Know Your Enemy: Florida State

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                 Canes Rising Contributor



Name: Florida State University
Mascot: Seminoles
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Home Stadium: Doak Campbell Stadium(Capacity: 82,300)
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference(ACC)
Athletic Director: Stan Wilcox
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher


Time Capsule


It's tough to win a national championship, it's even harder to repeat as FSU has found out.  The Seminoles are undefeated in their drive to repeat, but it hasn't been easy.  They've been behind by double digits to both North Carolina State, and Louisville, and have relied on huge scoring runs to eke out narrow victories.  It's obvious that this team isn't nearly as good as last year's version, which was arguably the best in school history.

What To Expect

Offense

Jameis Winston isn't someone you'd want your daughter to date, or be the face of your University, but he's the best quarterback in the country.  Despite the off-field distractions, Winston has been very good this season.   Jameis can make every throw required, and he is a willing runner.  The difference between this season, and last season is the fact that Winston isn't as efficient, with 11 interceptions so far this season. Winston's 2014 stats aren't as impressive as his 2013 numbers, but those numbers were legendary, and Heisman worthy.  Regardless of what's on the stat sheet, Winston is a threat, he can beat a team in a variety of ways, including on the ground.  Teams that have succeeded against FSU has kept Winston guessing with a variety of fronts and coverages, and forced him to make multiple reads at the line of scrimmage.  Even if that's accomplished, success is far from a guarantee, as Jameis has been able to create big plays, using his uncommon athleticism.   Winston will look to pass often, as the 'Noles have been awful in the run game, ranking 102nd in rushing yards per game.  Karlos Williams is the leading rusher, but look for freshman Dalvin Cook to see significant playing time, if healthy.  Cook is a big play threat, who has breakaway speed. With the running game struggling, the wide receivers and tight ends have been expected  to provide a majority of the big plays.  It's been a mixed bag so far, as only Rashad Greene has been a consistent threat.  Greene, the lone returning starter from last season's receiver corps, has been outstanding, gaining 989 yards, on 71 receptions.  He isn't the only major threat, as tight end Nick O'Leary has finally emerged, averaging 11 yards per reception.  O'Leary is at his best on 3rd down, acting as a security blanket for Jameis Winston.  Jesus Wilson has been a nice surprise, as he's caught 33 passes.  Wilson is a small, quick receiver that does most of his damage out in space, and in between the hash marks.

Rimington Award winner Brian Stork is now playing in the NFL, and it's obvious that his skill, and leadership are sorely missed on the offensive line.  The 'Noles have been unable to consistently run the football, and they've been unable to keep Jamais Winston from being pressured.  Last season, Winston was rarely challenged in the passing pocket, this season, he's been forced out on numerous occasions.  That said, this offensive line has been shuffled all season, and may be finding their niche, as evidenced by their fine performance against Louisville. Louisville has one of the best defensive lines in the country, and FSU manhandled them.


Defense

Last season, the 'Noles were a tough, fast defense that could shut down any offense.  That's no longer the case, as the defense has regressed, and has looked average at times this season.  FSU lost a ton of defensive talent to graduation and the NFL, but the biggest difference may be in the coaching booth, as Charles Kelly has taken over for Jeremy Pruitt, who is now the defensive coordinator at Georgia.  Kelly isn't as experienced as Pruitt, and he isn't nearly the tactician, which has shown on the field.  Last year, the Noles were 1st in the country in scoring defense, 3rd in total defense, and led the nation in interceptions.  This season, the 'Noles are 34th in scoring defense, and haven't been able to create as many turnovers as in previous seasons.

