Breaking Down The Bowl Game: Defenses

In looking at FSU and UCLA, there are quite a few similarities. Neither team has the great offensive firepower that they have had in years past. It seems that both teams strength lies in their defensive units.

For the Noles, FSU's defense has allowed 19.2 pts per game. They have allowed the opposition only 84.1 yards rushing per game with 10 Tds coming on the ground from the opposing teams.FSU ranks second in the ACC in rush defense. In comparison, UCLA has allowed 17.9 pts. per game and allowed 89.9 yards rushing per game. The Bruins have had 7 tds coming on the ground. UCLA ranks first in the Pac-10 in rush defense.

In the passing game, the Noles defense has allowed 194.8 yards passing per game with 15 TDs scored through the air from the opposing teams. The Noles only rank seventh in the ACC in pass defense.The Bruins have allowed 214.9 passing yards per game and 17 TDs scoerd on them through the air. The Noles defense has had 10 interceptions while the Bruins defense has accounted for 12 interceptions for the year. UCLA like the Noles ranks seventh in the PAC-10 in pass defense.Florida State's secondary is young but also talented, led by Freshman All-American safety Myron Rolle, junior Roger Williams and sophomores Tony Carter and Michael-Ray Garvin.

The heart of the Noles defense lies with its linebacker corps made up of All-American Buster Davis, Geno Hayes, and Lawrence Timmons. Davis,Timmons, and Hayes have a combined 223 tackles and 13 sacks on the year. For the Bruins, their strength comes from their All-American defensive ends, Bruce Davis and Justin Hickman. These guys have 83 tackles and 12.5 sacks each on the year for a total of 25 sacks between them. UCLA linebackers Aaron Whittington, Reggie Carter and Chris Taylor have 148 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks.

FSU's defense is coached by one of the great defensive coordinators in the country, Mickey Andrews. UCLA's Defensive coordinator, DeWayne Walker could run for mayor of Westwood after his defense became the first in 64 games to hold the Trojans under 20 points.

FSU will need an extraordinary game plan to slow down the rush from these defensive ends. The key will be whose defense will have the most success against the opposing offensive line.It is important to note that UCLA has won their last three games and has allowed only two TDs in those three games. And one of those teams was USC.

Advantage: UCLA