FSU Primer (Snack Version)
I just thought I'd put together some content for the board while sitting here doing nothing. Florida State is a 9-3 team, but what do we really know about them? I know I don't know much so I started searching around for some information. So they are the #9 team according to S&P+, with the offense #6, defense #18, and special teams #85. For comparable teams statistically, think a slightly upgraded Ohio State offense (12), a slightly downgraded Iowa defense (12), and special teams like Indiana (98).
Digging deeper into the defensive stats, they defend the run and pass about the same - (31) and (25) respectively. Their big weakness is on passing downs (plays where the offense needs 8 or more yards) which they rank (50) at. They have 14 interceptions, 8 of those coming from Tavarus McFadden. Michigan had 12 interceptions this year FWIW. Pressure will come from Demarcus Walker who has recorded 15 sacks so far.
Their offense is very efficient, performing well on both rushing (6) and passing (21). Rushing is obvious because Dalvin Cook. Cook has recorded over 2000 yards from scrimmage between passing and rushing so far. Travis Rudolph is their leading reciever with 807 yards averaging 15.2 YPC. They have a lot of recievers who have recorded between 300-400 yards for the season. The QB, Deondre Francois is completing 60.6% of his passes averaging 8.4 yards while recording 18 TDs and 6 INTs.
So who have they beaten this year? Really their three best wins are Ole Miss the first game of the year, Florida the last game of the year, and Miami in the middle of the year. They beat Ole Miss by 11 points, Florida by 18, and Miami by 1. They also had a squeaker with NC State, but who didn't this year?
Who have they lost two this year? Louisville won by 43, North Carolina by 2, and Clemson by 3. Other than Louisville, they haven't been blown out in their losses. They are a couple plays away from having a much better record, so there is that.
Not exactly diary level material, just some information for the board.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:20 AM ^
December 5th, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^
Ironically, even though I am one who refers to the Washington NFL team as just that, I disagree on the nickname aspect for FSU. Probably the wrong venue to hash this out, but suffice to say that they are one of the few who have a case for keeping their nickname.
Agreed strongly on all other points.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:24 AM ^
done an interesting job working to build respect and understanding with local Seminole groups. It's appropriating the name in the first place that's kind of problematic, but it's head and shoulders above teams like Washington, which basically say FU to anyone's sensitivity about the thing. To me it would just be more interesting/richer if they were, say, the Washington Alqonquins, and drew on that tradition--and worked with Chesapeake-area groups to build something. And smarter from a marketing standpoint.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
So long as there is rapprochement with the groups involved and an effort to actually honor the indigenous people of a region, I think such names are fine. That is the difference between a Central Michigan, who have a strong working relationship with the local tribe and have removed any potentially offensive imagery, and a North Dakota, who refused to listen to local tribes and entrenched their imagery into the bedrock of their campus. FSU tends toward the former.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^
December 5th, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
December 5th, 2016 at 8:06 AM ^
December 5th, 2016 at 8:26 AM ^
December 5th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^
Probably another close, nerve wracking game.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:11 AM ^
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December 5th, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^
Still vivid memories. It took FSU CB Terrell Buckley about three plays to size up Grbac. On the fourth play (or so) Buckley played well off his man (whom I think was Desmond), almost inviting Grbac to throw in his direction. Grbac faded back, failed to pick up where Buckley was, and let fly. Buckley flew too, straight for the ball and then into the end zone. From there the wheels came off the M wagon.
That game was also during the time when all of M's efforts to grow natural grass on the newly renovated Big House field came to nought. M even went to MSU agronomists for help, fergod'ssake. Nothing worked --- the FSU players mocked the holes in the field where grass plugs had been planted. The players stuck footballs in the holes --- about a third of the football disappeared below the turf.
All in all, a most unsatisfying afternoon --- so I guess there'll be a score to settle in Miami on Dec 30.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:33 AM ^
I was a student at the time. There was so much hype for this matchup and we laid an egg. Every time FSU played their "war chant", which was basically the whole game, the entire Michigan student section chopped with their middle fingers. I don't think the FSU players liked that too much based on the final score! I remember the Michigan Daily had an article the next day about Michigan students "showing the nation their middle finger". Ah, good times.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:03 AM ^
FWIW it looks like their S&P ST rank is 65 which is close to IL (61).
December 5th, 2016 at 6:26 PM ^
We wrecked OSU's offense pretty good by owning the LOS. I think we can do the same to OSU's offense with a better RB but worse QB
Not sure how our offense will do, but I think our D will do well