The defensive line features Mario Edward Jr., the team leader in tackles for loss.  Edwards, a highly rated recruit, hasn't been able to consistently provide a pass rush, a common problem amongst the defensive front. Eddie Goldman leads the team in sacks, but has been inconsistent. At his best, Goldman is a next level defensive tackle that can create havoc in the interior.   The uneven play of the D-Line has put additional pressure on the linebacker corps, a unit that has struggled as well.  Reggie Northrup is a terror, and is leading the team in tackles.  He has been active all season, but he has shown a tendency to struggle in pass coverage.  Terrance Smith has emerged as a solid player, making 66 tackles so far this season, and forcing 2 fumbles.  Where the 'Noles have truly struggled is in the secondary.  Despite having a fair number of 4 and 5 star recruits, FSU has been unable to stop the pass.  Notre Dame had a field day with the 'Noles, with Everett Golson throwing for over 300 yards. Some of the blame should fall on the defensive line, but most of it should remain with the secondary.  During the Notre Dame game, receivers were running their routes unimpeded, with blown coverages a frequent occurrence.  Jalen Ramsey is one of the most versatile players in the country, as he's been a cornerback, and a safety for the FSU during his career.  He weill start the game as a safety, but look for him to be moved all around the defensive backfield.  P.J Williams and Ronald Darby will be the main guys on the perimeter, with Darby being the guy tasked with covering the opposition's best receiver.

Special Teams

It's a known fact that Florida State has struggled in the kicking game over the last 25 years.  From Gerry Thomas, to Matt Munyon, the 'Noles have lost a fair number of big games due to errors in the kicking game.  That is no longer the case as Roberto Aguayo is one of the best placekickers in the country.  Aguayo is not only accurate, connecting on 94% of his field goal attempts this season, he's also the possessor of a strong leg, as evidenced by a made 52 yard attempt against Wake Forest.  Roberto is also a weapon on kickoffs as 50% of his kickoffs have been touchbacks.  Cason Beatty is a decent punter averaging over 40 yards per punt.

#FSUHate Week

Don't worry Dan, we will show plenty of 'Nole failure this week!(Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

If you're a 'Cane, there's nothing that can top #FSUHate week.  When FSU comes to town, it's more than a mere college football game, it's personal.  Canes Rising will make sure you're prepared for Saturday's game, and we'll take a look back at previous FSU failures, and epic Miami victories!

Coming tomorrow....

By Jorge Bannister
Canes Rising Staff

Full recap of UM-FSU.

And I do mean FULL recap.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Why do the Noles Chronically Underachieve?

Canes Rising: I believe Florida State is the most talented team in the ACC. I believe Florida State should compete for the ACC title every year. Yet the Noles are 7-12 in their last nineteen ACC Regular Season games? How is this explained?


Rich at Chant Rant: Well, 7-12 is accurate. But If you include all of FSU's last 19 ACC games -- not just regular season -- you'll see the Noles won the ACC in 2006. During that period they also beat the #2 team in the nation (Boston College in '07), and a UCLA team that had just embarrassed #1 USC.

Yet the fact is Florida State just isn't the same team that dominated the ACC for more than a decade. Why?

First, the loss of key assistants like Mark Richt. His replacement, the son of a certain coach, and supporting cast of coaches just didn't have the same magic touch -- both on the field and on the recruiting trail. The talent margin between the Noles and the rest of the conference shurnk. Meanwhile, teams like Clemson closed that gap, and the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech ensured that it would be difficult for any team to dominate.

Today, the House that Bowden built is in the process of being renovated from the foundation up. How far has FSU come to being a weekly Top 25 team and annual ACC title contender again? Ask me Saturday evening after the final gun at Dolphin Stadium.

Do ACC Officials Favor FSU over Miami? A Historical Look

Let me start this post by stating something I have regularly made clear: I have the greatest respect for the FSU program, coaches and players. Florida State unlike the other "big three" program has built its program and tradition the right way and has always been a classy program: a program that didn't drop Miami from the schedule in order to win more titles as the schools in Gainesville and South Bend did. Moreover, Bobby Bowden unlike Lou Holtz, Urban Meyer and others has been in his own way an admirer of Miami's success.

But something continues to bother me every time Miami plays FSU and ACC officials referee the game. It started in the 1992 matchup between the teams where Corey Sawyer and Tamarick Vannover both returned kicks that set up scores. In both cases obvious block in back were missed on the plays. In addition, a clear Miami touchdown according to the rule book was ruled a safety giving Dan Mowery the chance to tie the game late: His FG as we know went wide right but it was a shocking officiating error that even made Wide Right II possible.

