FWIW
FSU-
OL-offensively the strength of the 'noles is the offensive line, the center has made a record amount of consecutive snaps. At guard you have a consenus all american and future 1-2 round NFL pick in Rodney Hudson. Left tackle is a concern with Andrew Datko, who has been injured all season long and will need surgery at the completion of the season. The line while not the biggest is great at providing leverage and opening running lanes. Grade A-
WR- This is the weakness of the seminoles, The starters are Easterling and Reed, both decent route runners but have a tendency to drop passes in crucial moments. Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith will see playing time and both are RS freshman, which are going to be in the future but still need improvement. At TE the noles will be without its starter due to academic reasons, this is not expected to be a large impact on the passing game. Grade C+
RB- The Noles are led on the ground by a trio of back, Chris Thompson is the speedy back, Ty Jones the Home run threat, and Jermaine Thomas your consistent 4ypc back, he is coming off an injury. The noles also have a great full back in Lonnie Pryor who is great at blocking and catching out of the backfield. Grade B+
QB from all the reports I've heard Christian Ponder will be the starter, he has been injured all season and had to sit the ACC championship game due to an elbow injury. Furthermore he was unable to practice till this week. When Ponder is in the game expect alot of intermediate throws, and many check downs, I believe he throws a really ugly deep ball. Also he loves to scramble on third downs, A great decision maker. Grade B
Based on statistics
7th best overall in FEI
35th IN SCORING 38.1 Per game
42nd in Rushing
63rdPassing
20th in Red Zone conversions
13th in 3rd down conversions
What this means, if FSU gets the ball first expect them to score as they have scored in their first drive in most games. Expect them to throw the ball short to try and set up the run. Dont expect to many long balls. Expect Ponder to use his legs often to try and extend plays. Expect alot of Points from this offense, when clicking this offense can score with anyone, especially if the receivers catch the ball.
Coming into this season the Defense was the biggest enigma for this team, if any of you guys remember last years team, that defense was atrocious. After Bowden was fired it was discovered that the defense was playing with a playbook and were being instructed to just go out there and make a play, not actually being taught technique or principles.
DL- The defensive line has been a great surprise this year, currently the Noles are second in NCAA in sacks. Thanks to great years by senior Markus White and Sophomore Brandon Jenkins(2nd in Acc in sacks). The interior sees alot of rotation but the main plug is Jacobbi Mcdaniel. This great is decent against the run but best against the pass, its still a small line based on wieght and thus sometimes will go long streaks without getting any pressure. Grade B
LB- The linebackers should be the strength of the defense, since it features 3- 4 star recruits but they havent played like elite talent. Kendall Smith is the MLB and the leader, Mister Alexander is your big hit guy and Nigel Bradham is a good speed guy. They have flashes of being great but can sometimes be out of position, they are better at run defense than pass coverage. You will see true freshman Christian Green in at times, mostly to blitzz the QB.
Grade B+
Secondary- Here's where the defense gets suspect. Xavier Rhodes is a great CB which should be drafted early whenever he goes to the draft, great size and speed. Greg Reid is a speedster who tries to hard to make the big plays and will get burnt easily, also a bad tackler. You will also see Mike Harris who has great potential and great play ability. The biggest liabilty is at safety. Terrance Parks often has the ability to blow coverages and leave zones wide open. While Nick Moody does a great job at being the head hunter at the other safeTy spot. Grade B-
Defensive Rankings
22nd in scoring
48th overall
26th Rushing
63rd in passing
2nd in sacks
9th in tackles for a loss
12th in pass break ups
What to expect
South Carolina proves to be a tough matchup for the Noles young defense, USCe comes in with a great back in Lattimore who is a great rusher and can consistently pick up yards and catch out of the back field. Furthermore in the passing game, USC plays with very tall wide receivers while FSU generally has short CBs outside of Xavier Rhodes. I fully expect USCe to exploit the advantages it has in the passing game, and launch a few deep balls. FSU must contain Lattimore because if not USC will be able to pass since FSU will stack the box.
I fully expect USC to score at least 21 points
My game Predictions
USC 35 FSU 31
So guys bet the over...
Furthermore I forgot to add FSU has a strong special teams, especially the kicker Dustin hopkins which is one of the leaders in touch back which makes a huge difference in field possession. Also a very good punter and a great return man in Reid. If fsu wins the field possession game I fully expect FSU to win.
