With football getting ready to take on Wisconsin in  the Champs Sports Bowl and basketball gearing up to host Tennessee Tech tomorrow night (look for TrueCubbie's game preview either later today or tomorrow), there isn't a whole lot to cover involving FSU sports.  Instead, we'll look at a story that didn't recieve very much attention when it broke this past Wednesday, but could have a big impact later on.  It involves the potential demise of the BCS. 

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Rankings

Baseball America's top 10 prospects for he Rays organization came out Wednesday.  No shocker here, David Price is number one.  They also have some other cool information like the prospect with the best specific tools (i.e. best hitter for average, best athlete, etc.) and the prjected lineup for 2012 (I don't think CC will still be in left for us then).  Hopefully some of the guys on the list will be traded cause they don't seem to have very high value for us compared to other teams.  Anyways, this is just some more interesting stuff to get us through to next season.

As the number 1 high school football prospect in the nation according to ESPN and the number 12 overall prospect according to Rivals.com, Myron Rolle came to Florida State with tons of hype and high expectations from the fan base.  Since his arrival, many fans have been disappointed with his production, and other fan bases (as well as some FSU fans) have claimed that he is overrated.  What's been the real reason for why Rolle has failed to meet the expectations of many?

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Recap of what other bloggers are saying after the big win this weekend.  Look for our analysis later this week.

We'll start of this week at ChantRant! where they have a nice piece on the ugly win.  They take it lightly on the ugly aspects of the game by only mentioning the penalties, special teams, and Jabaris Little's drop.  They could have mentioned some of the others, like the interceptions and blown coverage on Miami's gimmick plays, but its tough to play perfect and we still picked up the win.

More links after the jump.

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We'll take a look at what others are saying after our game against Colorado and the upcoming game against Miami.

Andrew Carter provides letter grades for each unit in his report card.  I can't say I really disagree with much here.  He also has a nice short Q&A about the game where he covers topics like the lack of impact from Corey Surrency the last 2 games and Myron Rolle's coverage skills (we should have an article during the Noles next off week that covers this topic as well).  He also has a list of 5 things that have gone right so far this season.  The only major disagreement I have is that the jury is still out on the offensive line.  Yes, they had a better game against Colorado than against Wake Forest, but Colorado was also a weaker opponent than Wake so it is hard to tell just how much they have improved.  As usual, Andrew does a great job with his coverage of the Noles.

More links after the jump.

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We'll provide a breakdown of how the teams' different units will match up with each other in the game on Saturday.

Florida State Offense vs. Wake Forest Defense

FSU Offensive Line vs. Wake Forest's Defensive Line

For any offense or defense to have success, it all starts up front.  This should be a good match up throughout the whole game with neither unit being dominant.  Last week against Chattanooga, both QB's were under more pressure than they should have been considering the opponent.  However, Wake Forest has also shown an inability to get much of a pass rush.  Look for Wake to start using multiple blitzes to get pressure on Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson (expect D'vo to play some with specific packages designed for him), especially if they have success in the passing game early.  In the running game, Wake's defensive line should be able to consistently clog up the middle with DT Boo Robinson.  With that in mind, there will probably be many running plays for FSU off the edge to try to get the backs into space.  There will definitely be times where Wake Forest gets the better of the play, but Florida State's offensive line will give the rest of the offense opportunities to make plays. EDGE: FSU

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This are just some things I noticed  from watching the game at the Doak.  We will watch the game later and provide further analysis, but these are the things that jumped out.

First thing, the WR's dropped too many passes.  Bert Reed dropped a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a corner route on a well thrown ball from D'Vontrey Richardson.  Rod Owens also dropped one in the second quarter right off the line from Christian Ponder.

The offensive line played well at some points and struggled during others.  The quarterbacks were under pressure way too often for facing such an inferior opponent.  This type of inconsistency wil be a huge problem as we play better teams starting next week with Wake Forest. 

One play that I really liked was the second touchdown of the game.  It was a great wrinkle of the offense where Corey Surrency came off the line acting like he was going to block but instead took off down the field.  The rest of the team also sold the bubble screen to the slot receiver, and Ponder pump faked to the slot receiver.  Both DB's jumped the route and Surrency was wide open for a long TD.  It was a great play design, I just only wish we would have saved it for a more meaningful game.

On the other side of the ball, the defense put way more pressure on the opposing quarterback than they did last week.  Even though the pressure was improved, it still could be better.  Part of the problem is the weakness and lack of depth at the DT spots.  Hopefully, they can continue to improve against Wake Forest and then will get an added boost when players come back from suspension for the Colorado game.

Other problems again this week were dropping too many interceptions and not forcing enough turnovers.  Myron Rolle dropped a pick in the first half after it was tipped at the line by Moses McCray.  One forced turnover will not cut it on a weekly basis against stronger teams.  The one turnover was from a great hit from Kenny Ingram where he forced and recovered the fumble.

Tony Carter also made two bad plays.  The first came on Chattanooga's only TD.  It was a good route and throw.  Carter was beat which happens and is understandable.  With our defensive scheme, we play too much man coverage for our DB's to not get beat at times.  The WR's in college football now are too fast, too big, and/or too strong to play man coverage and not expect to get beat at least occasionally.  The problem with this particular play was that Carter misplayed the ball when he was beat, which allowed the receiver to make the catch and then take it in for the score.  The better play would have been for him to accept that he was beat and just try to make the tackle after the catch.  The second bad play he made was just a terrible decision.  He should never have tried to field a punt by diving.  FSU was fortunate to recover the ball, but this could have been very costly against a good team.

