The agony at Florida State

[INSIDE99]

I can honestly say this is the worst FSU football team since Bobby Bowden's first season of 1976. His worst two seasons could be his first and last.

Some very ugly stats from FSU in the last two games, both loses to teams with freshmen QBs.

Florida State in the last two games:

OFFENSE
56 rushing attempts for 89 yards (1.6 yards per carry) OH MY!

6 of 24 on third down attempts (25% success rate)

1 of 5 on fourth down attempts (20% success rate)

6 turnovers

PENALTIES
16 penalties for 164 yards (twice as many penalty yards as rushing yards)

DEFENSE
Has given up 418 passing yards on 20 receptions (20.9 yards per catch) OH MY!

Has given up 349 yards rushing.

Sack total: 2

So FSU doesn't stop the run, doesn't stop the pass and doesn't pressure the QB. What else is there? Even being called one-dimensional on defense would be a compliment.

It is that bad in Tallahassee. Probably the worst defense in the ACC.

[EvilVodka]

ya, this is the worst Seminole team I've ever seen...

its tiring seeing the offense continue to struggle, after all the supposed improvement of bringing in Jimbo Fisher and Rick Trickket

They've fallen a long ways from the days of Charlie Ward and dropping 50 points on people

On a different note, is there any way Miami and Oklahoma can both lose?

[copycat]

its hard to watch FSU... seems like they've fallen so far so fast. Hate to see Bobby go like this, but I think it's time.

What would you do to fix things?

[ZOOMBAG]

I can honestly say this is the worst FSU football team since Bobby Bowden's first season of 1976. His worst two seasons could be his first and last.

Some very ugly stats from FSU in the last two games, both loses to teams with freshmen QBs.

Florida State in the last two games:

OFFENSE
56 rushing attempts for 89 yards (1.6 yards per carry) OH MY!

6 of 24 on third down attempts (25% success rate)

1 of 5 on fourth down attempts (20% success rate)

6 turnovers

PENALTIES
16 penalties for 164 yards (twice as many penalty yards as rushing yards)

DEFENSE
Has given up 418 passing yards on 20 receptions (20.9 yards per catch) OH MY!

Has given up 349 yards rushing.

Sack total: 2

So FSU doesn't stop the run, doesn't stop the pass and doesn't pressure the QB. What else is there? Even being called one-dimensional on defense would be a compliment.

It is that bad in Tallahassee. Probably the worst defense in the ACC.

How'd they play so damned good at BYU????

[HellYeahHokie]

How'd they play so damned good at BYU????

No bars in Provo for them to get loaded at?

[INSIDE99]

Fixing this ship won't be a short term project. I'm never one to jump on the "Fire the coach" wagon. I can't say bringing in a new coaching staff will quick fix FSU into winning 10 games again. But at the same time Bowden and his current long term staff has been good for 4-5 losses in each of the last nine years. Maybe more this season. It won't get any better. But I believe Bobby has earned the right to step down on his own as oppossed to being forced. So you just suck it up and take it. He has earned that right.

But as a prime example...the defense is giving up 21 yards per catch. I don't care how poor the talent is on the field, even the worst Conference USA defenses won't give up 21 yards per catch. That is a complete coaching disaster. This defense is so bad...lacking talent and coaching improvement.

Hiring Jeff Bowden was a huge mistake. Making Jimbo Fisher the head coach in waiting was just as bad of a move. I think he may be the first head coach ever fired before he even got the job. Oh wait, forgot about George O'Leary.

What would I change? A completely new defensive scheme and strategy...even at this midway point. It can't get any worse defensively.

FSU doesn't stress using a tight end, running the football between the tackles, a run blocking OL, blitzing, changing coverage. They rely on receivers, scat backs, pass protection, moving the chains via the pass, using DEs to apply pressure (which they no longer have), a base 4-3 defense with loose man coverage so as to not complicate it's scheme for the players.

What kills me about recruiting rankings is that what sites like Rivals do is add up stars based on size, speed, strength and athleticism. They don't measure mental capacities and the ability to understand the game. I can assure you that if FSU recruiting was measured by some type of wonderlick score, they would finish near the bottom. Successful coaches like Frank Beamer and Chris Peterson could care less about how other people regard recruits. They know how to find the guy that fits into their system. Some high school seniors may look magnificent against their high school compeition, but how do they fare once the people around them are just as fast and just as big? I don't follow recruiting so much anymore. My recruiting rankings begin when these high school players have played on the college field for one year.

[INSIDE99]

In response to how they crushed BYU...FSU jumped on the scoreboard so fast that BYU never had to the chance to see how bad the FSU defense really was. By the time they realized they could score points too, it was already like 30-7. And BYU got one dimensional playing catch up.

[jeff4bucks]

what has Jimbo Fisher done to earn the head coach job after Bobby steps down?

[Blue Hen]

I-99, is it true that Bobby actually thought FSU was playing Troy the week before and during the Jacksonville State game ?

