Florida Rips Florida State's Defense Worse Than It Did Troy or Florida International
by Bud Elliott on Nov 29, 2009 3:31 PM EST
in FSU Football
54 comments
Going into the game against the Gators, Florida State fans knew they would face a tough task. Reasonable fans expected a blowout. They knew that their defense was awful and that the offense, while the ACC's best since expansion, would likely struggle missing 4 starters. 'Nole fans saw their blowout and more. They saw UF put up its best offensive performance of the year. It was better than the Gators could manage against Troy and even better than they had against Florida International.
No, UF didn't score their most points on the season, but points are largely a product of field position, and that involves offense, defense, and special teams. UF gained 13% more yards per snap against Florida State than they did against Florida International. Think about that! 9.25 yards per offensive snap for the Gators. It is an incomprehensible figure.
And what's worse, is that UF didn't even try. They executed an extremely vanilla game plan. UF ran nothing even remotely complicated. Everything Florida ran would have been studied and repped by an opposing defense preparing to face the Gators. After this performance, one has to seriously wonder what Florida State's defensive coaches were doing. If not for the class of Florida coach Urban Meyer, who took a knee at about midfield in the 2nd quarter with roughly a minute and 3 timeouts left, this game could have been much worse. Multiple times, UF ran the same play on back to back occasions. It was perhaps the Gator's simplest game plan in years. To add insult to injury, their greatest fear against their supposed rival, seemed to be injury as opposed to the rival itself. Florida often used the entire play clock before they snapped the ball, shortening the game. It worked. Without having to worry about the opposing defense, UF drained the play clock, ensuring fewer plays and thus fewer opportunities for injury.
As for Florida State's offense, it was not a good performance. But when you evaluate the performance of one team, you must consider the opponent as well. And when you look at UF's defense on the season, you can't help but be blown away. Florida State's offensive performance was the 3rd best by any team against the Gators on the season. As you'll see, only three teams managed more than 4.5 yards per snap of the football. Florida State was one of those teams.
When you consider that Florida State had a freshman quarterback (E.J. Manuel) replacing its excellent Junior signal-caller (Christian Ponder), and was also missing 3 other upperclassmen starters, including All-American Guard Rodney Hudson, Senior Tight End Caz Piurowski, and Senior wide receiver Richard Goodman, Florida State's offense actually performed better than you should have expected.
So why didn't the 'Noles score more? Field position and a lack of defensive or special teams scores seems to be the most obvious answer. Mississippi State scored two defensive touchdowns. UF's defense has allowed only 7 touchdowns all year. No team topped the 20 point margin against Florida's defense. What you saw on that field was a truly elite defense, playing at home. The other reason was the complete lack of opportunities. FSU had only 58 plays with which to work. Only Arkansas (20), Georgia (17), and South Carolina (14) scored more offensive points than the 'Noles (10). And considering FSU also had a missed field goal and an asinine decision by head coach Bobby Bowden to kick a field goal from UF's 2 yard line, down 30-0, Florida State fans really shouldn't have realistically hoped for more points.
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9.25 yards per play?!
Just shakes head
Anything short of a completely new defensive staff next season is unacceptable
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by Jonathan Loesche on Nov 29, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions
I though you had something juicey!
And what was our YPP before they removed their starters?
I know Georgie’s game wasn’t competative…but Arkansas’ was
Waiting on lul to say we are just giving Jimbo a pass
We all can agree that the team as a whole did not perform well enough to win. But the young talent on offense gave more hope for the future than the defense. Hopefully the new staff can pound home the fundamentals to turn our D around. There were plenty of plays were if the first player wraps up we get them off the field.
Freakin' Noles losing to the freakin' Gaturds, and now the freakin' Fins losing to the freakin' Bills, I'm going to go into freakin' hibernation for the next freakin' month.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
currently
98th in scoring defense, 109th in rushing defense, 108th in total defense. 113th in passing efficiency defense.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 29, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions
What if you mine that data a bit more?
