Here is what I wrote about this game in the first post in this thread.
Navy +6 How is Rutgers a 6 point favorite against anyone and how are they going to stop Navy???? It wont happen but the question will be....Can Navy stop Rutgers???? We will find out on Saturday.......
its either Navy or nothing in this game......dont lay money on a team on the road thats a favorite and has no defense.......Rutgers might win but I wouldnt play them this week for sure!!!!!!!
I am hesitant to follow my feelings when I think we are going to win. I am afraid to put my money where my heart. The only time I bet on Noles games is when I think they are going to lose, and I am usually right in those instances.
That said, I think FSU wins this game. I was around the team quite a bit this off-season, and this is THE game that was pointed to all summer as being the make-or-break moment of the season.
Also, even though the Noles have played the sisters of the poor for the first two games, there are differences in this year's team versus the last few years. First off, we destroyed teams we were supposed to destroy. This has not happened in 5-6 years. Also, no turnovers thru 2 games. One score given up on a long (60+ yards) play where the db (McClure) missed a PBU by a few inches.
Let there be NO doubt. This is Jimbo Fisher's team. This is a vast change from the last few years where there was no one that set the tone and established an identity. Now, there is an actual gameplan on offense, where we utilize calls in the 1st quarter to set up the rest of the game. It's not play-calling by dart-throwing anymore. Look out for tons of slip screens, then pump-and-go's. This offense is becoming more and more reminiscent of Jimbo's teams at LSU. The passing game is more focused on decision-making by the QB before the snap. Ponder is a very smart kid (in 2nd semester of grad school as a redshirt soph) and his arm strength is vastly superior to Weatherford's. Also, the other QB, Richardson, is an explosive athlete that (if nothing else) will make Wake devote some of their practice time to gameplanning for.
This is a young team (especially at O-line) that will experience growing pains during this season (and during this game). That being said, this is the most talented, most team-conscious group we have had in Tallahassee since 2000. Having a young o-line (while not ideal) is a blessing compared to the last bunch of years. The kids that are now playing are Trickett's guys. They listen to him, and they haven't developed all the bad habits.
The offense is very thin at RB, TE, and o-line, but deep at QB and WR. The defense (especially for this game) is thin at DT, CB and S, but deep at DE and LB.
The defense is improved because of the defensive ends. Everette Brown, if he stays healthy, will IMHO be a 1st round pick. He is that special. On the other side, there are finally some playermakers, with Kevin McNeil back after missing last season and Marcus White, the natl JUCO defender of the year last year (21 sacks). The secondary is still not great and is undersized, but the improved DE play will cover some of this up. The LB corp is strong, with talent and speed to burn. The return of emotional leader and veteran DT Budd Thacker will be huge in this game against Wake's misdirection attack.
The major thing that concerns me with this team (aside from the youth and lack of depth at a couple of positions) is the lack of anything resembling consistent place-kicking. The Noles will be going for it on fourth-and-short in enemy territory much more this season.
Also, for the first time in a few years, there is a hard ticket to get in town. Even 2 years ago against UF, there were tickets available on FSU's website up until gametime. This week, I know of a couple players still scrambling to get extra tickets for family members. If the weather is even halfway decent, the atmosphere at Doak this Saturday night will be electric.
Sorry for being long-winded. Hopefully, some of this helps. Good luck this weekend.
arty:
