The real problem with FSU football
(1)USC v. Idaho
(2)LSU v. Mississippi St.
(3)West Virginia v. Western Michigan
(4)Texas v. Arkansas St.
(5)Michigan v. Appalachian St.
(6)Florida v. Western Kentucky
(7)Wisconsin v. Washington St.
(8)Oklahoma v. North Texas
(9)Virginia Tech v. East Carolina
(10)Louisville v. Murray St.
...
(19)FSU v. Clemson
Take a look at these week 1 match-ups for college football (and ignore FSU v. Clemson for right now). There are a few things that you might notice about the unranked teams on this list...
1. It is likely that you have never heard of a majority of the teams in this list.
2. With the exception of Miss St. (who sucks anyways), it is likely that you could not name what conference any of these other teams play in.
3. With the exception of Michigan (who in this case makes FSU look pretty good), all of these teams lost this weekend by a combined score of 426-98.
4. All of these teams suck.
And I think number four is really the most important point of all. All of these teams really suck...expect Clemson.
You see, some might tell you that the problem with FSU football right now is talent. On Tuesday, after the abysmal game we played against Clemson, ESPN ran an article, which basically said FSU is all but dead. We lack talent and are no longer able to obtain the talent that we once had via recruiting, and to a certain extent I think they are right. It’s understandable why a recruit would rather go to UF than FSU given FSU v. UF’s most recent seasons, as well as having a fresh young coach in Urban Meyer. Florida is also a hot recruiting area, so there’s a lot more to compete with than UM, UF, and a rising USF, but also various out of state colleges. One prime example ironically is Clemson and C.J. Spiller. Nole’s fans might remember Spiller being the back that FSU could not tackle, but he also once resided in the great state of Florida. However, despite this argument I would argue that is not the case. FSU is still one of the top 3 schools when it comes to the amount of players we have playing in the NFL and first round draft picks. As for recruiting, for the past few years FSU has continued to finds its way into the top 25 as far as recruiting classes go, so I don't think talent is a problem. Some look at Monday's game as proof (specifically the first half), but I would say what about the second half? Moving on...
Others would tell you (although fewer would due to the shake up this off-season) that the problem is the coaches. Some would say that Bobby is too old and that it's time to step down, and while at times I find myself contemplating that thought, I don't truly believe that is t-h-e problem. Besides, the truth of the matter is until Joe Patero retires/dies, Bobby is going to coach and FSU is not going to even think about firing him. As for the coaching staff...it's a really good staff. I do believe that Jeff Bowden was a problem, and Jimbo Fischer is a great replacement. Mickey Andrews is still a beast, Rick Tricket did a great job with the O-line at West Virginia and worked with Bobby before (and being the highest paid O-line coach ever I can’t help but have some faith in him), same with Chuck Amato and bringing in FSU Alums Dexter Carter and Lawrence Dawsey to work with the RB's and WR's was a great idea. So no, I don't think you can say it's the caoches anymore either. Again, moving on...
Finally, we come to the real problem with FSU, a problem that has plagued this school ever since I set foot on this campus...its schedule. In 2002, Florida State opened its season against Iowa State and won. Iowa State went 7-7 that year. In 2003, Florida State opened its season again against North Carolina and shut them out. North Carolina finished the season 2-10. However, starting in 2004, FSU randomly decided that it was time to start opening the season against Miami, one of our biggest (and to some the biggest) rivals. That year we lost 16-10. In 2005 and 2006 we opened up with Miami again and were fortunate enough to win, although each game was very close with a point differential of just 3. And of course this year we opened up with Clemson (another big rival) at Clemson and lost. What is more frustrating is that in 2003 our next game was against UAB, in 2005 it was the Citadel, in 2006 it was Troy, and this year it is UAB again; all of whom fall into the category of sucky teams like the ones shown above. So allow me to be the first to suggest the firing of Dave Hart, who I am sure is the genius that crafted these wonderful schedules. In college football there isn't the luxury (if you wish to call it that) of having a preseason such as the one in the NFL. Players are taught their positions regardless of how long they have been playing at the school, and are expected to understand the system. However, they are never put into a game situation (or anything past a scrimmage/spring game), where they and the coaches are able to critique themselves. Thus why many schools (like the ones listed above) pay the crappiest teams they can find to come to their schools and play. Schools knowingly have these teams come in, knowing they really don't stand a chance, as a sort of "preseason" game where they are able to get adjusted to playing in front of a large crowd, with the noise, and get adjusted to the system. So why FSU schedules major rivalry games to open the season is beyond me. One thing that was noticeable during Monday's game was the inexperience that plagued the offensive line, which consists of two freshmen and is such an extremely important aspect of the offense. The announcers continually pointed out their being freshman and stated numerous times that they "stood with their hands on their hips looking confused.” In such a weak conference like the ACC, how you manage to schedule one of your rivalries as the very first game amazes me.
(2)LSU v. Mississippi St.
(3)West Virginia v. Western Michigan
(4)Texas v. Arkansas St.
(5)Michigan v. Appalachian St.
(6)Florida v. Western Kentucky
(7)Wisconsin v. Washington St.
(8)Oklahoma v. North Texas
(9)Virginia Tech v. East Carolina
(10)Louisville v. Murray St.
...
(19)FSU v. Clemson
Take a look at these week 1 match-ups for college football (and ignore FSU v. Clemson for right now). There are a few things that you might notice about the unranked teams on this list...
1. It is likely that you have never heard of a majority of the teams in this list.
2. With the exception of Miss St. (who sucks anyways), it is likely that you could not name what conference any of these other teams play in.
3. With the exception of Michigan (who in this case makes FSU look pretty good), all of these teams lost this weekend by a combined score of 426-98.
4. All of these teams suck.
And I think number four is really the most important point of all. All of these teams really suck...expect Clemson.
You see, some might tell you that the problem with FSU football right now is talent. On Tuesday, after the abysmal game we played against Clemson, ESPN ran an article, which basically said FSU is all but dead. We lack talent and are no longer able to obtain the talent that we once had via recruiting, and to a certain extent I think they are right. It’s understandable why a recruit would rather go to UF than FSU given FSU v. UF’s most recent seasons, as well as having a fresh young coach in Urban Meyer. Florida is also a hot recruiting area, so there’s a lot more to compete with than UM, UF, and a rising USF, but also various out of state colleges. One prime example ironically is Clemson and C.J. Spiller. Nole’s fans might remember Spiller being the back that FSU could not tackle, but he also once resided in the great state of Florida. However, despite this argument I would argue that is not the case. FSU is still one of the top 3 schools when it comes to the amount of players we have playing in the NFL and first round draft picks. As for recruiting, for the past few years FSU has continued to finds its way into the top 25 as far as recruiting classes go, so I don't think talent is a problem. Some look at Monday's game as proof (specifically the first half), but I would say what about the second half? Moving on...
Others would tell you (although fewer would due to the shake up this off-season) that the problem is the coaches. Some would say that Bobby is too old and that it's time to step down, and while at times I find myself contemplating that thought, I don't truly believe that is t-h-e problem. Besides, the truth of the matter is until Joe Patero retires/dies, Bobby is going to coach and FSU is not going to even think about firing him. As for the coaching staff...it's a really good staff. I do believe that Jeff Bowden was a problem, and Jimbo Fischer is a great replacement. Mickey Andrews is still a beast, Rick Tricket did a great job with the O-line at West Virginia and worked with Bobby before (and being the highest paid O-line coach ever I can’t help but have some faith in him), same with Chuck Amato and bringing in FSU Alums Dexter Carter and Lawrence Dawsey to work with the RB's and WR's was a great idea. So no, I don't think you can say it's the caoches anymore either. Again, moving on...
Finally, we come to the real problem with FSU, a problem that has plagued this school ever since I set foot on this campus...its schedule. In 2002, Florida State opened its season against Iowa State and won. Iowa State went 7-7 that year. In 2003, Florida State opened its season again against North Carolina and shut them out. North Carolina finished the season 2-10. However, starting in 2004, FSU randomly decided that it was time to start opening the season against Miami, one of our biggest (and to some the biggest) rivals. That year we lost 16-10. In 2005 and 2006 we opened up with Miami again and were fortunate enough to win, although each game was very close with a point differential of just 3. And of course this year we opened up with Clemson (another big rival) at Clemson and lost. What is more frustrating is that in 2003 our next game was against UAB, in 2005 it was the Citadel, in 2006 it was Troy, and this year it is UAB again; all of whom fall into the category of sucky teams like the ones shown above. So allow me to be the first to suggest the firing of Dave Hart, who I am sure is the genius that crafted these wonderful schedules. In college football there isn't the luxury (if you wish to call it that) of having a preseason such as the one in the NFL. Players are taught their positions regardless of how long they have been playing at the school, and are expected to understand the system. However, they are never put into a game situation (or anything past a scrimmage/spring game), where they and the coaches are able to critique themselves. Thus why many schools (like the ones listed above) pay the crappiest teams they can find to come to their schools and play. Schools knowingly have these teams come in, knowing they really don't stand a chance, as a sort of "preseason" game where they are able to get adjusted to playing in front of a large crowd, with the noise, and get adjusted to the system. So why FSU schedules major rivalry games to open the season is beyond me. One thing that was noticeable during Monday's game was the inexperience that plagued the offensive line, which consists of two freshmen and is such an extremely important aspect of the offense. The announcers continually pointed out their being freshman and stated numerous times that they "stood with their hands on their hips looking confused.” In such a weak conference like the ACC, how you manage to schedule one of your rivalries as the very first game amazes me.