column

This article is pertinent enough to FSU on what is happening with assistant coaching salaries I thought I would link it. We all know Kiffen has been luring some big names to Tennessee.

 

He is is doing all this by offering the coaches larger salaries and taking less of the pie himself. Kiffen will make around 2 million dollars, substantially less than Herban Meyer and Bobby Bowden. 

 

We are in some perilous economic times and I have a feeling this may be a trend in college football as administrations seek to reduce costs. 

 

It also may have some answers as to why there is a hangup on Trickett's contract. This trend in salary structure could very soon place him in a much higher income bracket as he is probably one of the top 2 offensive line coaches in the country. I will rank Notre Dame's John Latina up there with him. 

 

Trickett may become very hard to keep around unless the administration comes up with a fairly lucrative contract. 

 

Are you listening BB? This last year would have been a great time for him to scale back his salary for the good of the program, accept less and pay assistants more. It would have alleviated some of the angst among the play station all americans. 

 

 

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090131/ARTICLES/901310333/1142/SPORTS?Title=Jeff_Bowden_joins_Terry_Bowden_s_coaching_staff

 

It has been mentioned in the press that Terry Bowden has hired brother Jeff at North Alabama. Being a football coach can pay great dividends these days if you are good at what you are doing. 

After fruitless attempts to get back into coaching at West Virginia and other places, Terry finally landed at job at North Alabama, the Bowdens always seemed to want to coach football in bama.

The West Virginia job fell through even after FSU coach Bobby Bowden called the school president and offered to help recruit for them while FSU president T. K. Wetherell was on vacation in Montana. This in the face of FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher who was also being pursued for the job. Blood is thicker than water and offensive coordinators or head coaches in waiting. 

Fortunately coach Fisher seems to realize what a position he finds himself in as the Florida State University president T. K. Wetherell stated concerning Fisher: In his heart he is a Seminole. Jimbo Fisher does not belong at WVU. He belongs at Florida State and he is going to be very successful."

I visit many websites and I can't help wondering if some of the ridiculous comments concerning Terry is the heir apparent at FSU and so on are not really some of the Bowden clan nephews and toddlers. 

I don't see coach Terry doing to well if Jeff is his best choice as a member of the coaching staff. His robotic like personality and tendency to blame everything on the players when he himself has no idea how to motivate or coach them.

No I hope North bama goes 0-11 thank you. I will never forgive the Bowden clan for what happened at FSU. They built a dynasty and they brought it down single handily with a willful spiteful, money grubbing, self serving form of egotism. 

I don't particularly enjoy criticizing the happenings at Florida State but it is my school and I enjoyed some of the best years of my life there. I remained silent for a long time but no more. 

I am not firmly convinced that former president Sandy D'Alemberte the University of Florida grad was not secretly ecstatic over Bobby Bowden selecting Jeff as his offensive coordinator to replace Mark Richt. Can anyone say manchurian candidate?

There does exist a gator lobby in the Florida legislature and it is well heeled. I can't rule out the possibility that maybe they felt if you can't beat them on the field beat them in the political arena. Give BB some rope and feed his ego. 

Of course I don't know what really went on during this time frame, I am simply a playstation All American. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I no longer see why there should be much debate on this. When you are almost 80 years old, coaching college football is not where you need to be. 

 

I have been willing to try and not be too critical for years but lately I can't shake the feeling that I have just had enough of coach Bobby Bowden. I instinctively realized something was wrong when Jeff Bowden was hired as offensive coordinator. In my mind history shows my instincts were correct. 

 

Let us skip the debate on what coach Bowden has done for FSU and consider what he is going to do for FSU the next two years. He is going to be a further drag on the football program and the University itself. It is really that simple. To cut through the chafe I believe coach Bowden is operating on ego only at this point. I also believe two and one half millions dollars is hard to walk away from whether it is in the interests of the university or not. 

