"We've Got To Come Out Of it."

The number eight represents the consecutive number of ACC Atlantic Division games FSU has lost going back to Nov. 5, 2005. This clearly shows how far the program has fallen. As Bobby Bowden stated regarding the games lost, "We've got to come out of it."

"It takes courage to tackle."

"It takes courage to tackle. It takes a little bit of technique and a whole lot of want-to."
Mickey Andrews regarding high number of missed tackles in Clemson game.

Alexander Out For Season,Players Say Conditioning Is Good, And Fisher Grades Weatherford

Redshirt freshmen Mister Alexander is out for the season with a torn ACL.The safety from Texas was listed at number three on the depth charts behind Myron Rolle and Roosevelt Lawson.

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FSU players are saying that the new summer conditioning program paid dividends in the Clemson game. They point to the defensive side and the second half of the game. Clemson failed to score in the second half and there was only one play of more than 14 yards.
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Jimbo Fisher was generally pleased with the QB play of Drew Weatherford agianst Clemson. He did say however that "there was a time or two...at the end of the game I wish he could have made a few more plays."

FSU Prepares For Home Opener Against UAB

Excerpts From FSU Sports Information:

Florida State conducted its first full practice since the season-opener today. The Seminoles spent 20 periods practicing in uppers. The team worked on special teams, field goal, in position groups and versus scout teams. FSU will conclude its preparations for the Blazers on Thursday before heading to Thomasville Friday.

INJURY NOTE:

Mister Alexander suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Monday night in the Clemson game.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS:

Gary Cismesia made 5-of-6 attempts in field goal.

Xavier Lee and Rod Owens connected on two long TD passes versus the scout team. Carr also hauled in a pass from Drew Weatherford.

In 7-on-7 Weatherford had a deep TD pass to Carr and also had multiple connections to Richard Goodman on top of a completion to Preston Parker.Lee completed a nice pass to Bert Reed and Dionte Allen picked off a pass.

In pass rush Rodney Hudson, Daron Rose and Shannon Boatman won battles for the offense. On the other side of the ball, Emmanuel Dunbar recorded three wins and Eli Charles, Paul Griffin, Andre Fluellen and Kendrick Stewart each recorded multiple wins.

The team completed practice with the 1:00 drill. Neither the ones nor twos were able to score. The first team offense started out with a nice run by Jamaal Edwards but a sack by Alex Boston and another INT by Dionte Allen ended the drive. The twos were ineffective as well and after an incompletion forced by an Eli Charles pressure, head coach Bobby Bowden blew the whistle to close out practice.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden:

"The big thing today was to try and get a lot of repetition. The only way you are going to correct mistakes is do it over and over and over and over and over `till it becomes a habit. Now that's the big thing we tried to get across today. Just cut out the errors and the missed assignments. We'll be a lot better when we do that."

"...it goes way past the quarterback."

“I think it goes way past the quarterback. He had two or three plays in that drive that he could have made that he didn't make. We had some guys who quit on routes, didn't run routes, missed blocks up front, didn't help on the right guy."
Jimbo Fisher regarding QB Drew Weatherford's play

ACC Players Of The Week, Cocky Tommy, And NC Loses LB

ACC Offensive Back Of The Week: Matt Ryan, Boston College, Quarterback, 6-5, 218, Senior, Exton, Pa.-Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan has been chosen as the Atlantic Coast Conference's first Offensive Back of the Week for the 2007 season. A senior from Exton, Pa., Ryan led the Eagles to a hard fought 38-28 win over the 2006 ACC Champion Demon Deacons of Wake Forest. He completed 32-of-52 passes for a career-best 408 yards and five touchdowns, becoming the first Boston College quarterback to throw five or more touchdown passes since Doug Flutie in 1984. With his performance, Ryan also passed the 5,000 yard passing mark for his career. He is one of only five Boston College signal callers to achieve the feat.

ACC Defensive Lineman Of The Week:Philip Merling, Clemson, Defensive End, 6-5, 270, Junior, Memphis, Tennessee-Clemson defensive end Philip Merling was chosen as the Atlantic Coast Conference's Defensive Lineman of the Week. Merling, a junior out of St. Matthews, S.C., helped the Tigers to a 24-18 victory against No. 19 Florida State on Monday night, coming up with several big plays throughout the evening. For the night, Merling registered eight total tackles, include five solo ones, one sack and two tackles for a loss. He also was credited with a forced fumble on the night.

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The ever cocky Tommy Bowden talked about his win over FSU and player motivation for the game."They watched television on Saturday night and saw who picked who to win the game and they noticed that no one picked us. Florida State was favored.

As commentators made their comments about why Florida State was favored, the only reason they stated was because of their defense. Well, our defense gets a little chip on their shoulders. That always helps with motivation."
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Starting North Carolina linebacker Chase Rice will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of ligament damage in his left ankle, coach Butch Davis said Tuesday.Rice, a 6 feet 3 junior from Asheville, sustained the injury during Saturday’s 37-14 victory over James Madison. He will have surgery Wednesday.

A Failure To Communicate

FSU Prepares For UAB

Excerpts From FSU Sports Information:

The Florida State football team returned to practice field this afternoon following Monday night's game at Clemson in its 2007 season opener. The Seminoles practiced in shorts for eight periods under the watchful eyes of head coach Bobby Bowden. The team worked on correcting mistakes from its game against the Tigers and began implementing its game plan for Saturday's game against UAB. The Seminoles' game against the Blazers is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start and will be broadcast on ESPNU.

Head coach Bobby Bowden
"They (UAB) played last week against Michigan State and had their hands full with them. Of course, they are like us, when you play a team like that that's good you learn what your weaknesses are. You learn what your kinds don't know that you thought they did and things like that. So, there will be an improvement."

Offensive Lineman David Overmyer
(on the Clemson loss)
"I don't think it was the system; we just didn't execute and communicate. That was the big problem. We just didn't communicate and execute. We were prepared for everything they did and we went over it in practice. We knew what to do. Maybe the fact that we had three new starters in there experience-wise - you can do it out here in practice but when it comes to game speed it's a whole different ball game. Repetition of doing things and seeing stuff; it's probably a little bit easier for me because I've played a few ball games here. I've seen all the stunts and all the blitzes they are going to send so maybe it was a little easier for me to pick up. Once we settled down a little bit we did some good things out there. We didn't finish and we didn't execute as well as we should have."

FSU Gone From Polls

Remember when FSU could lose a game and hardly move down in the polls? Not anymore.

USAToday Coaches Poll
1. Southern California
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. West Virginia
5. Wisconsin
6. Oklahoma
7. Texas
8. Louisville
9. Virginia Tech
10. California
11. Ohio State
12. Georgia
13. Auburn
14. UCLA
15. Penn State
16. Rutgers
17. Nebraska
18. Arkansas
19. TCU
20. Boise State
21. Georgia Tech
22. Hawaii
23. Texas A&M
24. Tennessee
25. Boston College

Noles Hammered By Media After Clemson Loss

The Texas Star-Telegram delivered this blunt assessment. "Miss Teen South Carolina Lauren Caitlin Upton was stumped for an answer when asked why one-fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a map. If you haven't seen her ramblin', stumblin' statement, you also don't know about Google or YouTube.

Whatever embarrassment she might have caused the Palmetto State was erased Monday night. Clemson stepped up to the microphone and was asked this question: "Why do voters still think Florida State should be a Top 25 team?"

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The Miami Herald had this to say about the Noles loss to Clemson. "The Seminoles blocking front was dreadful in the first half as Florida State fell behind Clemson 24-3. Quarterback Drew Weatherford could not set his feet, much less look down field for receivers. Running back Antone Smith was smothered in the backfield."
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The GreenvilleOnline of South Carolina noted the following. "The once imperious Seminoles had begun to take on the look of a former Hollywood star living on the past, like Gloria Swanson in “Sunset Boulevard.”
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The St. Pete Times said this. "As it was, FSU's loss to Clemson was ugly enough to cause nightmares. The Seminoles were bullied early and beaten late in their 24-18 loss, and once again, there are fresh paw prints all over the once-proud FSU program."
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The South Florida Sun-Sentinel saw it like this. "At halftime, after the Tigers had built a 24-3 lead, the stat sheet looked like Bobby Bowden's worst nightmare, which meant it looked a lot like an FSU stat sheet from 2006. Through the first 20 minutes, Clemson outgained FSU on the ground 129 yards to 34. Overall, the Tigers had 210 yards of offense and 11 first downs, compared to 62 and one for FSU."

"We'll get it out of the way...."

"It was the one of the most different halves of football I've ever been around." Maybe it had to come. We'll get it out of the way, put it behind us and go on from there."
Jimbo Fisher regarding loss to Clemson

New Poll Question

There is a new poll question: What was the biggest disappointment in the loss to Clemson?

Poll Results: Coach With Most Impact

Poll results for which coach will have most impact was:

Jimbo Fisher- 65.5%

Rick Trickett- 27.3%

"...it was the triple crown of bad offense."

