With top-ranked Oklahoma visiting fifth-ranked Florida State, we have our first de facto in season playoff game. Since college football doesn’t have a playoff system, and really a joke of a postseason when you think about it, the regular season becomes single elimination playoffs. Because you need to be undefeated to even have a chance to play for a national title.
The national spotlight will shine on Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday night (7pm CT) as two of the top teams in the nation but heads. EJ Manuel and the No. 5-ranked Florida State Seminoles (2-0) will welcome Landry Jones and the No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) to Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
Manuel and the Seminoles, averaging 509.5 yards of total offense and 48 points per game, have outscored their opponents 96-10 at home thus far. In the Sooners’ season opener, Jones threw for 375 yards on 35 completions while helping Oklahoma to 663 yards of total offense.
Last season, Oklahoma, which holds a 5-1 advantage in the series, took a 47-17 win over Florida State.
OU Synopsis: There’s no question who the power of the Big 12 is these days. Nebraska is gone, Texas A&M is looking to SECede the first chance it gets and Texas is still a couple years away from being TEXAS! They do have that Longhorn Network, which makes them the team in the conference with the biggest gun, but only the Oklahoma Sooners are strong enough to contend for a national title. They have an elite NFL prospect quarterback in Jones; explosive skill position guys; and about as much overall balance and depth as you’ll find on any roster in the nation.
No one questions the offense, it is exciting, fun to watch and high scoring. WR Ryan Broyles is electric. On defense, Although the LBing is formidable the DL isn’t exactly scary, and the secondary is breaking in new people. If 2011 is another year of missed opportunities and disappointing near misses, it’ll be because of defensive breakdowns and/or special teams gaffes. It won’t be because of the offense!
And you heard about Oklahoma defecting with Oklahoma State to the Pac-12 right?
For the Full OU season preview go here
Florida State Synopsis: I have to be honest, I believe the main theme of this Florida State Seminoles season will be more like 1991 or ’92, or some of those mid 90s teams that just missed than the 1993 or 1999 national championship seasons. When I look at this roster, and focus in on class standing, I think 2012 is their year to win it all. So hopefully the Mayan calendar is wrong with its late December apocalypse, because that would fall a few weeks ahead of the title game.
Former ‘Noles legend Danny Kanell seems to agree with me.
People are pretty sold on the defense and special teams, so it’s up to a WR1 to step up, also the running game looked bad in the spring. Then again spring football is kind of…meaningless at times. It’s hard to gauge much from the first two weeks, considering who they’ve played. OU waxed them last year, and FSU hasn’t won at Death Valley since 2001. Losing either of those could trigger some bad karma for the year.
By the way, if you’re wondering what happened to the original FSU Cowgirls, here’s a good “where are they now?” with close to 50 photos.
For the Full FSU season preview go here
Prediction to be taken with an entire truckload of salt, not a grain of salt: OU 28, FSU 21 (2010-11 prediction record 22-10)
It’ll be much closer than last year, and FSU has narrowed the talent gap, and they have the home field advantage this season. FSU hasn’t really played anyone, and Oklahoma has an extra week to prepare for this. Advantage Sooners. The game will be decided big on big, strength vs. strength: FSU defense vs. OU offense.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site that generates millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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