FSU/CU musings from a Yarborough fan

A few apparent things from this game:

1. Ponder is still a warrior. Obviously it was his worst game of the year. But the kid played a collision sport with what was probably broken ribs, which owed to the clear lack of zip many of his deep passes displayed.  He missed all meaningful practice time and game time preparation this week also. He stuck his right shoulder on the line (unfortunately) to ensure his team didn't give up an easy six.  And Clemson has a heck of a secondary, probably the best we face all year. Given all these factors he still actually had a heck of a game going until the 4th quarter meltdown. Our O is in very capable and tough hands next year.

2. Mickey is a true Seminole. If you wonder why MA seems to get a pass so many times when coach bashing goes down on TN, look no further than his interview ESPN showed during the game. This is a man who endured a tragedy that would destroy many two years ago, but he felt obligated to keep his commitments to FSU (and Bobby) in spite of heart rending adversity. His defenses have steadily digressed since that moment, and his heart has been fixated on his family and grandchildren, not FSU sports. One could only wish he could have quietly hung the coaching cleats up then instead of enduring a football year that must add even more to his emotional turmoil.

3. I like the Prowler defense. It doesn't especially work, but with the talent/coaching level of this current D NOTHING will really work this year as far as stopping offenses goes. At least we are seeing something, anything different than our base D with 0 man or cover 1.  It didn't seem like there was a Clemson WR 20 yards behind our D every play, so at least that was an improvement.

4. Hopefully JT stays healthy. I love his running style and the physical play of our line as of late, and maybe the curse of Warrick Dunn, (FSU RB breaking 1,000 yard mark) will be broken next year. Or maybe not.....

5. It needs to be done by someone with far greater video editing prowess than me (Matt DNole?), but I would love to see a higlight/lowlight put together of our secondary mishaps, slipups, and breakdowns this year alone. My only request is that you put a continuous loop of "Yakkety Sax" as the background music, and of  course a healthy dose of Korey Mangum's magnificent slide tackling of blades of grass this past game.

6. Nigel Bradham is the only LB we have on this team that likes to run into people.

7. I don't now how announcers can't discern this by now, but how come every QB becomes a "phenom" and "finally turns the corner" for the rest of his career against FSU's D? Kye Parker is probably not going to be a great college QB (maybe a good one though). Neither is BJ Daniels, or the NC State QB or any other QB who shreds our D for crazy yards this year. Jeff Bowden could have caught a TD pass against this D and I could have thrown it to him.

8. All purpose yardage is overrated in my opinion. This doesn't take away from CJ Spiller's beastliness as a RB and receiver, but three average kick returns and a virtual nobody already has almost 100 APY.

9. I don't know what the average Clemson fan feels about this, but I don't see Dabo Swinney doing anything other than what Tommy Bowden did. Seven to nine wins and a bowl game loss. The guy does seem passionate about his program and players, but he also seems like goofy caricature of a movie HS coach.

10. Can't wait for next year, when BB brings in the entire coaching staff of the No 1 ranked D-2 North Alabama Bollweevils! Go Noles!

P.S.

Craig Yarborough makes Jody Allen look like a good coach.

The shortest distance between two points is not a straight line, it's a Craig Yarborough speed rush.

Craig Yarborough splits double teams with his mohawk.

Tim Tebow once tried to run over Craig Yarborough. The imperative words there are once and tried.