 

Now many people will say coach Bowden is an icon. Yes he is but let us look at a similar situation. At UF coach Steve Spurrier was also an icon. He made UF relevant in football really for the first time in it's history. When he left and was considering a return, University of Florida President Bernie Machen stepped in and drew the line. He wanted Meyer and that was it. There was no talk of what Steve had done for the program or icons. The bottom line was what will make UF a better football program. 

 

If you look around now, he was right. Steve Spurrier would not have won two national titles in three years. It simply would not have happened. What FSU has needed for some time is the same sort of decision making at the higher echelons of Florida State University. Some serious thought by the boosters should help. It is their money. 

 

I would hope they look at this carefully. Coach Bowden is not going to make the right decisions on his own. His contract is coming up for renewal. In the meantime we have not extended coach Trickett's contract. It is my opinion that reductions in salary should be considered for coach Bowden in order to keep coaches who are coaching at Florida State. 

 

If coach Fisher or Trickett bolted FSU at this point it would set the program back years. I really feel the ball is in the court of T. K. Wetherell and and boosters at this point. Give it some thought and do what is right. 

 

In 2008 FSU  signed the number seven recruiting class in the country or there about according to recruiting services. 

 

I suppose the biggest surprise was stealing wide receiver Jarmon Fortson from Auburn. He is a four star with good hands speed and size and bullies cornerbacks.

 

Tavares "Heartbreak Hotel" Presley, Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones were good pickups at running back and much needed. This was crucial and looks to be an instant running game with the offensive line pickups recruited by Trickett. Presley suffered and ACL his in his second Fall practice. He should be available for the 2009 year. 

 

El Camino quarterback Boo Williams describes Presley as the quickest man he has ever seen and he rushed for 1200 yards in JUCO as a freshman. His team mate 5 star Corey Surrency is coming with him and no one has convinced me this guy cannot do anything Julio Jones can do although he is a little lighter. 

 

Jermaine Thomas is another vastly underrated running back who rushed for 6 touchdowns in two weeks at first coast highschool.  He was highly recruited by LSU and almost stolen away. He is the type football player who tells team mates not to quit, he will break one eventually.  The report on him calls him a nightmare in the open field. We saw some of this in 2008.

 

Wide receiver Avis Commack is a team mate of Thomas was recruited with him. This four star is also loaded with potential, currently at 6-1 and running a 4-5 forty yard dash. If I am not mistaken he redshirted in 2008.

 

A. J. Alexander is also on board and is one of the fastest men in America with a 4.31 forty. His father outran Rocket Ishamil in high school. 

 

Of course we cannot forget E. J. Manuel. The debate as to which quarterback in the country between him and Pryor is still ongoing. He projects to be Fisher's next Jamarcus Russell, a number one draft pick. When you throw for 7400 yards and 68 touchdowns in high school that pretty much is enough said. 

 

Manuel has stated "I could not pass up an opportunity to be coached by Jimbo Fisher."

 

2 star Ty Jones has the potential to be Fisher's next Jacob Hester. at 5-11, 4-5 speed and 215 pounds, suffice it to say he is a load. His team mates he played with actually called him superman. He is said to be a built like a heavy weight boxer and picked up 1200 hard yards in a tough league in Tampa. He unfortunately was set back with diabetes related problems for awhile in 2008 but should be available for the bowl game. 

 

Imeokparia  comes in at the safety position. He is rated as a three star running back but will not play that at FSU. He is quick at 4.4 and will provide much needed talent at the safety position. He is said to be a pretty tough fellow and picked up the hard yards for his team in New Jersey. He also suffered an ACL in fall practice. 

 

The two Nigels at linebacker, well everybody knows about them and FSU opponents will get to see more of them. Bradham is a five star and rated the best in the nation by many. An early enrollee and already benching 480 pounds. Veteran Seminoles say he can be as strong as he wants to be before he leaves FSU.  He was benching 480 pounds at last report. 

 

Terrance Parks is a much needed pickup at cornerback and I would not trade him for any of them. He stayed with Julio Jones in the Army game stride for stride. At 6-1, 200 pounds he is a big one. He will redshirt and be available for 2009.

