Florida State Seminoles December 29th, 2011 4:30 CT, ESPN at Champs Sports Bowl
Head Coach – Jimbo Fisher
Career Record – 18-8
- 18-8 in two seasons at Florida State (2010 – 2011).
2011 Season (8-4)
| Opponent | W/L | FS | OPP |
| Louisiana Monroe | W | 34 | 0 |
| Charleston Southern | W | 62 | 10 |
| Oklahoma | L | 13 | 23 |
| at Clemson | L | 30 | 35 |
| at Wake Forest | L | 30 | 35 |
| at Duke | W | 41 | 16 |
| Maryland | W | 41 | 16 |
| North Carolina State | W | 34 | 0 |
| at Boston College | W | 38 | 7 |
| Miami | W | 23 | 19 |
| Virginia | L | 13 | 14 |
| at Florida | W | 21 | 7 |
| CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL | |||
| Notre Dame | X | XX | XX |
SERIES FACTS
The Seminoles lead the series 4-2.
STRENGTHS
- Scoring Defense – The Noles are ranked 34th nationally overall in Points Against giving up an average of 15.2 per game this season. Besides having two shutout games, they had two other games where they only allowed 7 points and four games of less than 20 points.
- Pass Rush Defense – Florida State is very aggressive on defense and finished the regular season ninth nationally with 37 sacks. Defensive End leaders Brandon Jenkins has seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss while Bjoern Werner has six sacks and ten tackles for losses.
- Solid Kicking Game – Junior placekicker Dustin Hopkins is 20 of 25 on his field goal attempts this season. That 80% mark includes 9/9 between 20-29 yards out, 5/7 between 30-39 yards away, and 5/6 between 40-49 yards out. Punter Shawn Powell is averaging 47.0 on 49 punts.
WEAKNESSES
- Offensive Line – Florida State is expected to start four true freshmen on the offensive line. Injuries to starters and veterans has taken its toll and the Noles have no choice but to go with the youth movement. Coach Fisher says the kids are ready and excited for their chance.
- Injuries and Arrests – Besides the aforementioned offensive line dilemma, it is quite possible as many as eight true freshman may see extensive action for the Seminoles. Besides injuries, the Noles have had some late season arrests that are playing havoc with their lineups.
- Inconsistent Quarterback Play – E.J. Manuel, a dual threat QB with a powerful arm, simply has not delivered as expected. Not yet anyway, N.D. seems to bring out the best in QB’s over the years though. Backup Clint Trickett has not stood out either. The OL woes haven’t helped.
GAME ANALYSIS
Notre Dame is due! However, the intangibles highly favor the Seminoles. Playing almost in their backyard, Florida State is the higher ranked team and stands 4-2 versus the Fighting Irish overall. The late season injury to Jonas Gray has hurt. The Irish faithful are split on the choice for QB. If Tommy Rees is ineffective, expect Andrew Hendrix to see extensive playing time. The Irish have once again failed to meet expectations in the big games this season. It’s time that changes!
Coach Brian Kelly is where he has always wanted to be, on the big stage with a big team. Unfortunately not the BCS show that we all want, but nevertheless still a big game. A Florida team in its own backyard. For the first time in its 22 year history the game is sold out. Tickets sold out three days after going on sale. The Irish need to get Michael Floyd the ball. You know Florida State is going to blanket him with everything they have. But c’mon Kelly, you’re a coach, get the ball to him!!!
PREDICTION
Things are almost exclusively pointing to the Seminoles, except for the youth on the offensive line. It would be an awesome recruiting tool if the kids from Florida on the Notre Dame defense, Lynch and Nix, would be show stoppers in this game.
NOTRE DAME 27
FLORIDA STATE 24
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