"FSU couldn't run. FSU couldn't throw. FSU couldn't block. In other words, it was the triple crown of bad offense."
Gary Shelton, St. Pete Times

Monday Morning Quarterback:FSU-Clemson Game

The Noles 18-24 loss at Clemson is one that is tough to swallow. However, there is not much time to fret over the loss since this is a short week.

Offensive Line: Awful in first half and much improved in second half. This is an area of concern. Lots of questions for Rick Trickett.
Grade: C-

Running Game: Antoine Smith looked decent in second half. Time will tell how good he is.
Grade: B-

QB: Weatherford had no interceptions and looked decent at times. Mobility is definitely a problem.
Grade: C

Offensive Coaching: Jimbo Fisher has lots of work to do with offense. Offense had terrible clock management problems and penalties.
Grade: C-

Receivers: Receivers did not have a good day. This has to improve quickly.
Grade: D

Defensive Coaching: Defense was on the field too long! Missed tackles unusal for Andrews led defense. All in all defense had a decent game.
Grade: B-

Intangibles/Special Teams Play: Penalties and clock management was awful!
Grade: F

Noles Ambushed 18-24 At Death Valley

It is very difficult to make broad sweeping judgments after a first game. However, one thing can be said. Our time management and subsequent penalties were absolutely awful! This has to fall on the coaches.

The second half Noles were obviously much better but it was too little too late. Our receivers were almost missing in action in the game. De'Cody Fagg had a horrible game. This is the same receiver that had been so touted in practices.

All in all the defense had a decent game especially since they were on the field a lot during the game.

Drew Weatherford had some decent plays but generally seemed like the same old Drew. His mobility is a problem when a blitz is on or there is a broken play. Not sure if he can improve.

FSU-Clemson GameDay Facts

Kickoff: 8 p.m. EST

Television: ESPN

Site: Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina

Stadium Capacity: 81,473

Surface: Natural Grass

Coaches: Bobby Bowden (293-81-4 in 32nd year at FSU) and Tommy Bowden (60-38 in eighth year at Clemson).

Gameday Uniform: Noles will be wearing white on white.

Line: FSU by 3

All-Time Series: FSU leads series 15-5

Stat that matters: The Noles have lost last two games against Clemson and three out of last four.

Key Stat: Noles coach Bobby Bowden usually leaves the field a winner in season openers, posting a 27-4 overall record at FSU and 16-1 since 1990.

Last game against Clemson: Florida State lost 20-27 at home to Clemson on Sept 16, 2006.

Game Day Weather: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. North winds around 5 mph.

Keys To FSU-Clemson Game

* Establish the run. Need I say more?

* Drew Weatherford must play within himself. No dumb passes into double coverage.

* Time management and no foolish penalties.

* FSU defense needs to contain the Clemson backs. Not stop them but contain them.

* Offensive line must play good enough to allow Smith and Weatherford to make plays.

* Good solid play from receivers, especially Carr and Fagg.

Stick A Fork In Them- They're Done

tur·key-an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual.

When my daughter who lives in Portland,Oregon and could care less about sports talks to me about Appalachian State beating Michigan you know it's a big event.

For those of you that may have just emerged from a cave, number 5 ranked Michigan was beat at home by Appalachian State. Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr may need to go into the witness protection plan. If he sees people coming toward the athletic office with pitchforks, he should not assume it is harvest time. Run like the wind Lloyd.

Anyway, so much for scheduling supposed cupcakes. If you schedule them, you had better make sure you beat them.

Tribble Player Of The Week,Portis Out, And Baker Gone

Boston College senior cornerback DeJuan Tribble was named National Defensive Player of the Week Sunday by the Walter Camp Football Foundation after tying a career high with three interceptions to lead BC to a 38-28 season-opening victory over Wake Forest. In addition to his three interceptions (two of which came in the end zone), Tribble added seven solo tackles, including one for a loss.

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Maryland backup quarterback Josh Portis has been ruled ineligible for the season due to an academic issue, the Maryland Athletics Department has announced. "I am extremely disappointed that I made a mistake involving the University Academic Code of Conduct," Portis said in the statement. "This has resulted in the University declaring me not eligible for the 2007 season. I will continue to practice and support my teammates."Coach Ralph Friedgen said it was the university's decision, not the team's decision.
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North Carolina State star running back Toney Baker will miss the rest of the season after injuring a knee against Central Florida. The junior was hurt Saturday night during the fourth quarter of a 25-23 loss. The school did not specify which knee was injured.