 

Juco Markus White will be a monster at Defensive end. This five star will be a welcome addition. If he stays healthy he can provide the rush from the corners the Seminoles have been missing lately when teamed with Everette Brown. 

 

It pains me to say that British Footman and Travis Arnold did not qualify and will go JUCO. They are two tremendous football players. Debrale Smiley was also signed and will go JUCO. Hopefully these three show up down the road. 

 

Trickett projects Zebrie Sanders to be an NFL first rounder.He was the winner of the Anthony Munoz Award as the best high school offensive lineman in a three state area.  David Spurlock was a finalist for Mr. Football in Tennessee, Chainsaw Datko is rated one of the best offensive lineman in the South Florida area, Rhonne Sanderson was selected for the Kynes Trophy in the Tampa area over UF 5 star Matt Patchan, Garrett Faircloth is another good one who turned down Vanderbilt and Ole Miss.  Trickett is especially fond of his 2 star Blake Snider who told Trickett "I am not afraid of nothing." Snider also hit 308 in highschool baseball in Alabama and is the son of a highschool coach. 

 

As best I can determine Faircloth and Snider had some cartilage problems with knees and should be ready for spring football. 

 

Datko's high school coach says he will do anything to win. He has been voted freshman all american in 2008. 

 

Most of Trickett]s line recruits sport over a 3.0 GPA average. They won't be academic casualties and will be around for the long haul. 

 

It is hard to argue that FSU did not meet it's needs with the 2008 class.

 

 

The effects of Bob LaCivita being hired as recruiting coordinator at FSU has been positive. He formerly worked in this position at the University of Florida. With his hire comes new methods of recruiting involving targeting a recruit early and presenting a breakdown of outstanding recruits to coaches for their evaluation. Also new computer methods of training have been introduced. His methods seem to be working well as FSU is now rated  number 6 in country for the 2008 class. 

 

Coach Bobby Bowden has recently signed a one year contract extension and this means the nation's premiere offensive coordinator is being groomed as a head coach in waiting as he turned down a lucrative multi- million dollar contract at WVU in his home state to remain at FSU. In his heart he is a Seminole.. This signals that he has been given the  green light to restore the FSU offense to it's former high level and ease the transition when coach Bobby Bowden retires. 

 

Our new offensive coordinator,  Jimbo Fisher, masterminded the leading offense in the South Eastern Conference, rolling up an astounding 404.2 yards an outing in a conference that many argue is the strongest in the nation. 

 

During his final season at LSU, his offense won it's final seven games culminating in a 41-14 blowout of Notre Dame in the Sugar bowl resulting in an 11-2 season. It was coach Fisher's third Sugar Bowl Victory and second eleven game winning season in a row. 

 

The LSU offense under Fisher featured a passing attack that rolled up 345.0 yards a game led by Jamarcus Russell who was an all SEC selection at quarterback completing 68.5 per cent off his passes with twenty six touchdowns.The running game featured production night in and night out and was spread out among several different backs. 

 

Jimbo Fisher a host of formations which are said to be much more balanced than some of the schemes seen in college football today but are very much as complicated in terminology. Coach Fisher is known for his ability to adapt during the course of a season and utilize players as talent permits. 

 

Coach Fisher actually uses five or more type formations and Quarterbacks have been quoted as saying: "Coach Fisher's offense has everything, the spread, shotgun, reads, pro-set, play action. It is not just one thing it is everything." He does prefer a quarterback learn the nuances of his schemes for a couple of years. He is not big on throwing a rookie into the fire. LSU benefited this past season using Matt Flynn who had been groomed by Fisher but never started much more than a couple of games at LSU. He won the national title as a senior. In 2008 without a Fisher groomed quarterback LSU did not exactly challenge for the national title. 

 

Before he was the offensive coordinator at LSU, coach Fisher was the mastermind of an offense at Cinncinnatti which averaged 424.4 yards a game and was the 16 rated in the nation. He also coached Dameyune Craig at Auburn who was their only 3000 yard quarterback in history as well as Stan White and Patrick Nix. 