For instance, looking solely at the first half YPP defensively and offensively? Our lone TD came against their 2nd teamers. The first half to me is more indicative of UF’s best versus FSU’s best. That 4.8 YPP is due largely to our mid-3rd and 4th quarter drives. For reference, look at how late Tebow was still in the game (as a reference point for when all 2nd teamers come in for UF). Tebow was still in the game with 8:00 left in the 4th against UGA up 31-17. He stayed in the whole time versus Miss St., Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, and even Vanderbilt. They let up BIG TIME on us. Heck, probably to see if they could try to save Bobby’s job and guarantee future beatdowns.
But UF's 1st team defense wasn't missing any starters... FSU's offense was missing 4...
But yes I do agree
Even if FSU's defense had better talent this year
The refs were not going to let Tebow be stopped. I saw on one third down an FSU defender was about to get him from behind before he got away, but that defender was pulled down by his jersey by a different UF player. I guess the Gator offense can do anything to protect Tebow. The rules are different for them. Meanwhile that elite Gator deffense was mugging the FSU receivers before the balls were arriving.
Its comical to me that people even remotely think this had anything to do with the outcome of the game
They could have beaten us by 40 if they wanted to, without a problem.
365 days, until I change my ways.
When the rules are seperate for the two teams
then yes I think it has some bearing on the game. Would the Noles have won? No, but I am pointing out I think it could have been closer. Their dominance is largely due to SEC refs this year and in some other games they should have lost.
I am very glad FSUn pointed out that...
Meyer was actually taking it extremely easy on us. I’m not here to say that he was doing it out of pitty. The more obvious answer is that, as was referenced, he was saving players and shortening the game. Their guys realized how F-ing shitty our D was and decided to run as basic an O as possible and just shredded us. The reason I am being redundant here, is we had some posters on the “Breaking News” thread saying our D was not as bad as expected. I thought they were MUCH worse than we expected – and we all expected total embarrassment. They were that bad.
Also, for all the Greg Reid lovers, please realize that the kid is electric with the ball in his hands, more so than anyone else on our team. However, he completely sucked on D this year. He had 3 HUGE plays on D, but had WAY more plays that were atrocious. He’s out of position ALL the time and can’t tackle worth an F. These are correctable COACHING things, so hopefully our new DC will start with some basic tackling drills for him and the rest of the D, besides Bradham, that can’t tackle worth an Fin addition to a modern-day scheme.
Should that not work for Greg, I am all for a move to O. He clearly needs the ball in his hands, and if he adds value on the D side of the ball, then ST’s can be that time when he gets the ball. However, if he can’t be a better defender, move him to offense and cut him loose.
Lastly, FrankD, I feel you buddy. This was our Fins chance to set-up a showdown next week with the Pats – a game I am going to. Now I want to sell my f-ing ticket and hope for next year. Again.
For the last few years, every time the Noles lost on Sat, the Fins seem to lose on Sunday. I will still go to the rest of the games though.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
So funny that you say that!
I have been going through that with my Wife for the last few years that she has caught on and if (actually when) FSU loses on a Saturday, she will not watch the Fins game in the same room as me on a Sunday because she knows the outcome. To compound the situation, I’m hungover from Saturday, so I’m already in a horrible mood and then the Fins completely implode. Makes for a terrible day. My Wife is truly a Saint!!!
One last thing Frank, and I’ll leave this alone because I know this is an FSU site. Why in the F does our OC call for PA fakes at every snap in the last 2 minutes of the 1/2 or the game? They are fooling NO ONE, only make the play take longer to develop, which allows the DB’s that ARE NOT biting on the fake to get set, and the pass rush to get to Henne. Seems completely illogical to me.
Yea I agree. Overall though I think Henning has done a decent job.
But like Bobby he is old (67?) and this might be his last season (speculation only on my part). I would like to see some young blood on the offensive staff.
But since this is a FSU site, did you know Dan Henning has been a FSU coach on 2 different occasions. In 1968 and 1969 under coach Bill Peterson, he was the QB’s and receivers coach. Then in 1970 he became off coor and WR coach also under coach Bill. Then he left and in 1974 he came back for one year as the off. coor., QB, and WR coach. I think he was fired(?) after a 1-10 season under Darrell Mudra, who was then fired the next season and replaced by Bobby Bowden.
