Everything that happened here tonight, you read it first at tomahawknation.com. It’s a scary thought, and I wished your analysis during the offseason was wrong, but it was right on target.

This one hurts. What can you do? The season has just begun and the Noles will bounce back but it really makes you wonder what could happen with a running attack like GT. We’re in for some lumps this year on defense. Help is not on the way.

White was inconsistent. Jenkins and Yarborough didn’t rush the passer well.

I think I might have tried to put a Bradham or Watson at DE on some of those 3rd and and longs.

Who missed that tackle on the 3rd and 15 screen in the 4th Q?

that 34 points should have been enough to win.

I feel very good about Hopkins and our field goal unit. The missed extra point I’ll just chalk up to freshman jitters.

Good solid showing by the offense, they played good enough to win and so did the FG unit. Everyone else played scary-bad.

What was your thoughts on the last minute of the game? My issues were clock management and play selection. Thoughts?

I’m just a bit bothered that we couldn’t score from the 2 yard line on 3 downs.

Don’t be a Brett Favre, Bobby. Do us the favor!

the real deal (so far). Just from the player introductions it sounded like the Miami oline dropped a bunch of weight. They were incredibly improved, much more athletic and just smarter football players. Having said that. Cane’s fans might want to hold off on crowning Jacory the football messiah. I’m not saying that he can’t be. He could throw for 3000+ damn yards this year and take Miami to a 10+ win season. But I would hold off on a full assessment until Miami plays a team, any team, that had at least a decent defense. FSU mine as well of had a team of Oompa Loompas on pass rush. Seriously. In fact, that is my new name for the FSU dline! The Oompa Loompa squad! So not looking forward to the BYU game…honestly not looking forward to any game.

Great game tonight. I am an OU fan, but I have always had an admiration for FSU and have always tuned in to Miami vs. FSU. One of the best games I have ever seen period. If the teams were higher ranked this would be one of the all time games in college football lore. Seriously what a game.

Whipple was the reason for the victory. You can see just how much of a difference he made tonight. That was really impressive play calling and game plan. Harris looks like a legit QB, but their running backs look mediocre. Cooper thinks that by looking like Willis McGahee he will be him. Not the case. Good back not a great one. James is only at Miami because of his relation to the Edge.

The reason I don’t think they are back is because defensively they look awful. Both teams were bad defensively but in my opinion Miami looked worse. Sure they stopped you guys at the end, that was more of FSU being at the two wear they had to throw it. Their linebackers and d-line are non existent. I don’t know what the guy at the Miami blog on SBN is smoking but Sean Spence is a mediocre player.

Also, Shannon makes Larry Coker look like Vince Lombardi. All coaches have weakness, but one weakness that no good coach should have is poor game management. His game management is atrocious, from the horrific clock fiascos, to the squib kicks and his team being in a state of panic the whole game. The guy just doesn’t seem like he has any confidence. He is always nervous and panicky, every time they score he is frantically yelling to get off the field. Relax coach. .

Whipple is the guy for Miami not Shannon. He (Shannon) can recruit, but he can’t coach. Great hire, that was the difference in the game tonight.

As for FSU, you guys are small. It seem liked every guy on the defense was barely six feet. You just can’ have that. Same thing with the running backs and wide outs, their is just a bunch of scat backs and jitter backs out there. That was big difference between FSU and Miami tonight. Miami looked like they had players while FSU didn’t.

I don’t follow FSU football too much, but it seemed like the running backs are focused so much on ball protection that it takes away from them running effectively. It looks like they always have to have two hands on the ball and it takes away from the big plays.

I think you guys are making too big of a deal of the clock management at the end. I thought FSU did it pretty well, it was the play calling that was more of a problem in my opinion. Look at Texas last year they scored too early against Tech and it cost them. It was handled correctly in my opinion.

I thought the play call offensively was pretty good until the last couple of plays. I didn’t like the option play down the goal line and I thought you should have run a quick slant on the final play which would have left time for one final play on fourth down and then go do the roll out.

Also, their still should have been one second left after the incompletion on third down. You can clearly see the there was one second left.

Tough loss, but hang in there. Look what happened to my team. With the exception of Florida you guys seriously can beat every team on your schedule. Nobody, except G-Tech can play offense in the ACC. BYU should not be problem for you guys. If you can block ‘em (which we couldn’t) you will win the game

Ponder is a bonafide QB. Teams will NOT be able to sell out against the run.
O line was pretty darn good at pass pro
WR need to step up a bit
Reid is for real
Mangum is not. Lets get some of the young guys some reps here
Hopkins can kick

So what is the catch? Will he have academic issues or legal issues? There is no way we’re keeping a talent like that eligible LOL

I say read my comment above (Jacory Harris is) and give me your thoughts. I’m certainly not going to say that Harris is not good. Not after what he did to the Noles. But I think he might be brought back to reality this year. Not to say that he will be bad…just that he wont be “Jacory Harris, the Roman Football God of Lightening Passes.” The canes offense is obviously good. And Whipple is good and yata yata. But I also just think that the FSU defense is that bad. Look forward to seeing how he does the rest of the year.