 

Jimbo Fisher now has a comittment from the number one drop back quarterback in the country of the 2008 class in E. J. Manuel who has stated "I could not pass up a chance to be coached by Jimbo Fisher. 

 

Rick Trickett was also hired as the new offensive line coach. He worked with Jimbo Fisher at Auburn under Terry Bowden and was part of 20 straight wins. Several offensive lineman there groomed under Trickett were first round picks. 

 

When coach Trickett arrived at West Virginia their running game was rated number 37th in the nation and by the end of the second year was rated as the number two running game in college football. He uses the zone blocking scheme, a complex scheme which requires big, tough, mobile lineman with a mean streak. He is now in the process of recruiting these type lineman at FSU. It may take him another year to fine tune things. 

 

 

Trickett knows what he is looking for in lineman. You can see he brought in 3 star Rodney Hudson who started as a true freshman and was recently named 2nd Team All ACC. Trickett said most would be after him if he was 6-4 but it did not matter to Trickett as he had followed the kid since junior highschool. It is is similar with Ganguzza who basically recruited Trickett. 

 

If rumors are correct, when Ganguzza failed to get an offer from Rick Trickett, he left a very graphic message on his cellphone (censored) graphically explaining how Trickett would pay watching him on the field. Trickett promptly called him back and decided he could use him.

 

Coach Trickett turned away four star lineman Chris Little because he did not consider him mobile enough to play in his system. Little eventually enrolled at Georgia and Antwane Greenleee, a Georgia committ switched his allegiance to FSU because of Trickett in 2007. Greenlee is loaded with potential and hopefully he can rebound from a neck injury sustained last season. At 6-6, 305 pounds he may well become the stalwart that will give FSU quarterbacks more time to throw the football. 

 

Little has since transferred from Georgia. 

 

Recently Ryan McMahon was voted freshman All American and Rodney Hudson 2nd team All ACC as well as a freshman All American. It may have happened before in college football but I am not aware of it, a new offensive line coach taking a litlle used freshman tackle (Ryan McMahon) and a pure freshman, Rodney Hudson and making them freshman All Americans. If it has been done before, someone help me out here. In 2008 Trickett once again added to his legend by placing Datko on the freshman all american team. Trickett was quoted as saying, "that is what I told you would happen when I came here. "

 

 

The running game finally begin to click in the bowl game against Kentucky last year as Antone Smith ran for 156 yards coming back from injuries. In 2008 the Seminole rushing attack finished #32 in the nation, the highest it has been rated in ten years and this was with a mostly freshman line handpicked by Rick Trickett. 

 

Jermaine Thomas appears to be everything people thought he would be and Ty "Superman" Jones finally was healthy enought to emerge in the blowout bowl win over Wisconsin rushing 4 times for 55 yards and one touchdown. 

 

The FSU scoring offense took a tremendous jump to #27 in the nation, also something not seen for awhile in Tallahassee. 

 

 

Former FSU All American and NFL Rookie of the Year, Lawrence Dawsey was also added to the staff as a wide receiver coach and NFL great Dexter Carter, another former Seminole was added as running backs coach. Dawsey has enjoyed coaching success at LSU and USF. 

 

Todd Stroud who worked with Chuck Amato at NCS was added as strength and conditioning coach. 

 

This new staff may well not restore FSU back to top five finishes as fast as many would like but they will get the job done. They are too talented to fail and if the fans do not realize this the football recruits do as they are coming aboard. These new coaches are off to a blazing start on the recruiting trail.

 

It will be beneficial for the offensive lineman to spend a year under Trickett's conditioning program and study technique. Trickett's first words to the FSU faithful was "I am not a miracle worker but I am a hard worker."  He has also been quoted as saying "When they all buy in, we are going to win and we are going to win big."