In the 1994 game under the lights at the Orange Bowl several minor calls seemed to go against Miami and in favor of FSU. But after Ryan Collins bootleg scramble right before halftime, that game was never in doubt.

Fast forward to 2000. Miami opens up a 17-0 lead in the first half. Chris Weinke has a remarkable second half to bring FSU back into the game, in fact into a late lead. But in that matchup several strange calls occurred: most notable a pass interference penalty on Leonard Myers when he was actually shoved by Atrews Bell on a 3rd down. This led to FSU's TD that cut the lead to 24-20. Now had that call not been made, it is possible that Jeremy Shockey's legend would never have been born some minutes later, because Miami would have already locked up the game.

In 2002, Kyle Cobia was called for a phantom chop block on a huge play downfield to Roscoe Parrish. Miami would have been in position to take a 21-20 lead had the play stood but instead punted to FSU who went down the field and pushed their lead to 27-14. Of course Miami came back and then Xavier Betia missed a potential game winning FG wide left, but as was the case in 1992 and 2000 FSU's missed FGs which win them so much sympathy may never have been an issue if the right calls had been made earlier in the game.

In 2005, Florida State completed a goal line stand after Miami went 96 yards to get to the FSU 2 yard line. Brian Monroe as we know dropped the snap and Jon Peattie, who had beaten FSU with a 52 yard FG in the 2004 Orange Bowl wasn't give the opportunity to tie the game on a short FG. But right after the play Ernie Sims who at the time was facing criminal charges and should not have been playing threw his helmet into the air: by rule that's a 15 yard personal foul penalty: even if it is post possession, the half the distance to the goal line penalty given the time left on the clock may have resulted in Miami getting the ball back with about :30-:35 seconds left.

Greg Carr: Jump Ball Specialist turned Complete Player?

For the remainder of this week we'll be having a question of the day with Rich from the outstanding FSU Athletics commentary website, Chant Rant. Here are his thoughts on Greg Carr, who since his freshman year has been a key offensive weapon for the Seminoles. I encourage all Canes fans to check out Chant Rant regularly for the best commentary on the Noles around. During Basketball season, the one and only Bill from Tampa gives commentary second to none on Leonard Hamilton's Noles as well.


Canes Rising: Greg Carr has shed his reputation as simply a jump ball specialist. However it seemed like the jump balls Jeff Bowden designed for him were effective. Why is Jimbo Fisher so reluctant to call those plays near the goal line when Florida State has probably set a school record for FGs inside of 30 yards the last season and a half?

Rich at Chant Rant: Beats me. Many fans and media have the same question. Obviously it's part of the evolution of Carr into a more versatile receiver -- a work in progress that's paid some dividends. Carr has caught passes in various patterns this year, and missed a couple, too. All I can think of is that Jimbo wants to put his own signature on the offense, and not score using Jeff Bowden's bread 'n butter play. Hard to believe it would be that silly, and that he might be so stubborn, but it's the only thing that makes a little sense here.

2000 Miami-FSU on Sun Sports

Relive all the magic of Jeremy Shockey's last minute TD to give Miami it's first win over Florida State since 1994. This was not a defensive battle by any stretch of the imagination as Chris Weinke threw for 496 yards and both teams combined for over 1,000 yards. Miami's 27-24 win was one for the ages. Here is the schedule on Sun Sports.

Saturday, August 23:

2:30pm et on Sun Sports

Monday, August 25:

8pm et on Sun Sports

Wednesday, August 27:

11:30am et on Sun Sports

Tight End U Returns: The U is about Smashmouth Football

Saturday's victory over Florida State was significant in many ways for a reeling Miami football program. Perhaps the two most notable things were a definite message by Offensive Coordinator Patrick Nix: He wants to run the ball down the opponents throats and he wants to get the Tight Ends involved in Miami's passing game much like past Miami teams were able to do.

The early somewhat surprising decision by Greg Olsen to seek an NFL career left Miami with three inexperienced Tight Ends all of whom had little experience to fall back on. That was obvious early in the season as Miami failed to utilize the Tight End and Miami's Wide Recievers continued their recent subpar play.