Where did they get beat ST and Def. Where did we lost this game, Coaching. Who on Def played good The True Fr. Greg Reid, yup thats about it. How on ST played good. Easterling, Reed and Reid. Thats it. So what does this mean Coaches need to leave FSU and retire. CTC, MA, Jody Allen, and BB. BB did only one thing right He had the balls to go for it a few times on 4 and short. MA and co need to grow some.

was the last time FSU scored 34 points and lost? I heard it was 1984. Kinda puts it into historical perspective.

Also, Bobby’s post game interview, he said that Ponders fumble was the turning point of the game. He said because we were about to score, and it was a “14 point” swing. I am wondering if Bobby noticed the 21 point “swing” in the 4th quater by Miami?

Marcus White was also interviewed, and he said that that long 3rd and 15 series, he was not on the field. This puzzles me.

I noticed we subbed a lot in the 4th quarter. We have no depth and it showed to a tune of 21 points in the 4th. Should we not have our best pass rusher in on a 3rd down? Up until that 3rd down conversion, Miami had only converted 1 third down. Is that because they had so many 2nd and shorts?

Please talk me back from the ledge.

It was very evident to me that this may be the worse D in quite some time. They are extremely poorly coached. Missed tackles all over the place and constantly out of position to boot. And they were physically pushed around and just plain out manned. You completely nailed it about Micky Andrews – the game has passed him by.

Special teams were just as horrid. They too missed tackles and were out of position.

Ponder looked good. O line has improved but we still have no running attack.

Miami was the more physical team and that’s the team that won. Football is a physical game – duuhhh!

Overall – a very very poorly coached team.

because with a defensive line that horrendous we can make any bum QB look like Tom Brady and lost to just about anybody.

-Biggest play(s) of the game? Ponder’s INT before the half. If we get a FG or TD there, game is over that final drive. Other huge plays? Cooper’s kickoff return when we were up 23-14. Watson’s missed tackle on the sack, which I believe was on 3rd down was a backbreaker.

-I am very happy with Ponder. He basically kept FSU in the game.

-Fire Mickey Andrews, Chuck Amato, JODY ALLEN!, and Bobby Bowden. It’s clear now to everyone.

-Very happy with Jimbo this game. He had some excellent playcalls.

-Greg Reid. Wow. Not much can be said. Thought he was one of the best players on both teams. Big time players make big time plays. Clearly lived up to his 5* ranking. Again, if not for Jimbo, we would have watched him dominate in Stillwater or Atlanta.

-Electric atmosphere. This game WILL NOT hurt our recruiting. I couldn’t have asked for a better atmosphere. Just wished we came out with a W.

-Do not blame Fortson at all. Though he has to make that catch, this game cleary goes on the defense. We needed ONE stop the 4th quarter and we win. ONE STOP.

-Miami didn’t test Patrick Robinson much. Reid needs to start.

-The scariest part of this game to me? Miami killed us with their pro style offense. Mickey is now awful vs the spread and pro style. Not good for this season.

-Dustin Hopkins’ missed PAT meant NOTHING in the game. We made it up with the two point conversion. I have no idea why the announcers were harping on that. I liked his FG accuracy.

-Players I was impressed with on defense – PRob, Reid, Jaccobi, and Nigel Bradham. Watson would be here had he not missed that sack.

-Is it just me or did Nigel seem much more agile this year? Looks very fast. He was step for step with Cooper when he dipped out of the backfield.

-That was one of the worst feelings I have ever had after a football game. I don’t know how you can write this after a loss, FSUncensored.

-Pass protection was trememdous. I will take one sack any today vs a front like Miami has.

-We MUST finish well in recruiting.

-3 years ago, FSU folds after this game. Now, with Jimbo, I have faith that FSU will not. FSU will steal a game we have no business winning because of Ponder and Jimbo.

-Miami will not be fun to play these next couple of years. Bobby and Co. need to leave RIGHT NOW.

-Will it take UF putting 70 on FSU to make them realize? Probably.

-When Miami has the ball, 1st and 10, they are going to PA or rollout and throw across the middle. I’m very glad we adjusted to this.

-Only thing I liked about Mickey’s defense? Third down blitz packages. Mickey taking tips from the Steelers and Ravens, not bad.

-If any good comes out of this game, at least everyone realizes that Mickey, Bobby, and the crew are freakin’ hot garbage out there. I see better defensive coaching at the high school level.