 

When the offensive line takes off and it will,  it will open new dimensions in the offensive schemes.  Better running routes will develope and the quarterback will have more time to throw. 

 

It  has stated that where personnel used to be four deep where it now is only two deep. This is the difference in the years he coached here and the situation now. Coley has deep recruiting roots in South Florida where he was the former offensive coordinator at FUI. 

 

 

The recruiting class in 2007 was rated number 7  in the nation and includes the top rated quarterback in the country in E. J. Manuel. Efforts have been very successful with the additon of some highly rated defensive ends and skill defensive backs such as Terrance Parks. The 2009 class is almost full and very close to a top 10 class with a few more scholarships to offer.

 

Everett Dawkins has the skill level to receive some playing time as a pure freshman at defensive end. He is a big one weighing in at 250 pounds. FSU in my opinion is still not very deep at the tackle position but Jaccobbi McDaniels and Demonte McAllister should help here. One more tackle in 2009 would be very wise. 

 

Red shirt skill position players such as Bert Reed and Taiwan Easterling have meshed into the lineup and added depth. Easterling really turned heads in this years spring practice outings. He caught everything that came his way. Missing out on Julio Jones was tough but Alabama using the governor to call him before national signing day should explain the appeal of Jimbo Fisher on top of the line athletes. Top 100 five star receiver Corey Surrency, a JUCO All American was added this season and hopefully the NCAA will rule he has a final year of eligibility. He did not have the year he wanted but hopefully can get another year of eligibility. 

 

So to those who wish to paint a dreary picture of FSU football I would say you are most probably in for a big surprise. Most knowledgeable followers of football have noticed that the winds of change are blowing across the campus in Tallahassee.  

 

Recruits who have comitted such as Vincent Williams a highly touted linebacker and others helped with the recruiting process and have been making statements such as "You either choose FSU or lose to FSU made an impression on this year's class. 

 

At present FSU has already reeled in top rated defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniels the highest rated defensive tackle in the nation until he committed early. Rating services don't like this apprpoach. Demonte McAllister is not far behind. He is either a DE or defensive tackle at around 6-3, 260 but the book indicates extremely strong and cat quick. 

 

The 2009 recruiting class boasts the nations number one kicker in Dustin Hopkins. 

 

One player not many talk about is John Prior. This is an offensive tackle out of Ohio who coaches refer to as an enforcer. He suffered ankle injuries from a construction job and was passed on by Ohio State due to the injury. At 6.6, 280 he can well develope into the kind of left tackle Trickett has been seeking. 

 

Gerald Demps is another three star who is vastly underrated by the rating services except for ESPN who rates this corner/safety as the #70th ranked football player in America. He is a very under the radar player. 

 

Bryan Stork of Vero Beach is another some had questions about. He is listed at 6-4, 250 pounds and projected at tightend where FSU is very thin but many think he can develpe into an offensive lineman. Film shows the guy is a high energy pancake machine even at that weight. He also listed FSU as the place he wanted to be very early on. 

 

Chris Thompson is another very intriguing recruit in that he is 5-8, 180 but simply makes play after play. We normally think of guys this size as having 4.3 speed but he is clocked at 4.5. He is successful due to the almost unbelievable moves and cuts he is capable of making. This one will be fun to watch. He appears slated as a slotback. 

 

Lonnie Pryor is a tailback recruit who will come in around 6-0, 195 pounds with 4.5 speed. He is a nice combination of size and speed and ran for 366 yards in one highschool game. He is a straight up type runner.  Henry Orelus is coming in him and my guess is as a center. 

 

Willie Haulstead, Xavier Rhodes and Rodney Smith will be coming in at wide receiver. They all show potential and Smith seems to be the leaper of the bunch with very good timing but also runs very good routes for a guy who is 6.5. 

 

JaJuan Harley is listed as 6-0/193/4.37 out of the Tallahassee area and it has been a long time since FSU had a safety with this kind of speed. Another safety with a soft verbal is Justin Bright out of south Carolina. He is a recruit that will need to add strength but is billed as a fearless hitter. He is also carrying around a 4.0 average which doesn't hurt. 

