USF/FSU write up

[cmhatter]

No surprise he picked FSU.

It is a Tallahassee paper.

Panama City, actually, but absolutely in the Seminole Nation.

I don't see how anyone in any Nation could make a case for us to win this game, at this point in time ...

i'm with you

[Woogie53]

USF d-line could manhandle the FSU o-line again and this would make game very interesting

FSU's O-Line is really their only weak link right now. However, from what I've read, that made some pretty drastic changes with the O-Line since the ND Bowl game. USF will be their O-Line's first real test IMO.

As for BJ running against FSU's D-Line, I don't think it's going to make any difference since the ENTIRE defense is stacked at FSU.

I'm predicting a low-scoring game however. Similar to the 2009 matchup. Unfortunately I think FSU's defense will shut down USF most of the game, but will probably give up 1 big play early in the game. FSU's offense I think is going to struggle in this game though.

[ctbrown24]

Here's another from the Slant:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_fsu/2012/07/counting-down-florida-states-schedule-no-5-usf.html/comment-page-1#comment-44098

The last time Florida State played South Florida, the Seminoles stumbled to a 17-7 loss on their home turf. FSU will head to Tampa this September looking to reassert itself in the relatively new in-state series. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

OK, so summer just started. But before you know it, instead of firing up the grill in your backyard on a warm July day, you’ll soon be packing up your tailgate gear and bringing it to the parking lots around Doak Campbell Stadium in anticipation of the only thing that matters in Tallahassee: football.

Sure, you may have taken one quick glance at Florida State’s home schedule this season and shaken your head. You may have been so put off by the West Virginia cancellation snafu that you’re unsure about purchasing season tickets or making the trip out for a game or two or three or seven. But then you realize: it’s football. And it’s FSU. And this could be the year. (Phil Steele sure thinks so) Perhaps the following will help you make your ticket-purchase decision. Perhaps it won’t. At the very least, hopefully the following will start getting you ready for a little FSU football.

At the end of June and beginning of July, the Chopping Block is examining FSU’s regular season schedule, and counting down the games, 12-1, in order of significance. Of course, in theory, every game is important on the Seminoles’ schedule. The players themselves should want to win them all. But what about for the fans? For you, which games should be more important than others? Check out the Chopping Block’s thoughts, and then chime in below to see what you decide.

No. 5 — SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

Scheduled to play FSU: Sept. 29

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Time: TBA

2011 Record: 5-7 (1-6 Big East Conference)

Head coach: Skip Holtz

2011 team stats: Scored 29.2 points per game; allowed 22.7 points per game; rushing average: 183.2 yards per game; passing average: 248.0 yds per game; total offense: 431.2 yds per game; opponents only returned nine punts; penalized 85 times for an average 60.1 yards per game; 19-for-26 on field goals; converted 85 percent of red zone scoring chances; converted 56 percent of red zone touchdown attempts.

Last time played FSU: Won, 17-7 in Tallahassee. It was the B.J. Daniels Show when the Bulls and Seminoles last met in 2009. The Tallahassee native who was mostly spurned by FSU during his recruitment filled in better than admirably for injured starting quarterback Matt Grothe. Passing for 215 yards and rushing for another 128, Daniels was a sort of one-man wrecking crew against an FSU program that was mere days from turmoil. Less than two weeks later, calls for then-coach Bobby Bowden’s ouster hit a fever pitch. The loss to USF was the first of three straight for the Seminoles, who ultimately finished the year and Bowden’s illustrious career victorious in the Gator Bowl against West Virginia.

Returning offensive stats leaders: QB B.J. Daniels, Sr. (215-for-365 passing, 2,585 yds, 13 TDs, 7 INTs, 126.31 efficiency rating, 235.0 yds per game passing, 601 yds rushing, 6 rushing TDs); RB Demetrius Murray, Sr. (121 carries, 503 yds, 8 TDs, 4.2 yds per carry, 41.9 yds per game, 18 catches, 205 yds receiving); WR Sterling Griffin, Jr. (43 catches, 530 yds, 12 TDs); WR Victor Marc, Sr. (33 catches, 357 yds, 2 TDs); WR Andre Davis, Soph. (22 catches, 273 yds, 2 TDs); TE Evan Landi, Sr. (29 catches, 297 yds, 1 TD)

Returning defensive stats leaders: LB DeDe Lattimore, Jr. (94 total tackles, 13.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles); LB Michael Lanaris, Sr. (87 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 recovered fumbles); LB Sam Barrington, Sr. (72 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT); CB Kayvon Webster, Sr. (49 total tackles, 1.0 TFL, 2 INTs)