-Will our receivers please make a tough catch. I counted at least two drops inside the five where the ball hit there hands. Yes, we need those. Shades of Robert Morgan, Oklahoma 2000.

-All in all, a tough loss. I couldn’t sleep last night.

FSU can say, “You can make a difference and would have a great shot at starting. Help us return.”

The OL played fantastic. Nice to see an FSU QB remain upright most the night and have time to throw.

The lack of pass rush will haunt us all year at this rate. Harris has some nice mobility, but rarely used it, nor did he need to. He had as much time as Ponder and continually went downfield as he had the time and the coverage got busted more times than not.

Special teams. Ugh. We returned well, didn’t think we kicked all that great (about average) and our coverage units were just hideous.

Ponder played well. I was nervous with all the short comeback/curl routes, was waiting for one to get jumped. But he played well and took a few shots.

Greg Reid. Thank you for coming to FSU.

I thought Fortson was gonna have a big redemption moment, but instead its more disappointment. Was it a low throw? yep. Should he have caught it? yep.

Im encouraged on the O side and discouraged on the D side. Overall, a loss is a loss.

Next up, J’ville State and Perrilloux. Then world beaters BYU

For so many years FSU’s defense was the strength of the team. Now it seems it is the offense. I had an uneasy feeling about the game from the very first possesion. UM marched down and scored with no trouble. There were questions about the D going in to this game and nothing has been answered. If anything there are more questions.

Bowden and the defensive staff just are not quality D-1 coaches and their mistakes, both tonight and over the last 4 years, buried the ’Noles tonight.

I’ve yet to see a bad D-I coach with two national titles and a dynasty to his credit.

You can question the clock management (I certainly did) at the end of the game, and the playcalling, but calling Bobby Bowden a ‘bad’ coach is an excercise in hyperbole.

It is difficult to take someone’s analysis seriously when they engage in hyperbole of that nature.

TV tuner card for the win! it is 7.69 MB right now but that’s because I started it at 7:30 and set it to stop at 12:30, didn’t want to miss anything. Not HD sorry :( I am going to edit out the commercials and see if I can post it somewhere for any one that is interested. I am hoping to get to it by Wed or Thur. If any one is interested leave a post on the sun sports forums here http://www.sunsportstv.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=133674&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=&vc=1 and when I post it I will PM yall with links

I am sitting in my office at work after pulling all day and all nighter after going to the game and I feel miserable right now. I had to drive back after the game, came home showered and came straight to work…would be feeling a lot better if the Noles pulled that one out in the end.

I knew going in that our defense would be an area of concern but wow, my buddy and I just sat there shaking our heads at how atrocious they were. I have never seen a noles defense look so bad. I knew in the 4th quarter we would not get the big stop we needed and the offense would have to make some amazing heroic effort to win, and they almost did. I am not going to get into how the bungled the chances at the end. Could go on all day about clock management, should have pitched, drops, etc. Yes all would probably have won the game but just like with Sims in the GT game last year it comes down to how badly the D was getting smoked the whole game.

Some good play by the young guys tonight, very promising. Offense looked good aside from the drops. Hopkins was impressive. Could be a long season.

Oh and another thing, I had a few conversations with people this weekend and they seemed like well informed fans, after talking for a bit asked them if they read TN. I all cases they said yes but they were not posters just lurking and reading. Join up guys. Either way great to see others enjoying this amazing site, Thanks again TN

A) Forston made a couple of good catches, but he dropped a few he should have had, and why the last 3 passes to him after Ponder had mixed it up so well all night. Forston kinda disappointed me.

2) FSU’s coaches finally realized the TE is indeed a eligible receiver in CFB (thank you Jimbo). I wish one of the last 3 plays would have gone to Caz.

D) The clock management mismanagement at the end cost us another shot at the win.

5) While Markus White’s int for the TD was nice and appreciated, he sure was out of position for a DE.

L) This is sacrilegious I know but Jacory Harris’s POISE and calmness during the game reminded of Charlie. I AM NOT SAYING HE IS OR WILL BE ANOTHER CHARLIE, and I realize he was playing against a sub par FSU defense, and I realize it’s the first game of the season, and I realize much more and I am not comparing him to Charlie so don’t bother crucifying me. I said his Poise and little stutter steps reminded me of Ward.

8) How about freshmen Hopkins and Reid?

Q) Our offense exposing our defense all preseason was not just the superior offense, it reflected our inferior defense at the same time.

I don’t think we’re giving enough credit to J McDaniel. The kids was playing his heart out when he was in, but he can’t do it alone…

Seriously, guys, great game. My 38-35 prediction was almost dead on.

Both teams’ fans have something to come away happy about. We finally have a QB, a deep recieving corp, and most importantly, an OC. Y’all have you best QB since Weinke, a great reciever in the making (give Fortson time to gain consistency), and a star in the making with Reid.

