Both the men's and women's FSU cross country teams won the ACC Championship on Saturday morning. This is a wonderful start for Florida State in the 2010-2011 athletic year. The Seminoles finished with the 5th best athletics program in the nation during the 2009-2010 athletic year, the highest Florida State has ever finished in the annual Director's Cup.
Upsets in the ACC
It was another unpredicted Saturday in the ACC. Boston College managed to pull of it's first win in the ACC this season as it defeated the Clemson Tigers. This loss practically ends the Tigers chances of playing for an ACC championship.
Virginia stunned #22 Miami with a five point victory over the Hurricanes. This was Virginia's first win in the ACC this year and Miami drops to two games behind Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division.
Maryland pulled off a 62-14 blowout over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. This was a huge game for the Terps as it keeps them at 1 loss in the ACC, tied for first with NC State and Florida State.
Duke got a surprising victory over Navy and North Carolina barely defeated FCS opponent William & Mary. Both of these games were non-conference games.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Notes about the defeat
- NC State snapped a three-game losing streak against the 'Noles.
- FSU is now 6-2 overall, 4-1 in the ACC.
- Last season, FSU was 4-4 overall, 2-3 in the ACC after defeating NC State.
- The 'Noles are still in first place in the Atlantic Division, however, NC State now holds the tie-breaker.
- Here's an updated look at the ACC standings:
Florida State 4-1 Virginia Tech 4-0
NC State 3-1 Miami 3-1
Maryland 2-1 Georgia Tech 3-2
Clemson 2-2 North Carolina 2-2
Wake Forest 1-3 Virginia 0-3
Boston College 0-4 Duke 0-4
The Atlantic Division winner plays the Coastal Division winner on December 4th in Charlotte, North Carolina in the ACC championship game.
In order for Florida State to win their division, FSU needs to win it's remaining ACC games against North Carolina, Clemson, and Maryland. The Seminoles must also hope for an NC State loss. The Wolfpack still have to play @Clemson, Wake Forest, @North Carolina, and @Maryland. If the Wolfpack drops one of these games and the Seminoles win-out, FSU will represent the Atlantic Division in Charlotte. Anything can happen in the Atlantic Division these days.
Christian Ponder Interview Following The Game
Christian Ponder warming-up prior to the Wake Forest game in Tallahassee. (Chris Alford)
Heartbreaking loss for Florida State
In a crucial ACC game for the Seminoles, the game came down to the final minute of play. Four yards away from the endzone on second down, Christian Ponder fumbled the ball on a fake hand-off with 48 seconds remaining in the game. NC State recovered the ball, which ended all hopes of a glorious 2-minute drive to win the game. This was a game that had numerous penalties and plenty of sloppy plays. However, it still ended as the most exciting game in the ACC this season thus far.
NC State started off strong with an early touchdown, giving the Wolfpack a 7-0 first quarter lead. But the Seminoles stormed back, scoring 21 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter, giving the 'Noles a 21-7 halftime lead. Ponder had two rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass in the first half of the game.
The second half, however, was won by the Wolfpack. NC State managed to retaliate and score 14 unanswered points to tie the ballgame. A Dustin Hopkins field goal once again put the 'Noles on top, 24-21. Following the field goal, with just over 9 minutes remaining in the game, NC State put together the longest drive of the game. On 4th and 1, on the FSU 1 yard line, NC State coach Tom O'Brien made a gutsy call and elected to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. The move payed off as the Wolfpack managed to convert a passing touchdown with only 2 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the game.
With 2:40 left in the game, the Seminoles were down by four points. Lead by Christian Ponder, the 'Noles marched down the field. Unfortunately, on the 10th play of a 63 yard drive, Christian Ponder fumbled the fake handoff and fumbled away any chance of a last minute victory. A heartbreak defeat indeed.
NC State started off strong with an early touchdown, giving the Wolfpack a 7-0 first quarter lead. But the Seminoles stormed back, scoring 21 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter, giving the 'Noles a 21-7 halftime lead. Ponder had two rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass in the first half of the game.
The second half, however, was won by the Wolfpack. NC State managed to retaliate and score 14 unanswered points to tie the ballgame. A Dustin Hopkins field goal once again put the 'Noles on top, 24-21. Following the field goal, with just over 9 minutes remaining in the game, NC State put together the longest drive of the game. On 4th and 1, on the FSU 1 yard line, NC State coach Tom O'Brien made a gutsy call and elected to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. The move payed off as the Wolfpack managed to convert a passing touchdown with only 2 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the game.
With 2:40 left in the game, the Seminoles were down by four points. Lead by Christian Ponder, the 'Noles marched down the field. Unfortunately, on the 10th play of a 63 yard drive, Christian Ponder fumbled the fake handoff and fumbled away any chance of a last minute victory. A heartbreak defeat indeed.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
FSU-NC State Keys To Victory
Heather Dinich of ESPN.com gives her keys to victory for both Florida State and NC State.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5736547
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5736547
- Photo taken by Chris Alford 9/25/10 FSU vs. WF
Gameday Preview
The N.C. State game tonight is most likely the biggest game in the second half of the season for Florida State. (Miami was the biggest of the first half). Why is it so important?