 

Willie Downs is another safety who had a big game in the Army all star game taking an interception back for a touchdown. 

 

Brandon Jenkins and Ed Stinson round out the two defensive end recruits and both have good size.

 

Last but not least is C. J. Mizell. This linebacker I am sure everyone has heard about. The book on him is that he is a throwback to another era. He throws offensive opponents around like cordwood. At 6-2, 208 he has plenty of room to add more weight to his frame.  

FSU is certainly not inferior to the SEC. With 15 points against the gates we outscored Georgia, Tennessee, Vandy, USC, Arkansas and Kentucky. We as well outscored Miami and Hawaii. LSU managed 21 points but LSU did not finish the season as a top 25 ranked team. They are around 40th in the nation now. 

 

There is nothing going on in the SEC outside of hype and the shell game is over. It has two good teams UF and Alabama and Jimbo is 1-0 against Alabama. 

 

FSU is still the elephant in the living room and the standard by which gators measure themselves by. They wish the same accomplishments but they have 13 more years of top five and ten win seasons to go yet. Good luck in your your journey gates.

 

ACC vs SEC 

#1 SEC beat #4 ACC

#1 SEC beat #10 ACC

#2 SEC beat #9 ACC 

#3 ACC beat #3 SEC

#7 ACC beat #5 SEC

#7 ACC beat #4 SEC

#12 ACC beat #5 SEC

BCS COMPETITION
The following indicates the percentage of non-conference competition played against fellow BCS-league opponents:

Conf.	BCS Foes/OOC Games	Pct.
ACC	23/48	47.9%
Pac 10	14/31	45.2%
Big East	16/41	39.0%
Big XII	15/48	31.3%
SEC	15/48	31.3%
Big Ten	13/44	29.5%

And each conference's record against other power-league competition:

Conf.	Record	Pct.
ACC	15-8	.652
Big East	9-7	.563
Big XII	7-8	.467
Big Ten	6-7	.462
Pac 10	6-8	.429
SEC	6-9	.400

 

 

http://accfootballreport.blogspot.com/2008/12/out-of-conference-report-08-at-regular_10.html

 

 

 

Tough SEC? How tough is this? This is the reality of college football 2008

 

#45 LSU

#52 Vandy

#61 Kentucky

#62 Arkansas

#63 Tennessee

#37 South Carolina

#92 Mississippi State

#73 Auburn

 

ACC

#16 Georgia Tech

#19 Virginia Tech

#20 Florida State

#25 Boston College

#30 North Carolina

#33 Clemson

#34 Wake Forest

#36 Miami

 

 

The Massey College index is a composite or average of all football polls and will differ in varying degrees with say ESPN or the AP. 

 

 

 

You have according to Massey, two SEC teams in the top 20 Alabama and Florida. That is basically all they had going for it. In the ACC you have Florida State, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Boston College. Right now it appears one of the SEC teams has a shot at the national championship. This is the BCS poll also the one that counts. Please spare us the tough SEC nonsense. 

 

 

 

FSU finished with the #1 scoring offense in the ACC. It was number #2 behind Georgia Tech in total offense and rushing offense. Georgia Tech however runs almost every down and I don't think FSU fans could adjust to that. 

 

 

Florida State finished with the #14 defense in the country five slots behind the gator defense we hear so much about allowing 291.75 yards per game. The game against UF was disappointing but looking back the 15 points scored were better than any other SEC teams with the exception of Alabama who scored 20 and LSU who scored 21. It can also be said that Miami another ACC team held UF to 26 points and that is with a style point field goal by Meyer with three seconds left. 

 

 

You could probably have a parrot watch ESPN long enough he might be able to say the SEC is great aren't those defenses something. This constant droning by SEC fans about their tough leagues is making them appear disconnected from reality. The SEC has become a pillow fight in reality. 