I was just happy to actually be entertained by a Miami-FSU game again. We’re the talk of the town now. Todd McShay said this morning “Miami and FSU are back in the national conversation”. And our was the best game of week 1. Both offenses looked sharp right out the gate, which is saying something if you watched any other game this weekend. Now, go win the Atlantic and we’ll see you in the ACCCG, hopefully. This was the first step in bringing the ACC to where it was suppose to be when it expanded.

Good luck from here on out, I’ll be pulling for you rest of the way. Please, make Tebow’s last game in the Swamp a loss.

I agree that the game wasn’t lost on the last drive but that shouldn’t shield us from talking about it. The defensive woes have been discussed thoroughly in this thread. One thing that hasn’t that should be is that option call at the end of the game. Jimbo called a great game, but even great coaches makes mistakes.

I believe they were at the right hash, which would make sense to run to the wide-side. However, runs up the left side (outside of a first down run by Ty and a couple of draws by Ponder) were fairly ineffective. Florida State had several nice runs up the right in the fourth quarter. And then to run an option play that we garnered all of maybe 3 total yards off of all night at the goal-line baffeled me. Outside of a bootleg, my pet-peeve at the goal line is when you get further away from it before you get closer to it. It allows for the defense to adjust and make the necessary stop. While that play didn’t cost us as we had 4 or 5 more chances, it didn’t help. Good thread though guys.

First, I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but I have to get it off my chest. That was an absolutely atrocious defensive performance! Honestly, that was some of the worst defensive football I have ever witnessed. Period. Bowden, Andrews, Amato and the entire defensive staff should be utterly mortified and ashamed.

After that performance last night the 7 win prediction seems almost overly-optimistic. Does anybody agree?

Also, big big props to TN for being dead on accurate in your anaylsis of the team. Keep up the great work!

Man it was a long drive back to Pensacola for me last night. The good thing from last night’s game is that even in defeat the press (meaning ESPN and SI) are giving FSU respect finally. Reid and Jacobbi were both impressive and the Cane fan I went to the game with shook his head in disbelief when I told him they both were freshmen. Now on to the long list of negatives.

-Our defense depends solely on getting an insane amount of pressure. But we have no way to do it without sending the house this season and even then we didn’t always get it. That leaves the door open for us to lose to BYU, USF and Clemson.

-When we blitzed players still fly to the ball and miss backs playing past them when they aren’t expecting a run. That leaves the door open for losses to Ga Tech and UF.

-Our running game was completely underwhelming. The ideas I was sitting around that it was because “We are a passing team” like this was still 1998. Between them wanting to never call a run, and the 10 yr old behind me saying our defense just wasn’t “playing all four downs” and was “giving up after 2nd down” it took a lot of self control not to smack a b*tch.

Things aren’t all bad of course, so lets try to look at the half full side a bit. Ponder and the pass pro looked great. Even with the drops we have one of the top 2 WR corps in the entire ACC. With the field position we will get from Reid returning kicks we should be able to keep scoring in the 30s. How many other ACC teams do you see being able to score the way Miami did?

I suggest Mickey’s long awaited dream of being a head coach be fulfilled. Take Allen and Amato with you. Mickey must be head coaching material right, Bobby said he was?

I would love to be the incoming President at FSU. My first move would be pink slip city.

Back to the day when Bobby was adamant that Jeff stay on. What a move that would have been huh? You would be looking at no offense to go with no defense. That would have translated to about Miami 75, FSU zero last night.

But let’s hope Da U is back! We will see how they stack up in the next 3 contests with Georgia Tech and Oklahoma.

I’ve been hoping for y’all to be back, too. You’re only as good as your rivals, IMO. Big deal if you beat a down and out UM. Big deal if we beat a down and out FSU. The season just isn’t the same, I want to beat the best y’all have to offer. I know you want the same from us. I’m not gonna say we’re both back, but we’re a hell of alot closer than we’ve been in a long time.

He will bring more of a pass rush than anyone else we have.

“I still think FSU and UNC will both be 5-1 going into thursday night Oct 22. FSU will beat BYU and South Florida. Those were two top 15 teams last night IMO, but not top 10.

I am sticking with it til they prove me wrong!!!"

http://www.southernpigskin.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/2865/P15/

I firmly believe the ten win season went down the tubes last night but I still say 9 wins are doable. FSU will have to win shoot outs with Georgia Tech and Clemson. They will score big time on our defense.

Besides the much needed improvements in coaching, recruiting, and other changes, we need cupcake games to workout the kinks. Instead of giving into the demands of ESPN, we need to schedule some less intimidating teams to play to open the season. Playing Miami on Labor Day Monday does not help to fill up the stadium, boost the rankings or win recruits.