There, we satisfied the FSU minimum requirement with that little tidbit.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
Agree on all accounts. Henning does a brilliant job at getting the talent he has on roster on the field.
I did know that about Henning, and the reason I did was because I read somewhere that is how he and Parcells became such close friends – Parcells coached with FSU in the early 70’s at the same time, LB’s I believe. Don James, Joe Gibbs, and Mac Brown also coached at FSU. There are other heavy hitters I am not recalling right now, but just wanted to name a few because there was some weirdo saying that FSU NEVER had a program before Bowden. Yes, he did resurrect us from almost the elimination of the football program, but there were great coaches before him, great coaches during his reign, and there will be great coaches after him.
Agreed. We will never know whether Bobby really made FSU what it is today.
We are now #3 in the state in terms of NC’s won. Meanwhile the other 2 have won more with at least a half dozen head coaches mixed in.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
I couldn't help but laugh when I read this
Reasonable fans expected a blowout.
I was definitely drinking too much kool-aid this week.
uncensored, are there any good sites out there that have good statistical data? I’m talking YPP, FEI ratings and such.
you would think
but then allen obviously can’t evaluate players so probably thinks he is the best we have. Reid, thompson, givens are all good to decent KRs so they, of course, weren’t out there. Of course, this hurts PRobs status (not that it matters much – he’s a late round pick) b/c they now know he can’t return
This was my post on the Roll Bama Roll site last night (explicit language, sorry)
“Whip Florida’s ass next week!!! I am a die hard Nole fan and this season has been gut wrenching, to say the least. This season sucks so bad, my wife feels sorry for me. I really hope Bowden leaves after this year so we can start over.
I am so fucking tired of hearing the CBS commentators talk about Tebow this and Tebow that. I want you guys to fucking crush them so bad it actually hurts their recruiting class! I want to see Tebow and Spikes sitting on the sideline crying like little bitches because they are in so much pain and are losing so badly. I want Ingram and Richardson to absolutely run through, over, and circles around those cock suckers on defense. I want Cody, McClain, Javy, and everybody else to just smash Tebow all game long, even if it’s a late hit. If you are winning by 60 in the 4th, keep throwing deep and make it worse!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
You guys can’t stand UT, well I absolutely despise, hate, loathe, have to the urge kill every piece of shit GAYTURD fan and player out there. I wish there stadium would implode and the entire city of GAYnesville would just fall through the ground into a giant sink hole.
I can tell you this, every single one of us over at Tomahawk Nation is pulling for Bama next weekend.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL TIDE!!!!"
And needless to say my comment was well received!!
He bleeds Garnet and Gold, She bleeds Crimson and White. AND THEY BOTH HATE ORANGE! GO NOLES!! ROLL TIDE!!
by gonolesrolltide on Nov 29, 2009 5:20 PM EST reply actions
damn straight.
If the current Bama roster is worth the former lions of their blood they will do just what you ask. Run the f’ing score up on them. It would almost give me sexual pleasure to see such a thing. Nay, my best screw would shadow in comparison. Now for reality……..it will be a close, bloody game. I see it coming down to one great stop or one great drive. Tebow will need more than “heart” to get the W.
Lets hope Ingram does better than he did against Auburn
and that if UF does load the box Alabama’s passing game gets going sooner.
Urban showed mercy on us?
The kneel down before the half was a slap in the face because he is a dick. Was it merciful when he let tebow try the “jump pass” in the 4th? The best play of the game was when Tebow ran for 50 yds and was pushing mangums facemask( which doesn’t coincide with his great sportsmanship image because that is ilegal) and pat knocked the ball loose. I’m keeping that game on my dvr to watch that play and the failed “perfect” jump pass over and over. TEBOW is a phony and a douche and that game proved it.
by 3rdandManageable(VicVanBuren) on Nov 29, 2009 5:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yes he absolutely did show mercy
It’s his job to blow us out by as many as possible. It is not his job to stop himself. The jump pass is just another play. Those glasses must be thick.