My View: "Where The Rubber Hits The Road"

It's almost time for the 2007 season of Seminole football to begin, And to use an often quoted phrase,this is "where the rubber hits the road." Hot grueling practices are left behind as the Noles now focus on their opponents.

To continue with the car and highway analogy, FSU now has a high octane coaching staff. As Bobby Bowden has stated, it's the best money can buy. There is only one Bowden on the coaching staff and that is a good thing.

There are lots of questions to be answered on this 2007 team. Can Drew Weatherford have a year in which he sees the light and becomes a smart playmaker? Will the offensive line be improved enough to allow for a running game? Will the receivers be more disciplined in route running and pass catching? And can Mickey Andrews manage to have another good defensive team after losing Davis and Timmons? And will this be the year that our kicking game will perform above our low expectations of them?

The road to the top of the ACC this year will be challenging to say the least. The Noles can no longer walk on the field and expect to win. The Mercedes has been replaced with a Ford. It can still get take you places but the ride may be more bumpy.

Expectations are probably too high for this 2007 team. And yet Bobby Bowden and probably most fans would rather shoot high than focus on the middle of the road. It will be interesting to see how 2007 develops. Wherever it takes us as a Nole nation, let's hope we enjoy the ride.

Bama Fans Go Crazy,Colorado Wins OT, And Gators Have A Cupcake

92,138 screaming Bama fans squeezed their way into Bryant-Denny on Saturday night to see as one observer put it " nothing less than a coaching coronation that would have put Buckingham Palace to shame." They watched Alabama beat a cupcake,Western Carolina, 52-6. Doesn't take much to make Bama fans happy.

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Colorado's 31-28 overtime victory over rival Colorado State on Saturday - capped by Kevin Eberhart's game-winning 35-yard field goal - unleashed emotions the Buffs and their fans haven't experienced for at least two seasons. As they say, a win is a win especially if it is to your in-state rival.
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Florida routed the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 49-3 in what could be called a preseason jamboree. Both teams agreed to call the game after a 62-minute lightning delay stopped it with 8:23 left in the fourth quarter. Can anyone say cupcake?
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Neil Callaway left a locker room filled with disappointed UAB football players, walked swiftly to the post-game interviews and eventually said what he had worried he'd have to say after the Blazers opened his tenure as the program's head coach at Michigan State. "...we were out-manned today," said Callaway, who had been worried about his team's youth, size and depth in comparison to the Spartans. Michigan State stuck it to UAB with a 55-18 victory Saturday. The Noles play UAB at home this Saturday.

My Buys And Sells For FSU-Clemson

Clemson mascot- A clothed mascot. Give me a break.This mascot looks like he belongs on a children's show. Not as a football mascot. I am selling.

Clemson home field advantage-Clemson's Death Valley is a tough place to play and hear. This will be real test for younger players. I am buying.

Jimbo Fisher will have a good offensive game plan- Fisher has the experience. The question will be if Weatherford and others can execute the plan. I am buying.

Mickey Andrews will have a good defensive scheme- Mickey is one of the best and I believe he will have something special for "Thunder and Lightning." I am buying.

FSU field goal kicker Cismesia will have good game- Let's hope the game does not come down to a field goal for the Noles. Until I see marked improvement,I am selling.

Drew Weatherford will not be intercepted- Mmmm...let me think about that one. I will have to wait and see if he has learned about throwing into double coverage. For now I am selling.

FSU will be able to sack Clemson QB- I think the defense will be able to pressure the Clemson quarterback and get some sacks. I am buying.

ESPN Will Show Ann Bowden Numerous Times and Mention Bowden Bowl Ad Nauseum- Even Bobby Bowden has said that he is tired of the father-son angle.It is over used. Sadly, I think ESPN is not tired of the same old thing. I am buying.

"...could roll right through the season.”

"If we win in Clemson, on national TV and with a new staff, this could give them a high that could roll right through the season.”
FSU President T.K. Wetherell

Clemson Ready To Run On Noles

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE:

The Tigers have quality and depth at running back with James Davis (1,187 yards rushing in 2006) and C.J. Spiller (938), but developing a passing game to take the heat off those two will be the key to their offense. Junior Cullen Harper will get his first start at quarterback and needs to have early success to give the Tigers a chance to move the ball against a tough Florida State defense.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE:

The Tigers have a solid set of linebackers and look strong against the run with their front seven. But with two new starters at corner, the secondary may be vulnerable and likely will be tested early by FSU QB Drew Weatherford.


PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Cullen Harper — A first-year starter as a junior, the little-used Harper held off a challenge from freshman Willy Korn in the fall. He was only 4 of 12 against the first-team defense in a recent scrimmage but did produce two touchdowns and a field goal.

RB C.J. Spiller — Coaches are looking for a way to get Spiller more opportunities to take advantage of his big-play capability. After he touched the ball only five times in the bowl loss to Kentucky at running back, the coaches started giving him opportunities as a slot receiver and will line him up on the field with starting TB James Davis at times.

LB Nick Watkins — The senior is Clemson's leading returning tackler and had a big performance in the Tigers' recent scrimmage. He's a two-year starter.

BC Gets Big Win, Canes Prevail, And Duke Loses Another Among ACC Scores

Randy Shannon's debut as coach of the Miami Hurricanes was a successful one.Javarris James ran for two touchdowns, Tavares Gooden and Calais Campbell had interceptions to set up easy scoring drives, and the Hurricanes recorded six sacks as the Canes beat Marshall 31-3 Saturday.

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Getting off to a sluggish start in what figures to be an emotionally charged season, No. 9 Virginia Tech struggled to beat East Carolina 17-7 Saturday, even hearing boos from a home crowd that honored a plea not to jeer the Pirates.
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Devin Moore rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown and Wyoming held Virginia to 110 total yards in a 23-3 victory Saturday in the season opener for both teams. The Cavaliers (0-1) beat the Cowboys 13-12 in overtime last season in Charlottesville, thanks to a missed extra point by Wyoming. But the Cavs couldn't escape this season - and they couldn't run at all against Wyoming. Virginia had 7 yards on the ground.
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Matt Ryan threw for five touchdowns -- second most at Boston College only to Doug Flutie -- and DeJuan Tribble intercepted three passes on Saturday to help the Eagles beat Wake Forest 38-28 and give Jeff Jagodzinski a victory in his head coaching debut.
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North Carolina got off to a fast start under new coach Butch Davis, getting three touchdown passes from first-time starter T.J. Yates to beat James Madison 37-14 on Saturday. Yates threw for 218 yards -- including a 65-yard score on his first college throw -- for the Tar Heels, who won their season opener for just the third time in a decade. Brooks Foster caught two touchdown passes, while redshirt freshman Anthony Elzy ran for a pair of short scores.
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Georgia Tech didn't need Calvin Johnson on Saturday. It had Tashard Choice. Choice rushed for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns and the Georgia Tech defense had little trouble with any of Notre Dame's replacements for Brady Quinn, shutting down the running of Demetrius Jones and the passing of Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen in beating Notre Dame 33-3 on Saturday.
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Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen accounted for 354 yards of total offense to lead Connecticut (1-0) to a 45-14 victory over Duke (0-1) Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium. After falling behind, 14-8, in the second quarter,Connecticut scored 37 unanswered points to close the game.
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Keon Lattimore ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns, Jordan Steffy played exceptionally well in his first start as Maryland's quarterback, and the Terrapins wore down Villanova in a 31-14 victory Saturday night.
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The Wolfpack managed to turn Saturday's season-opener against Central Florida in front of 57,283 at Carter-Finley Stadium from a blow-out to a nail-biter. Trailing 25-3 at the half, the Wolfpack came within a two-point conversion midway through the fourth of completing a comeback, thanks in part to improved play by the defense and a quarterback switch just before halftime. Still, the Golden Knights held on for a 25-23 victory, spoiling new head coach Tom O'Brien's NC State debut.

Clemson Prepared For Fisher

Clemson football coaches are leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for their game against the Noles. Particular focus as been on what new offensive coordinator Jombo fisher will do on offense.

"Jimbo's a very well thought of guy," said defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. "So, you can't call people on other staffs that he's been on and say, 'Okay, what's the deal?'

"Even some guys that are really close friends they just don't feel good about it. You respect that."

Koenning said he has assembled a good bit of LSU video on Fisher's offense. How much video does Clemson have on Fisher's offense? "We've got enough games that we can't practice all the plays," Koenning said. In one personnel grouping, the Tigers have 579 snaps.

Noles Without Five Players In Opening Game

This is not the way you want to start a season. FSU will be without five players for the opening game against Clemson. Coach Bobby Bowden said Friday that wide receiver Joslin Shaw and defensive end Kevin McNeil have been suspended for the game for violating team rules.

Tight end Matt Dunham (ankle) and running back Russell Ball (shoulder) are out with injuries.Walk-on linebacker Jeremy Franklin will be unavailable for unspecified reasons.