Sports Forums offering Online Sportsbook Forums - Sports Betting - Free Picks - Live Odds - Online Sportsbook Reviews - Sports Articles - Fantasy Sports - Live Lines - Sports News - Handicapping Tips

College Football Preview: Florida Gators at Florida State Seminoles

November 25, 2006

The fourth-ranked Florida Gators are still in contention for the BCS Championship Game, and they must knock off the Florida State Seminoles on the road this weekend to maintain their lofty position. Florida will attempt to beat its in-state rival for the third straight time, a feat the program last accomplished 20 years ago. The Gators enter this weekend's action with a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SEC play.

*** CHECK THE ODDS FOR THE FLORIDA VS FLORIDA STATE GAME AT VIP SPORTSBOOK ***

They will face Arkansas for the league championship, and they may end up in the national title game if they can knock off both the Seminoles and the Razorbacks. Last weekend, Florida took a break from conference action to post a 62-0 victory over a grossly overmatched Western Carolina squad. As for Florida State, it is out of contention for the ACC title, and fans of the program are not used to five- loss campaigns. The Seminoles had lost three of their last four games heading into last weekend's clash with Western Michigan, and that tilt resulted in a closer-than-expected 28-20 victory. Florida rolled to a 34-7 victory over Florida State last season, and the Gators own a 29-19-2 advantage in the all- time series.

Florida was able to march up and down the field against Western Carolina last weekend as expected. The Gators totaled 582 yards, 282 of which came on the ground. DeShawn Wynn, the club's top tailback, carried the ball only four times in the blowout, but two of those attempts resulted in touchdowns. Chris Leak completed 9-of-12 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Tim Tebow connected on 10-of-12 throws for 200 yards and two scores. Tebow also had a pair of rushing touchdowns in the clash, as both quarterbacks showed their tremendous ability. Riley Cooper was the best of the wideouts, as all three of his catches resulted in touchdowns. Florida is averaging just a fraction under 400 ypg of total offense, and it has been able to run and throw the ball effectively. Leak has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,257 yards and 19 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. As for Tebow, he has connected on 67.7 percent of his throws with four touchdowns and one interception. As a runner, Tebow has racked up 396 yards and seven scores while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

*** SEE ALL THE PROPS OFFERED FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS VS FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES GAME AT VIP SPORTSBOOK ***

 

Western Carolina was no match for the outstanding Florida defense last weekend. The Gators surrendered only 59 total yards on 40 plays, perhaps the most dominant effort we have seen in college football all season. Still, it is important to remember that Florida State poses a much greater threat than a non-Division I-A team like WCU. Florida is 11th nationally in total defense, as it is yielding only 268.0 total ypg. Even more impressive is the fact that the Gators are surrendering 12.1 ppg to pace fifth among I-A clubs in scoring defense. They are also fifth in rushing defense, as foes have only been able to pound out 71.8 ypg on the ground. Earl Everett leads Florida with 69 total tackles, as he has 12 more stops than his closest teammate. As for Derrick Harvey, he has eight sacks to his credit.

In Florida State's eight-point victory over Western Michigan last week, Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford split time under center. Lee was the more effective of the two quarterbacks, as he completed 9-of-13 passes for 144 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Greg Carr finished with only two catches, but both went for touchdowns. As for the ground attack, Lorenzo Booker carried the ball 21 times for 80 yards. FSU has not been nearly as explosive offensively this season as it has been in years past. The club is averaging 26.1 ppg and 329.9 total ypg, despite the fact that the running game is producing a mere 100.4 ypg. Booker was one of the top recruits coming out of high school four years ago, so much so that a press conference was held and broadcast nationally when he chose Florida State. Considering that he has rushed for 464 yards with two touchdowns in 11 games, Booker has to be considered a bit of a disappointment.

While the Florida State defense did surrender a pair of touchdowns to Western Michigan, both scores came on short drives that covered 31 and 43 yards. The Seminoles were outstanding against the run, yielding only 33 yards on 30 attempts. They registered three sacks totaling 30 yards in losses, and while WMU did earn 229 passing yards in the clash, it took the Broncos 50 pass attempts to reach that mark. While Florida State has endured a difficult season, the defense has been fairly solid overall. The Seminoles are surrendering 19.1 ppg and 269.0 total ypg, and they have managed to limit their foes to 82.2 rushing ypg on 2.6 yard per attempt. On a down note, they have only come up with 15 takeaways, a low figure for an attacking Florida State defense. Buster Davis is the star of the unit, as he has made 96 total tackles, 30 more than his closest teammate. Lawrence Timmons has been tremendous as well, as he has totaled 18 TFLs.

*** THINK FLORIDA STATE CAN WIN OUTRIGHT? BET IT AT VIP SPORTSBOOK ***

 

The Gators have a legitimate chance of playing for the national championship if they can beat the Seminoles and win the SEC title. The 'Noles will not go quietly, but the Gators are the better team and will win in a dogfight.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida 23, Florida State 17 

-- SportsNetwork

For more FREE picks and FREE contests, you should visit our popular posting forums below...

http://www.eog.com/forums/