just another play? maybe you need glasses
1st off the jump pass was called cause urban and tim were trying to insult us and they thought they could get it on our D! But we stopped it. Urban tried to keep scoring but we forced 2 turnovers that could have led to scores. Mercy is running your QB in the 4th who loves putting his head down. He was rubbing it in.fsun cmon. He took a knee because uf had played a perfect half and he didn’t want blemish that. But we all know he is not the saint that u make him out to be. He is always scheming something. And I guarntee Jimbo will remember that when he his head coach
by 3rdandManageable(VicVanBuren) on Nov 29, 2009 7:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Nobody called Urban a saint
But he did show us mercy. He had his own interest at heart in shortening the game and protecting his guys, but he could have beaten us by 50 if he had wanted to. It was blatantly obvious that he didn’t care about running up the score in this game.
>>---l>
Money
We all know we need a complete overhaul of the defensive staff! My question is are we willing to open the coffers and pay top dollar?
3rdandI'mnottypingallthat..
I think you are missing the message. No one was saying Pope Urban looked across the field and saw a pathetic old man with his pathetic team and decided that he would take pitty on us out of the goodness of his heart. His motives were self-serving: he didn’t want any of his players getting hurt against a Pop Warner team when he has the toughest game of the year next week. His taking mercy was a complete insult, but he did indeed take mercy on us. They could have scored double what they did. EASY. How many total deep balls did they throw? How many trick plays? How many times did the play clock say 1 before they snapped it on a running play designed to get a few yards that would get 50? The point is that he realized how bad we sucked and dummed down the gameplan so much that it did actually take mercy on us – for his own reasons.
clever but your a prick who calls himself a fsu fan
Don’t try to be clever making fun of my name. Are you a fan of fsu or florida. If that’s considered mercy then wow! We are horrible on D and have wondered what the noles were thinking. But I don’t insult them POP WARNER? Pathetic team? They did try to score more on us and we forced 2 turnoves 1 from lord tebows fumble and another when brantley was slinging it around. Hello? EASY? I bet you wanted more didn’t you huh? You wanted 50.more
by 3rdandManageable(VicVanBuren) on Nov 29, 2009 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The CBS announcers said we had no business on the same field...
He said we were watching the JV vs the Varsity team… This game should always be competive IMO. We may not have the same funds, or all the advantages, but we should NEVER be labeled as a JV team against UF.
Anyone who wants Bowden back needs to Wake Up!
The problem is that people are afraid of change…Heck, the only coach I’ve ever know at FSU has been Bowden. It will probably seem a little strange. I think the best thing to come out of the HCIW deal is that the fans are able to get “to know” Fisher a little before taking the reigns, and it’s not just some new guy replacing a legend.
JIMBO 2010.
Easy with the personal insults Vic. That is not allowed here and consider yourself warned.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
sadly I remember Spurrier squaking
about moving the FSU game to an earlier date so he wouldn’t have to play a slugfest before the SEC title game. Now we have Urban able to lay up on us not out of pity but because his waterboy wouldn’t take a full ride from us.
Very sad state of affairs that I am glad is about to have the plug pulled on it.
I thought EJ played like crap....
I know it was only his 3rd game and it was on the road in the swamp but…
he lobbed the ball once again and when it wasn’t being lobbed it lacked the speed it needed. His throws have no mustard! I hope they notice and fix that in the films it was rather frustrating to watch but still not as painful as listening to the cbs announcers swoon over tebow. My gawd man…it was like their main wish is to be Tebow’s jock strap. And how many time do we have to hear about the lineman standing still. Do some f’n research before a game you hacks or maybe we should just use it as a gimmick play…
Fanshot worthy
"It boils down to one of two things: It's either the horses or the jockeys. And we think we have some pretty good horses."
Sorry for the delay...
When I first read that it came out like Charlie Browns teacher…..
then I figured out what you guys were talking about and in the process found a whole new section in which to waste time at work with ;)
Thanks!
I would have done it for you, but I thought you deserve all the glory that comes with finding it. HA!
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
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