Biggest loss(es): RB Darrell Scott (153 carries, 814 yds, 5 TDs, 5.3 yds per carry); S Jerrell Young (51 total tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2 INTs)

Reasons they’ll be tough: Entering Holtz’s third season at USF, the Bulls bring back most of their key offensive and defensive players from a team that didn’t meet expectations in the conference standings. Don’t be too misled by the Bulls’ 5-7 record in 2011. Of their losses, five were decided by a touchdown or less, including one in overtime. Not to mention, just a year prior, USF had its fifth consecutive eight-win season and beat Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. With such an experienced returning group, particularly one that was in so many close games last season, the Seminoles shouldn’t expect a cakewalk when they head to Tampa in late September.

Biggest story line: FSU’s 2009 loss to Daniels and the Bulls may have been a pivotal, program-defining moment. Although the Bulls were far from a bad team that season, many around Tallahassee still point to that loss as one that may have led to the eventual “retiring†of Bowden. No coach at THE Florida State University is supposed to lose to any in-state team, unless its Florida or Miami. Even then, losing streaks against those schools aren’t looked upon very well, either. But a loss to a USF or UCF or anyone else in the Sunshine State is unfathomable. A week after the loss to USF, a loss to Boston College was the last straw. Many FSU fans had reached a breaking point. It was time for a change at the top.

With the emotions of that two-week stretch still fresh in mind for many Seminoles fans, the biggest story line entering this contest will be all about revenge. Yes, the Bulls may have beaten them on their home turf, but now the Seminoles have a chance to do the same to them. Due to the rarity of such meetings between these in-state foes (this is only the second time the teams have faced one another), Raymond James Stadium likely will be a mix of green, gold and — perhaps mostly — garnet.

Reason they’re No. 5: As previously mentioned, getting past USF in what could be considered a downgraded rivalry game, won’t be an easy feat for the Seminoles. By late September, they already would have played four games, including two against some key ACC opponents. The game will be FSU’s first road test of the season, too. Due to the nature of emotions that could be at play — former high school teammates and rivals will be playing one another, and USF will be out to knock off the nationally-ranked power program for a second time — this contest has the potential to be one of the most significant for the Seminoles this season.

While it will have no bearing on FSU’s conference race, and by extension, its immediate BCS bowl hopes, the game could have an effect on the Seminoles by season’s end. Depending on how well the Bulls finish the year, it could be a key strength of schedule win for FSU. That would help prop the Seminoles up for any at-large bowl spots that they might qualify for entering the postseason. More immediately, a loss likely would drop the Seminoles from what could be a top-10 ranking, thereby making their climb back into the BCS bowl conversation a steep one.

While this non-conference game is early in the season, it still could very easily influence the direction of FSU’s season depending upon whether the Seminoles win or lose. Again, every game on the schedule should be considered important by the players themselves, but these are the reasons why this game is the fifth-most significant on our countdown.

***

Be sure to check back across the next two weeks as we continue to count down to the most significant game on FSU’s 2012 schedule.

[GaUSFBull]

But a loss to a USF or UCF or anyone else in the Sunshine State is unfathomable.

Fixed for accuracy.

[smazza]

i thought bj would be a stud by now

usf did it once they can do it again

[mikemcp88]

BJ has this last year left to show he can be a stud.

[Oldsmobull]

DataBull, on 05 July 2012 - 09:20 PM, said:

bulls phanatic, on 05 July 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

No surprise he picked FSU.

It is a Tallahassee paper.

Panama City, actually, but absolutely in the Seminole Nation

FSU has a branch campus in Panama City

http://www.pc.fsu.edu/

[GaUSFBull]

DataBull, on 05 July 2012 - 09:20 PM, said:

bulls phanatic, on 05 July 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

No surprise he picked FSU.

It is a Tallahassee paper.

Panama City, actually, but absolutely in the Seminole Nation

FSU has a branch campus in Panama City

http://www.pc.fsu.edu/

What does that have to do with anything?

[charsibb]

DataBull, on 05 July 2012 - 09:20 PM, said:

bulls phanatic, on 05 July 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

No surprise he picked FSU.

It is a Tallahassee paper.

Panama City, actually, but absolutely in the Seminole Nation

FSU has a branch campus in Panama City

http://www.pc.fsu.edu/

What does that have to do with anything?

It proves we OWN the Lakeland market. Oh wait...