But when the chips were down yesterday and Miami needed to win a huge rivalry game, the Canes returned to the well which has yielded so much positive "holy" water in the past. The Tight End. Near the goal line early in the game Richard Gordon got open and was held by an FSU defender. The ACC crew led by Ron Cherry failed to throw a flag but Miami would go back to that twice: once on a fake field goal where DajLeon Farr caught his third TD of the season and most notably on the winning TD when Kirby Freeman found Dedrick Epps all alone in the end zone for six points. Miami's poor red zone offense this season can be attributed directly to the loss of the option of the Tight End, which has been since the days of Glenn Dennsion and Willie Smith, the Canes default go to red zone play.

Back to the Running Game. Miami is a weak team on both sides of the ball, inferior in talent to most ACC opposition. Miami fans don't seem to want to admit this but it is without question the case. Where Miami does have an advantage is along the offensive line (when Jason Fox is healthy) and at the tailback position. After a confusing, error prone first half which found the Canes chasing the game in Tallahassee, Pat Nix and Randy Shannon determined to get back to what Miami can do better than anyone. PLAY SMASHMOUTH FOOTBALL.

The Hurricanes came out in the second half and ran the ball down FSU's throats. Despite being behind Nix, unlike so many of his peers in the business didn't abandon the run- instead he basically abandoned the pass and rededicated the Canes to doing what they can do best. Javarris James ran right through FSU's defense and if not for a fumble by Shawnbrey McNeil, Miami may have been able to continue running right down FSU's throat the rest of the half and kill the game. But Miami's turnover prone offense kept giving FSU good field position and conceding Field Goals to the kid they call weed (Gary Cismesia), but Nix didn't waver from running the ball. By keeping Miami's weary defense on the bench, the Canes D was able to step up and make the big stops when they had to for the victory.

The 37-29 scoreline looks like a shootout, but it wasn't. While FSU has to rely on the pass to make big plays, Miami has been for several years primarily a running team. The problem is Miami has fallen behind so much in games recently that the run was abandoned early for the pass, and Miami predictably lost. What Pat Nix showed us yesterday is even when behind Miami is going to be patient and do what we do best. Run the football and look for the Tight Ends on short patterns. This should also allow Miami to return to a more play action based attack in the future, something I know both Nix and Shannon hope to accomplish before the year ends.

Postgame Thoughts

Well that was probably the most exciting Canes game I can recall since the 2004 thrillers with Louisville and Virginia. But this being FSU-Miami made the game all the sweeter and more meaningful for the coaches, the kids on the team and everyone here in South Florida and around the nation who has been feeling blue lately. The fact that Miami beat a team with vastly superior talent for the first time since Dennis Erickson's Miami team of 1994 used its Orange Bowl mystique to beat FSU 34-20 is even more important. Regardless of Florida State's record in the ACC the last few seasons they have far superior talent at almost every position to Miami. (Running Back being the clear exception) More importantly, Florida State with superior talent and the home field they had the game well within their grasp but Miami's heart and the fine play calling of Patrick Nix won the Hurricanes the game.

This is Miami-FSU and if someone tries to tell you its another game between two unranked teams they are dead wrong. The intensity and the passion shown by the Canes today has not been seen since that triumphant march through Lane Stadium two years ago when a much more talented Canes team crushed Virginia Tech. The fighting spirit has always been the Miami spirit. That had been lost in the past few seasons but today changed that. Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, our Canes, the pride of South Florida are back.

Some Notes:

• I could go on about how inept Florida State's coaching staff is and how many plays they were clearly out schemed and out coached on but I'll point out just two here. The first was the fake FG. It was obvious to the announcers and to many of us who watch the Canes week in and week out that Miami was running a fake. Francesco Zampogna has been replaced as the FG kicker and Miami has overloaded the left side of the line where FSU's rush wasn't coming from. Yet Bowden didn't take a time out and essentially lost his team the game there if you look back. The second example is Mickey Andrews knowing Miami has several times in the past beaten FSU on a corner route to the Tight End still left a linebacker on Dedrick Epps. As a staff you play Miami every year and they tend to do the same things around the goal line. Yet Kirby Freeman who prior to that throw lacked any confidence was given the opportunity to complete a relatively easy throw in the red zone to win a big rivalry game. Epps now joins a long list of Miami TE's who have burned FSU. Willie Smith, Alfredo Roberts, Coleman Bell, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Kevin Everett and Greg Olsen.
• Chavez Grant deserves some credit for the victory. At a time when Miami's defense was getting run over he made two critical plays in a row, the first stripping the ball at the last second from Greg Carr on a sure TD catch and the second tackling Preston Parker short of the first down marker forcing a FG.
• Kyle Wright's lack of accuracy over the middle is sickening. His decision making is even worse than that. But he did have nice touch on the deep ball to Darnell Jenkins (pictured above)
• Miami was very lucky to be in the game even in the 1st Quarter. When Miami went three and out and then FSU went down the field and scored to make it 3-0 it was obvious to any observer that FSU seemed to be able to push Miami around. Then Miami runs two weak plays and faces another third down. But Michael Ray Garvin, who is FSU's best DB gets a stinger and guess what Miami goes up top on the next play and burns his replacement for the only really big offensive play they had all game until the final drive. Honestly, if Garvin isn't hurt on that one play I think FSU wins the game. Give Pat Nix credit for knowing he was out for the play and going deep.
  
• I'm a little upset Graig Cooper got caught from behind by Myron Rolle. I guess their five star recruit is faster than ours.
  
• FSU DID BREAK THE HUDDLE ON THAT REPLAY CALL WITH 12 MEN. EVERY ANGLE SHOWED IT YET THE CALL WASN'T OVERTURNED! YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF POOR ACC OFFICIATING IN A FLORIDA STATE-MIAMI GAME.
  
• It may sound crazy but I actually liked Darren Daly's decision to kick the ball out of bounds and give FSU the ball at the 35 was better than taking the chance of two speed burners Michael Ray Garvin or Preston Parker beating you. Miami's kick coverage has been so poor all year long I could just see FSU bringing one back in that situation.
• Miami has to thank the NCAA for even being competitive this year in the ACC. Had Darnell Jenkins not received a fifth year of eligibility Miami would have no deep passing game whatsoever.
  

Chant Rant's Rich Halten Checks In With Us Again

Canes Rising: What is your perspective on the 12 team ACC? How has this affected Florida State, and are Miami and FSU doomed to be perform like some SEC Teams do (Auburn, LSU, Florida) where they can only truly contend for the conference title when the have lots of upperclassmen starting in key positions?



Chant Rant:

I'm torn on this one. You can certainly make a case that no ACC team will be dominant for more than a season or two in the foreseeable future. Every school is now serious about football. Even Duke is a threat to upset most ACC opponents this year, with a good QB and new Off. Coordinator. UNC is on the upswing, thanks to Butch. Jaga whats hisname at B.C. could win a national championship. Grobe is proving Wake is no fluke. Parity very well could be the league's hallmark
for years to come.

However, FSU and Miami still have enough of a cachet left that if we can both recruit and reload -- and it appears recruiting is going well in Tallahassee and Coral Gables -- both teams could regain a talent margin over the rest of the league.

For example, the Noles have a commitment from an amazing difference-make of a QB. He appears to be a lock, and his presence -- along with a maturing OL and Mickey's stout defense -- could make the next four years very interesting.

Meanwhile, the Canes have a guy in Marve who's a tough competitor and a winner. Once healthy, he will be your Matt Grothe, with a bit of Brett Farve ruggedness for good measure. A guy like that could make UM dangerous again. Especially when balanced with those three -- or is it four? --young running backs.

I'm tending towards the latter theory. Maybe not next year, but come 2009, our game in Tallahassee could again match two highly rated teams in a smackdown the whole nation can't wait to watch.

Chant Rant's Rich Halten on FSU Fans and Bobby Bowden

Rich Halten the publisher of www.chantrant.com checks in with us again to discuss FSU fans and their thoughts about Coach Bowden.


Canes Rising: How has FSU's fan base accepted Bobby Bowden's coaching changes and are the younger FSU fans beginning to understand and appreciate Bobby Bowden's legacy to the game? Or are they as negative as I have seen on the various message boards?


