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From the Sidelines: Scouting FSU
Published: Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.
The No. 1 Florida Gators have a 21-game winning streak and a five-game winning streak against FSU, their opponent on Saturday at The Swamp.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Last week: The Seminoles rallied late thanks to a 48-yard punt return by Greg Reid and Lonnie Pryor's touchdown run to beat Maryland 29-26. With the win in defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews' final home game, the Seminoles became bowl eligible.
Web site: Seminoles.com
Stat leaders: Running back Jermaine Thomas, 131 carries for 690 yards and seven touchdowns; QB E.J. Manuel, 33 of 51 with one touchdown; Wide receiver Bert Reed, 53 catches for 671 yards and no touchdowns; Wide receiver Rod Owens, 53 catches for 652 yards and three touchdowns; Defensive back Greg Reid, 19 punt returns for 350 yards and one touchdown; Linebacker Nigel Badham, 76 tackles; Defensive end Markus White, 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Fun fact: Florida State is the only U.S. campus that has a three-ring student circus. The Flying High Circus, which began in 1947, performs around the country. The circus members consist of FSU students with no previous circus experience.
Coach's quote: "This thing has got to turn around. And I would say if you did that (beat Florida), it's around. You're getting good if you can beat them, I'll tell you what. What a task. What a task." — Bobby Bowden
THREE QUESTIONS WITH ...
Senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham
What's going to be your lasting memory here at Florida?
There are a lot of things that have happened through my four years, but I'd have to say my lasting (memory) would have to be me graduating on Dec. 18.
With everything you've been through, how would you sum up your four years at Florida?
I'd probably sum it up as successful. The (senior class' 46-6 record), I didn't know that. We've been doing pretty well. It feels good to be a part of Florida. I came to Florida and did what I pretty much had to do, considering I'm graduating in December. I'd pretty much sum it up as successful.
When you committed to Florida, did you think you could finish in three and a half years?
I never knew, but when it came down to it during my second and third year, I knew I had a shot. It was coming closer and closer and I took it real serious and tried to make the attempt to graduate (early)
GATOR TRIVIA
Q. Florida has won five straight games against Florida State, one under Ron Zook and four under Urban Meyer. Is this the longest winning streak for the Gators over the Seminoles?
A. Nope, not even close. From 1968 through 1976, the Gators won nine straight against FSU. That included a 17-15 win in 1971 when Florida was 0-5 and FSU was 5-0.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
The votes are due in a little more than two weeks, so who do you think should win the Heisman Trophy and who do you think will win it?
Pat Dooley: I said before the season that it would be Florida and Texas in the title game, and Colt McCoy would win the Heisman. So I'm sticking with that. If the vote was taken today, I would think the Big Three would be invited to New York — McCoy, Mark Ingram and Tim Tebow. With everything Tebow had to deal with this season, I'd have to vote for him.
Robbie Andreu: Colt McCoy has the numbers and his team is undefeated, so he's going to get serious consideration. A lot depends on the SEC Championship Game. If Tim Tebow has a big game and Florida wins, he could move to the forefront. The same goes for Alabama tailback Mark Ingram. The winner of that game could be the guy to beat. I think Tebow should win the Heisman for one simple reason: He's the best player in college football.
DR. FOOTBALL'S E-MAIL BAG
Doctor: With the exception of the South Carolina game, most of Caleb Sturgis' kickoffs this year are landing near the 5-to-10 yard line instead of the end zone. Is Urban having him kick short intentionally to enable the coverage team to make a play? — Gary in California
Gary: The plan is to kick them high and directional to allow the coverage team to get down there and make a play. If Sturgis could consistently blast the ball through the end zone, he would. But Urban Meyer is not a big believer in kicking line drives that are caught two yards deep. They lead to big returns.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Last week: The Seminoles rallied late thanks to a 48-yard punt return by Greg Reid and Lonnie Pryor's touchdown run to beat Maryland 29-26. With the win in defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews' final home game, the Seminoles became bowl eligible.
Web site: Seminoles.com
Stat leaders: Running back Jermaine Thomas, 131 carries for 690 yards and seven touchdowns; QB E.J. Manuel, 33 of 51 with one touchdown; Wide receiver Bert Reed, 53 catches for 671 yards and no touchdowns; Wide receiver Rod Owens, 53 catches for 652 yards and three touchdowns; Defensive back Greg Reid, 19 punt returns for 350 yards and one touchdown; Linebacker Nigel Badham, 76 tackles; Defensive end Markus White, 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Fun fact: Florida State is the only U.S. campus that has a three-ring student circus. The Flying High Circus, which began in 1947, performs around the country. The circus members consist of FSU students with no previous circus experience.
Coach's quote: "This thing has got to turn around. And I would say if you did that (beat Florida), it's around. You're getting good if you can beat them, I'll tell you what. What a task. What a task." — Bobby Bowden
THREE QUESTIONS WITH ...
Senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham
What's going to be your lasting memory here at Florida?
There are a lot of things that have happened through my four years, but I'd have to say my lasting (memory) would have to be me graduating on Dec. 18.
With everything you've been through, how would you sum up your four years at Florida?
I'd probably sum it up as successful. The (senior class' 46-6 record), I didn't know that. We've been doing pretty well. It feels good to be a part of Florida. I came to Florida and did what I pretty much had to do, considering I'm graduating in December. I'd pretty much sum it up as successful.
When you committed to Florida, did you think you could finish in three and a half years?
I never knew, but when it came down to it during my second and third year, I knew I had a shot. It was coming closer and closer and I took it real serious and tried to make the attempt to graduate (early)
— Edward Aschoff
GATOR TRIVIA
Q. Florida has won five straight games against Florida State, one under Ron Zook and four under Urban Meyer. Is this the longest winning streak for the Gators over the Seminoles?
A. Nope, not even close. From 1968 through 1976, the Gators won nine straight against FSU. That included a 17-15 win in 1971 when Florida was 0-5 and FSU was 5-0.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
The votes are due in a little more than two weeks, so who do you think should win the Heisman Trophy and who do you think will win it?
Pat Dooley: I said before the season that it would be Florida and Texas in the title game, and Colt McCoy would win the Heisman. So I'm sticking with that. If the vote was taken today, I would think the Big Three would be invited to New York — McCoy, Mark Ingram and Tim Tebow. With everything Tebow had to deal with this season, I'd have to vote for him.
Robbie Andreu: Colt McCoy has the numbers and his team is undefeated, so he's going to get serious consideration. A lot depends on the SEC Championship Game. If Tim Tebow has a big game and Florida wins, he could move to the forefront. The same goes for Alabama tailback Mark Ingram. The winner of that game could be the guy to beat. I think Tebow should win the Heisman for one simple reason: He's the best player in college football.
DR. FOOTBALL'S E-MAIL BAG
Doctor: With the exception of the South Carolina game, most of Caleb Sturgis' kickoffs this year are landing near the 5-to-10 yard line instead of the end zone. Is Urban having him kick short intentionally to enable the coverage team to make a play? — Gary in California
Gary: The plan is to kick them high and directional to allow the coverage team to get down there and make a play. If Sturgis could consistently blast the ball through the end zone, he would. But Urban Meyer is not a big believer in kicking line drives that are caught two yards deep. They lead to big returns.
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