Mike Bianchi: Meyer's Irish aspirations slight to UF

College football fans we now have it straight from the megahomer's mouth, the lizards have been disrespected by Meyer. Yes that is right, gator homer Mike Bianchi is not happy that Meyer is going to be hearing the echoes!

You don't dream about coaching somewhere else when you are the coach of hogtown university, at least that is the way Bianchi sees it. You see in the eyes of these lizards they are the greatest football team America has ever known or ever will know. Never mind the fact it took them 70 years to win a conference title. 

They are number 55 academically, why, because U. S. News and World Report says they are buster. They will let you know incessantly that U. S. News and World Report is the final arbiter in such matters. You will forget this fact at your own peril!

Yes they will point out their athletic budget is bigger than the GNP of Lichenstein and Urban (named after a Pope) instructed them to spend 30 million greenback dollars to renovate the football offices. 

Homer Bianchi feels like he has been slapped in the face, gilted by the prom queen! Honestly if you read his propaganda pieces long enough you will also come to the conclusion he proabably needs to be slapped in the face. 

Yes sports fans we keep an eye on our gators, these boys demand loyalty, Spurrier kind of loyalty. They want to be loved and they want their coach to love them as they love him. They do not cotton to unrequited love. 

This is a warning to lizard nation from the greatest homer of them all Mike Bianchi that lizard nation should prepare to end up singing "we are the boys from old Florida" while Urban is "shaking down the thunder and cheer; cheering for old Notre Dame."

Prepare well Sooners, a gilted gator is an angry gator!

In other news the state of Florida's gator press has just come out with a basketball article titled "Seminoles finally rout opponent." You would never know reading this the Florida State basketball team is now 13-1 and fresh off a victory over Gainesville college, a team they have beaten four out of the last five outings.

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-colbianchi19121908dec19,0,5032443.column