Chant Rant: Bobby's sweeping staff changes were universally cheered by FSU faithful. His moves to root out badhires and public pronouncements about this being his last chance to win a national title signalled that he had moved on from mourning Jeff's departure. More importantly, it was proof his priorities were now in order. The passion was back and hopefully the Noles soon would be too -- back in the Top 10, that is.Fast forward to mid-season and the results so far are eerily similar to last year. Negative comments are again popping up on message boards and in conversations. By negative I mean everything from slams on lack of player progress, to questioning Jimbo's play calling, to abelief that nothing will really change until Bowden retires.I don't see a generational trend there. And if I had to break down attitudes in the Nole Nation right now, I'd say the vast majority are disappointed but still believe positive change will come.But on either end of the fan satisfaction spectrum are two opposed minorities. Those who say Bobby has earned the right to stay as long as he wants -- no matter how bad or good things get -- andthose who are ready for him to hang up the whistle

More Seminole Analysis from Rich Halten of Chant Rant

Rich Halten the editor and publisher of Chant Rant.com stops by again for more on FSU.



Canes Rising: We've now seen multiple games where Florida State's defense has gotten great penetration at the line of scrimmage. What has happened this off season to make FSU play the type of defense that we haven't from the Noles seen since the late 1990s?

Chant Rant:

Well, the mid season report card is out and the Noles D is doing well in most departments.
Wouldn't say they've turned back the clock to the mid-90s when opposing QBs feared for their
lives. But stats show two more INTs and five more sacks than at this time last year. Somewhat
troubling though is scoring defense where they've allowed opponents only slightly less points per
game (- 1.2).

Reasons for the improved production include:

- Chuck Amato's return to add punch as well as punctuation to Mickey Andrews's high volume
coaching.

- The emergence of Everette Brown as a pass rusher a la Peter Boulware.

- Enough bodies to allow rotation of good and very good interior D-linemen, including Fluellen,
Guion, Griffin and Thacker.

- Intense play from LBs, especially Geno Hayes who's become the emotional leader.

From the Nole Perspective: Rich Halten, Publisher of Chant Rant

Rich Halten the publisher of Chant Rant the web's best source for analysis of Florida State Football stops by all week long to discuss the Sunshine State rivalry from the Seminole perspective. Rich is an FSU grad, booster and season ticket holder for 30 years. In the past, have covered FSU for theuniversity newspaper as well as other print and broadcast media. He is uniquely qualified to give us a historical perspective on the Florida State program and on the Miami rivalry. I am very pleased and honored that he has agreed to help us at Canes Rising in the build up for Saturday's matchup.

Here is the first in series of questions Canes Rising asked Rich about the matchup.

Canes Rising: It seems that while much was made of Jimbo Fisher's hiring, Jeff Bowden may have actually done a better job with his personnel by throwing more screens against blitzes and calling more downfield throws than Fisher. Is it possible Fisher is just easing in the new play book since J. Bowden was the offensive coordinator for so long, or is Fisher's offense more vanilla than we had originally thought?

Chant Rant: A little of both. That is, "easing into the playbook" and "offense being more vanilla".The true picture isn't clear, but here are some theories/insights/opinions:

1. Though most FSU fans are disappointed and expected better, Jimbo is still head 'n shouldersabove Jeff B. Jeff did have a couple of good games (in particular the Emerald Bowl win againstUCLA) but his play-calling was mostly predictable. And though he didn't coach QBs, Jimbo has atrack record of developing very good ones. To that point, he had to start over with QB 101, tryingto UNdo the poor teaching of the previous QB coach.

2. Yes, Fisher is easing the team into the playbook. And the slow learning curve is compounded bya 180 degree change of philosophy on the offensive line (lean 'n mean versus Shamu and slow).Also, Jimbo is now re-tooling for a different QB than the one who started the season.

3. No, Fisher is not a fun 'n gun, west coast, or gimmicky offensive coordinator. We were told when he was hired -- and are seeing first hand -- that he wants a balanced attack. Unfortunately,due to the very young OL that's struggling to maintain 5% bodyfat, learn new techniques and masterthe playbook, FSU is nowhere close to balanced yet.