For 'Canes And 'Noles, Are Appearances Reality?
Oct. 12, 2001
By Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN.com) – Florida State appears to be gaining momentum for their showdown against Miami, and while they remain the favorite in this game, the Hurricanes appear to be losing respect. Although it has nothing to do with this game, the other Florida team — the Gators — have looked unbelievably good, which has dropped Miami off some radar screens. Along with Florida moving up a notch in one of the poles came the doubts about Miami. “How good are the Canes, really?” “Who have they beaten?”
After getting frustrated by the BCS last year, and getting leapfrogged in the polls this year even though they have done nothing but win, the Canes are playing the “no respect” card. Which means Miami will come into this game with a very serious, charged attitude. The frightening thing about Miami is that as good as they’ve looked in the first five games, they have yet to play an emotionally high game. But they will Saturday. Lookout.
On the other side of the field stands Florida State — who hasn’t been beaten on that field in 54 games. Their phones have been ringing all week with former players on the other end of the line reiterating what has been the team slogan all season: “Hold the Rope.” The Seminoles have finished in the Top Five 14 straight years — that record means something to the players, and you better believe they feel the heat from the former players. Especially after the way they played North Carolina — they know they have to do better. The Noles have their collective back to the wall, playing in front of their home crowd with a lot of pride on the line. If they lose this game, chances are the streak of 14 goes out the window.
Florida State will be flying on defense, and they’ve had two weeks to prepare their offense. Chris Rix will be an outstanding QB by the time he leaves FSU, and this game will go a long way in his development as a signal caller. The key will be if Miami’s defense can get pressure on Rix, and how he responds when they do. FSU won’t have success running the football — they will have to throw to be able to move it down the field.
Miami is a great football team — they have as much balance on both sides of the ball as anyone in the country. The Canes feel secure that their defensive front can contain the running game and put pressure on Rix with just the front four — which gives them the rare flexibility of using seven guys in coverage. Miami is one of a few teams that can still rely on getting pressure without having to blitz.
Expect the game to go back and forth, but two things are for sure — both teams will play their best games of the season up to this point, and emotion will play a big part. Tune into GameDay live from Tallahassee for predictions me and the Sunshine Scooter (that’s Corso to the uninitiated.)
No miracles this time
Rick Neuheisel and the Washington Huskies continue to find ways to win close games in the fourth quarter. That’s good, because their only hope this week against UCLA is to keep it close for three quarters and make the fourth quarter magic work again.
It will be very, very tough for the Huskies to keep it close. UCLA’s defense is too experienced and they are playing really well. With starting QB Cody Pickett injured, Taylor Barton will really have to step up.
Washington’s undefeated record hasn’t come free of charge — they are a banged up football team. LB Kai Ellis, All-American TE Jerramy Stevens, and now Pickett. Especially playing on the road, those injuries will catch up to them. Expect the Bruins to win at home.
The battle of the unrecognized quarterbacks
Jason Gesser of Washington State (81-147, 1306 yards, 14 TDs) Randy Fasani (43-80, 721 yards, ten TDs) of Stanford really deserve some props. This will be Washington State’s first true test on the road.
The Cougars have looked very good on both sides of the ball, but Stanford has the ability to score a lot of points — they can make this game a shootout. Both offenses are so good, the key will be the athleticism of the Washington State defense. The Cougs will get the victory in this one — and if you haven’t jumped on yet, it may be too late.
No upset in the Big House
Undefeated Purdue has yet to play a great football game. But a great game is exactly what it will take for the Boilermakers to pull off the upset in Ann Arbor. Brandon Hance is proving that he not only has the ability to throw, but that he also has a weapon when he scrambles. But Michigan’s defense has been sensational — Hance’s magic may run out. The Wolverines front seven has been very active getting after the quarterback, and they will mix up their coverage to try to confuse Hance.
Michigan QB John Navarre gets Chris Perry back this weekend. With Perry, the Wolverines are the most balanced offense in the conference. They will be too tough for Purdue to stop, and because the Wolves won’t allow Hance the big play, expect Michigan to win big at home.
Two different states of mind
Wisconsin was embarrassed by Indiana last weekend 63-32, while Ohio State had an emotional win over Northwestern. Ohio State’s D continues to prove they are for real. They are very athletic, deep, and in my opinion, the Big Ten’s best defensive unit. Ohio State will continue to rely on the defense’s intensity until Steve Bellisari and the OSU offense become more balanced.
Wisconsin is physical enough up front to try and stop Jonathan Wells and Lydell Ross, which means Bellisari will have to throw — a task he will accomplish. With Bellisari throwing for big yards and the OSU defense too athletic to match up with, expect the Buckeyes win big.
The Rex Grossman show continues
Rex Grossman is on a hot streak that won’t be interrupted any time soon. He anticipates as well as any quarterback I’ve seen in a very long time, he has an arm strength and quick release that make him lethal, and I haven’t even mentioned his three extremely talented wide receivers, led by Jabar Gaffney. Auburn’s only hope is to catch a few breaks early and get the crowd into the game. Advice for Auburn’s defense: please, please stay out of man coverage. Anybody who gets into man coverage with Grossman will pay for it dearly. It will be too tough for the Tigers to hold on for four quarters.
Upset Special
Games with the potential for an upset.
South Carolina-Arkansas: Hogs defense will keep this one close. Houston Nutt is undefeated in Little Rock.
Iowa-Michigan State: Hawkeyes defense will force Michigan State’s rotating quarterbacks — they must throw to win.
Washington State-Stanford: Cougars defense will be the difference in this potential shootout.
This is Kirk Herbstreit’s sixth year as an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay. “Quick Snaps” will appear every Monday and Friday during the college football season.