FSU-
OL-offensively the strength of the 'noles is the offensive line, the center has made a record amount of consecutive snaps. At guard you have a consenus all american and future 1-2 round NFL pick in Rodney Hudson. Left tackle is a concern with Andrew Datko, who has been injured all season long and will need surgery at the completion of the season. The line while not the biggest is great at providing leverage and opening running lanes. Grade A-
WR- This is the weakness of the seminoles, The starters are Easterling and Reed, both decent route runners but have a tendency to drop passes in crucial moments. Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith will see playing time and both are RS freshman, which are going to be in the future but still need improvement. At TE the noles will be without its starter due to academic reasons, this is not expected to be a large impact on the passing game. Grade C+
RB- The Noles are led on the ground by a trio of back, Chris Thompson is the speedy back, Ty Jones the Home run threat, and Jermaine Thomas your consistent 4ypc back, he is coming off an injury. The noles also have a great full back in Lonnie Pryor who is great at blocking and catching out of the backfield. Grade B+
QB from all the reports I've heard Christian Ponder will be the starter, he has been injured all season and had to sit the ACC championship game due to an elbow injury. Furthermore he was unable to practice till this week. When Ponder is in the game expect alot of intermediate throws, and many check downs, I believe he throws a really ugly deep ball. Also he loves to scramble on third downs, A great decision maker. Grade B
Based on statistics
7th best overall in FEI
35th IN SCORING 38.1 Per game
42nd in Rushing
63rdPassing
20th in Red Zone conversions
13th in 3rd down conversions
What this means, if FSU gets the ball first expect them to score as they have scored in their first drive in most games. Expect them to throw the ball short to try and set up the run. Dont expect to many long balls. Expect Ponder to use his legs often to try and extend plays. Expect alot of Points from this offense, when clicking this offense can score with anyone, especially if the receivers catch the ball.
Coming into this season the Defense was the biggest enigma for this team, if any of you guys remember last years team, that defense was atrocious. After Bowden was fired it was discovered that the defense was playing with a playbook and were being instructed to just go out there and make a play, not actually being taught technique or principles.
DL- The defensive line has been a great surprise this year, currently the Noles are second in NCAA in sacks. Thanks to great years by senior Markus White and Sophomore Brandon Jenkins(2nd in Acc in sacks). The interior sees alot of rotation but the main plug is Jacobbi Mcdaniel. This great is decent against the run but best against the pass, its still a small line based on wieght and thus sometimes will go long streaks without getting any pressure. Grade B
LB- The linebackers should be the strength of the defense, since it features 3- 4 star recruits but they havent played like elite talent. Kendall Smith is the MLB and the leader, Mister Alexander is your big hit guy and Nigel Bradham is a good speed guy. They have flashes of being great but can sometimes be out of position, they are better at run defense than pass coverage. You will see true freshman Christian Green in at times, mostly to blitzz the QB.
Grade B+
Secondary- Here's where the defense gets suspect. Xavier Rhodes is a great CB which should be drafted early whenever he goes to the draft, great size and speed. Greg Reid is a speedster who tries to hard to make the big plays and will get burnt easily, also a bad tackler. You will also see Mike Harris who has great potential and great play ability. The biggest liabilty is at safety. Terrance Parks often has the ability to blow coverages and leave zones wide open. While Nick Moody does a great job at being the head hunter at the other safeTy spot. Grade B-
Defensive Rankings
22nd in scoring
48th overall
26th Rushing
63rd in passing
2nd in sacks
9th in tackles for a loss
12th in pass break ups
What to expect
South Carolina proves to be a tough matchup for the Noles young defense, USCe comes in with a great back in Lattimore who is a great rusher and can consistently pick up yards and catch out of the back field. Furthermore in the passing game, USC plays with very tall wide receivers while FSU generally has short CBs outside of Xavier Rhodes. I fully expect USCe to exploit the advantages it has in the passing game, and launch a few deep balls. FSU must contain Lattimore because if not USC will be able to pass since FSU will stack the box.
I fully expect USC to score at least 21 points
My game Predictions
USC 35 FSU 31
So guys bet the over...
Furthermore I forgot to add FSU has a strong special teams, especially the kicker Dustin hopkins which is one of the leaders in touch back which makes a huge difference in field possession. Also a very good punter and a great return man in Reid. If fsu wins the field possession game I fully expect FSU to win.