The injury to Graham Gano could be very, very costly, like maybe 2 losses.  The kickoffs have not been nearly as long as Gano's usually are, which will really hurt in close games where field position is important.  The punting also has not been as good, and of course, now we can not make a field goal.  It is possible that Gano would not do all three, but he would definitely be a better option at all three.  I would expect that he would at least handle the field goals and kick offs.

As mentioned before, these were just a few things that were immediately noticed and we will provide further analysis later.

FSUncensored's take on Noleblogger's take.

The wide receivers definitely dropped too many passes.  I didn't see this in the first game and I am going to attribute this to a lack of focus, probably caused by the antiicpation of the Wake gane.  The ball from D'Vo to Reed was insanely well thrown. 

I was very disappointed in our pass blocking.  If this keeps up, we will definitely be throwing more short stuff.  Expect us to run Ponder and D'Vo A LOT against Wake.  Greenlee is a nice story coming back from his neck injury, but he played like garbage today.  That needs to be fixed immediately.  If he is our best option, look out.

We previewed the "fake weakside toss, bubble pump, deep bomb" last week.  We saw it this week.  I agree with Noleblogger that he should have saved this play, but now Wake is in a bit of a bind.

I really liked how we got away from the bubble screen today and managed to work on other stuff.

On the other side of the ball, the defense put way more pressure on the opposing quarterback than they did last week.  Even though the pressure was improved, it still could be better.  Part of the problem is the weakness and lack of depth at the DT spots.  Hopefully, they can continue to improve against Wake Forest and then will get an added boost when players come back from suspension for the Colorado game._Nolesblogger

Agreed, but I would like to add something.  Moses McCray played an amazing game today.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, McCray is a state championship caliber wrestler, who is 6'3 285ish, at DT (Freshman).  Also, today we learned that Budd Thacker will be back for the wake game.  This is a huge upgrade for the 'Noles, and should put our DT depth issues to rest.

I am going to explode if I talk about our garbage secondary or special teams decisions.  They were very bad.

FSU's Baseball schedule for 2009 was released today.  We'll have a preview as the season gets closer but here it is for those that are interested.  ACC games are in bold.

FLORIDA STATE BASEBALL
2009 SCHEDULE

Day    Date Opponent Location Time
FRI FEB 20 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 4:00
SAT FEB 21 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY (DH) TALLAHASSEE 1:00
SUN FEB 22 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE TBA
THUR FEB 26 AUBURN UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI FEB 27 AUBURN UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 4:00
SAT FEB 28 AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN, AL 3:00 CST
SUN MAR 1 AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN, AL 1:00 CST
TUE MAR 3 JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY JACKSONVILLE 6:00
WED MAR 4 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI MAR 6 BOSTON COLLEGE TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT MAR 7 BOSTON COLLEGE TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SUN MAR 8 BOSTON COLLEGE TALLAHASSEE 1:00
TUE MAR 10 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
WED MAR 11 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI MAR 13 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
SAT MAR 14 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
SUN MAR 15 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
TUE MAR 17 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE, FL 6:30
FRI MAR 20 CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT MAR 21 CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SUN MAR 22 CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 1:00
TUE MAR 24 FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
WED MAR 25 FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI MAR 27 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK, MD
SAT MAR 28 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK, MD
SUN MAR 29 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK, MD
TUE MAR 31 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GROUNDS OF JACKSONVILLE
FRI APR 3 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MIAMI
SAT APR 4 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MIAMI
SUN APR 5 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MIAMI
WED APR 8 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA GROUNDS OF JACKSONVILLE 7:00
FRI APR 10 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT APR 11 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SUN APR 12 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TALLAHASSEE 1:00
TUE APR 14 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE 6:00
WED APR 15 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI APR 17 NC STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH, NC
SAT APR 18 NC STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH. NC
SUN APR 19 NC STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH, NC
TUE APR 21 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CARLOLINA - ASHEVILLE TALLAHASSEE 6:00
WED APR 22 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CARLOLINA - ASHEVILLE TALLAHASSEE 4:00
FRI APR 24 WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT APR 25 WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SUN APR 26 WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 1:00
FRI MAY 1 VIRGINIA TECH TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT MAY 2 VIRGINIA TECH TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SUN MAY 3 VIRGINIA TECH TALLAHASSEE 1:00
TUE MAY 5 JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
WED MAY 6 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI MAY 8 GEORGIA TECH ATLANTA, GA
SAT MAY 9 GEORGIA TECH ATLANTA, GA
SUN MAY 10 GEORGIA TECH ATLANTA, GA
THUR MAY 14 GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
FRI MAY 15 GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 6:00
SAT MAY 16 GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY TALLAHASSEE 2:00
WED-SUN MAY 20-24 ACC TOURNAMENT DURHAM, NC
FRI-SUN MAY 29-31 NCAA REGIONAL TBA
FRI-SUN JUNE 5-7 NCAA SUPER-REGIONAL TBA
SAT-WED JUNE 13-23/24 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES OMAHA, NEB