Here's why:
ACC Atlantic Standings (Conference record only)
Florida State 4-0
NC State 2-1
Maryland 2-1
Clemson 2-2
Wake Forest 1-3
Boston College 0-4
This game could potentially decide who represents the atlantic division in the ACC championship game. A Florida State victory will give the 'Noles a nice lead with only three conference games remaining. However, a NC State victory would mean NC State, Florida State, and Maryland would all have one loss, with Clemson right behind them. Also, NC State would then own the tie-breaker over Florida State due to their head-to-head victory. Therefore, FSU would have to win the rest of their ACC games and hope for the Wolfpack to lose atleast one more game. So this is a huge matchup if the Seminoles want to control their own destiny and play for the ACC championship.
Here's why:
ACC Atlantic Standings (Conference record only)
Florida State 4-0
NC State 2-1
Maryland 2-1
Clemson 2-2
Wake Forest 1-3
Boston College 0-4
This game could potentially decide who represents the atlantic division in the ACC championship game. A Florida State victory will give the 'Noles a nice lead with only three conference games remaining. However, a NC State victory would mean NC State, Florida State, and Maryland would all have one loss, with Clemson right behind them. Also, NC State would then own the tie-breaker over Florida State due to their head-to-head victory. Therefore, FSU would have to win the rest of their ACC games and hope for the Wolfpack to lose atleast one more game. So this is a huge matchup if the Seminoles want to control their own destiny and play for the ACC championship.
Week 9 ACC Predictions
Last week I went 4-1 in predicting ACC games. My season record is now 28-5 (.848). As the final month of college football approaches, predicting will be a little tougher as the games heat up and upsets rise. If I can finish the season with over 85% of my picks correct, I will be very satisfied. Now, here are my week 9 predictions.
Florida State 34 NC State 31
Navy 28 Duke 14
Clemson 28 Boston College 17
Maryland 17 Wake Forest 14
Miami 31 Virgina 14
North Carolina 27 William and Mary 10
Florida State 34 NC State 31
Navy 28 Duke 14
Clemson 28 Boston College 17
Maryland 17 Wake Forest 14
Miami 31 Virgina 14
North Carolina 27 William and Mary 10
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday night games for Florida State
Once again, Florida State will be playing a road thursday night game. Also, once again it'll be at N.C. State. Florida State played in Raleigh on a Thursday night in 2004, 2006, 2008, and now again in 2010. It's become somewhat of a ritual lately for FSU to make thursday night trip to play the Wolfpack. Why is this?
Well, first of all, the contract between ESPN and the ACC is what puts this decision out of the hands of Florida State. ESPN holds a contract with the ACC that allows them to schedule Thursday night ACC games throughout the season. N.C. State happens to be a popular choice to host a Thursday night game each year because their fans seem to appreciate these games a lot and have always had great attendance on Thursday nights. FSU always draws large t.v. audiences so they are a huge boost for ESPN anytime their games are broadcasted. Add those two factors together along with the fact that FSU plays at N.C. State every other year, and it's no wonder why this is the fourth consecutive time these two teams have played a Thursday night game in Raleigh.
So why doesn't Florida State host a Thursday night game?
The last time FSU hosted a Thursday night football game was in 2002 versus Clemson. The university had to cancel classes for two days for "fall break" in order to host this game. Here are the main reasons why a Thursday night game in Tallahassee isn't the best idea.
Well, first of all, the contract between ESPN and the ACC is what puts this decision out of the hands of Florida State. ESPN holds a contract with the ACC that allows them to schedule Thursday night ACC games throughout the season. N.C. State happens to be a popular choice to host a Thursday night game each year because their fans seem to appreciate these games a lot and have always had great attendance on Thursday nights. FSU always draws large t.v. audiences so they are a huge boost for ESPN anytime their games are broadcasted. Add those two factors together along with the fact that FSU plays at N.C. State every other year, and it's no wonder why this is the fourth consecutive time these two teams have played a Thursday night game in Raleigh.
So why doesn't Florida State host a Thursday night game?
The last time FSU hosted a Thursday night football game was in 2002 versus Clemson. The university had to cancel classes for two days for "fall break" in order to host this game. Here are the main reasons why a Thursday night game in Tallahassee isn't the best idea.
- Campus must be shut down. There are classrooms and offices inside the stadium so there is no way those would be able to function on a gameday. Also, all of the parking lots surrounding the stadium are used daily by students and faculty. These spots are also used by boosters on gamedays, therefore, there would be a major parking shortage. This is why the university would be forced to take a "fall break" and cancel classes.
- Traveling. Many FSU fans drive 2-6 hours in order to attend football games so a Thursday night game would not be ideal for them. Most fans would have to take time off of work in order to attend the game. In addition to this, a 7:30 game on a Thursday would lead to horrible traffic throughout Tallahassee. Rush hour traffic is hectic enough, just imagine an additional 40,000 vehicles.
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