Anyone want to talk about Lester Miles? He is somewhat of a pet project of mine mainly because I think he is a clown. Quite frankly he had never accomplished much of anything before he stumbled into the Saban Fisher nest egg. Yes he beat Oklahoma a couple of times when he was at OSU but let's be fair, do you think it was him or Jeff Gundy? Jeff seems to be doing fine these days at OSU without Lester and the brutal truth is Jeff can't stand the guy. When Lester left OSU Gundy state that he planned to hire an offensive coordinator and let him call the plays as he never wanted anyone to go through what he went through. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Prior to becoming head coach at OSU Lester was the offensive coordinator there and managed to lose 18 games in three years. Why he was brought back in is still a mystery maybe other than the fact Gundy his offensive coordinator was too young for the job. When Lester was brought in at LSU, Jimbo Fisher was the offensive coordinator and many wished Fisher had been given the job so there was naturally there was some arms distance between him and Fisher. It seemed to expand as Lester was more of a Michigan cloud of dust guy and Fisher had some wide open ideas about the passing game. I have heard LSU fans rant on for a long time how Fisher cost them a 3 point loss to Auburn and the 27-10 loss to UF. I have also heard that it was Lester who continually called the running plays but left Fisher out to dry with the criticism. Can anyone look at Fisher since he has been at FSU and call him conservative? We lost the Wake game going down field for the bomb and having interceptions take place. Many of these gurus have informed me that FSU will be destroyed under Fisher and they will rise further to greatness with Lester Miles as the coach. That was then this now. All I can say is have a big bowl of SEC homer stew. Where is FSU ranked and where is LSU? I saw a discussion on a football board indicating that once at practice Fisher came back from a job interview and setup the running backs for drills. Lester changed the protocol and told Fisher I need somebody with brains, somebody whose loyalty has never wavered, and you, unfortunately, fulfill neither requirement. During an interview last year Fisher was asked about both Lester and Saban. He responded that it would be hard to find anyone with more knowledge about football than Nick Saban. When asked about Lester he simply said basically he is a nice guy. I have had discussions on and off with LSU fans concerning this ever since Fisher was hired. I have tried to highlight that Gary Crowton has always started fast at most of his destinations, Utah and Oregon and finished with fans chasing him with torches like what you see in a Frankenstein movie. They sound pretty restless in Baton Rouge right now. They have a quarterback in Lee who could use a bit of development but guess what the guy know for quarterback development now resides in Tallahassee. It wasn't long after Crowton arrived either when sports announcers mentioned on the air that Lester was already changing some of his play calls. Let's face it Lester goes through offensive coordinators like hot butter. He does not take a job with an entourage of loyal assistants. He hires from outside and the LSU checkbook has come in handy so far. Remember Searels the oline coach left for UGA upon his arrival, Pellinni became head coach at Nebraska and Fisher bolted to FSU as HCIW. Now some of these coaches took lateral moves. Was it because they thought LSU would falter because of Lester? Maybe they just didn't like the guy, who knows? Personally I think the LSU football program has entered another Mike Archer, Gerry DiNardo type moment. They seem to epitomize the old classic that those who do not heed history are doomed to repeat it. Lester was not offered the job at Michigan like some LSU fans like to believe. While everyone was expecting to hear that Lester had bolted to Michigan, his agent George Bass, had heard from nobody at Michigan. Bill Martin had received permission to talk to Miles but never called. Miles finally accepted a large contract with LSU with his agent explaining the deal was so good they could not wait. He left another call to Michigan's athletic director Bill Martin but never received an answer and never knew if Lester was a candidate or not. My personal feeling is that LSU was stampeded into a monumental mistake, one they are so known for. Jimbo Fisher was slated to be head coach at Troy but the bama guys squelched it and I believe the thought that Troy just might end up with a coach equal in ability to Nick Saban was too much for them. They also wanted Fisher as Saban's offensive coordinator. He turned down the head coaching job at WVU also in his home state. So why do I mention all of this? after a year and a half of listening to LSU and some FSU fans complain and question Fisher's mettle I think sometimes I may wretch on my own keyboard. I like and admire Jimbo Fisher and I am ecstatic he is the new HCIW at FSU. I will leave you with a quote from T. K. Wetherell: Jimbo Fisher is going to be the next head coach at Florida State University and he is going to be very successful. He belongs at FSU not West Virginia. In his heart he is a Seminole.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20081128/SPORTS/811280341/1002 There is one catalyst which could help Meyer with his decision, the Florida State Seminoles breaking through the glass wall and demonstrating on the field they are ready for some FSU vs UF classic battles once again. One cannot rule out the possibility that could happen tomorrow. The oddsmakers rate UF a 17 point favorite. The Seminoles have been making steady improvement and if the Noles prove the oddsmakers wrong and even make this a tight game it will rule out UF playing for the national championship. It will establish highly regarded offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher as a force to be reckoned with in the future. It will also make Herban wonder more intensely about his "first love" Notre Dame. Tomorrow is a big game in more ways than one. UF would be setup for a showdown with Alabama for the SEC championship coming off a victory over Florida State and in prime position for a national championship shot should they defeat Alabama. The Seminoles would be 9-3 and waiting for a Maryland win to propel them into the ACC playoff game and the chance for another 10 win season and possibly an 11 win season with a bowl victory. It would silence all naysayers concerning FSU's return to national prominence. It would give the lie to the corporate talkiing heads who constantly force feed the SEC myth to a national audience. Everette Brown is 3.5 sacks away from the Florida State sack record. Tim Tebow stands in his way. He has the opportunity to join FSU garnet and gold Titans such as Wadsworth, Wilson and Boulware. It would seem he will be extremely motivated for this game. It is a big game tomorrow in more ways than one. It is a turning point for both teams. If FSU gets a few fortunate bounces of the ball and makes their own breaks, you never know. There is another twist that might be worth mentioning. Herban Meyer's daughter will be leaving home to attend Georgia Tech. I find it a bit unusual she would not simply attend the school out East. Could it be that she might not be a popular student if Herban suddenly decided to pack his bags for the golden dome leaving her alone and suddenly surrounded by UF fans?