[copycat]

Just gotta hope for one more bad week from FSU...

GT @ FSU this week. Will be a fun game no matter what, these two teams just can't not keep it close.

[INSIDE99]

Jimbo was made the head coach in waiting so he would not take a head coaching job somewhere else.

I never heard that one about Bobby thinking they were playing Troy. But I know that when Bobby gets interviewed walking off the field at halftime that he says things that makes you wonder what game he was watching. Like yesterday when he said, "we keep dropping passes". They did not have one single drop in the first half.

[GatorGrad]

Click here to see Bobby Bowden's pre-game speech against Boston College last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIn17ufE7ZM

I mean wow...just wow. I feel bad for him. The players are basically falling asleep and he is reading off of note cards.

[INSIDE99]

Well the heat is on Bobby more than ever in his career. From what I know the school trustees are really going to push for this to be his last season. However, I am, and have been, disgusted with the entire FSU administration for years. Not just the coaching ranks. And so this is how I see this unfolding, the complete and utter worst way possible.

Bobby will finish this 2009 season. Then step down afterwards. If he is going to step down, FSU has to make that statement now so he can have his swan song on the field...for the public, fans, former and present players, etc. to pay him last respects. I don't care how much certain people hate Bobby, he deserves to go out knowing that was his last game. Do not be surprised if he doesn't get it. Think about that one. Hardcore if true.

I can also say for once, that if he does not step down in 2009 that 2010 will definitely be his last year. And the people that know me also know I have never made a prediction on when Bobby would be finished in the last 15 years of being asked. Because I really had no idea. I do now.

[GatorGrad]

Yes, the longest he could go is 2010 because doesn't Jimbo's contract call for a 5M payout if he is not the Head Coach by the 2011 season?

[GatorGrad]

Todd - I have noticed that there has been NO SPAM over the last several weeks. I haven't deleted any spam posts in a while. Did you do anything different to keep it out? Whatever you did...it's working! Thanks.

[Don]

Todd - I have noticed that there has been NO SPAM over the last several weeks. I haven't deleted any spam posts in a while. Did you do anything different to keep it out? Whatever you did...it's working! Thanks.

I was thinking the same thing - but I didn't want to say anything for fear I would jinx the board!:eek:

["14-O" U.]

For a few years now I figured the race to have the most wins is what is keeping Bowden & JoPa around. With the forfeits and JoePa stretching the lead out on the field anyway, that issue is starting to go away. A couple of years ago I thought Penn State would blink first. Now it looks like it might be FSU to make the first coaching change.

JoePa has actually looked much improved this year. I've heard two interviews where he sounded more in tune w/ the team than he has since the 90s. Maybe he had some bad meds. Or maybe he's taking on a lesser role and it's allowing him to focus on far fewer things. Whatever, Penn State is definitely the beneficiary. They could fill JoePa up w/ Formaldehyde and prop him up on a hat rack if he can keep the team playing at this level.

[Hubbs]

How about Tommy Tuberville at FSU? He knows the area he would recruit. He isn't the best coach FSU could get, but he would bring that University back to where it is respected. Tuberville wins the big games. He just loses the "face palm" games EVERY year. I think he would also bring in a good staff. I bet he would get Eddie Gran from UT for sure.

[Hero1957]

How about Tommy Tuberville at FSU? He knows the area he would recruit. He isn't the best coach FSU could get, but he would bring that University back to where it is respected. Tuberville wins the big games. He just loses the "face palm" games EVERY year. I think he would also bring in a good staff. I bet he would get Eddie Gran from UT for sure.

Jimbo has to be the coach as part of the contract, otherwise they are forced to pay him 5Million.

Do you think TT still wants to coach?

[Bucs90]

What sucks is this too is all about the $$$. The administration wants that big-time BCS money. They like all other BCS schools have become obsessed with that big payday. And they KNOW that for FSU to get back into that big $$$ they must out-recruit Urban Meyer, an all-of-a-sudden upstart Miami, NOW South Florida, as well as all the other Southeastern powers that are dipping into Florida for talent.

And they KNOW that EVERY one of those schools have coaches telling those 17 year old high school kids "You know, son, Bowden is gone in a year or two, you have no clue who you will end up playing for, and even then it takes 1-2 years to restructure a program. You'll end up being a senior on a rebuilding team and never win anything."

And you know....they are right. Anyone who signs with FSU this spring knows they won't be playing under Bowden as a senior. They know they'll have to go through a staff change, which sucks, even if it is in-house. And unlike Paterno and PSU, that change will end up being under bad circumstances.

This is really a sad situation for Bowden, and an embarrassing situation for FSU. They know they want the BCS $$, they know they can't get it so long as he is there b/c they can't outrecruit anyone right now, and they know if they force him out they'll look like assholes.

Hmmmmm........if only BCS school administrations cared more about loyalty, respect and integrity than $$$, then they could suffer a few down years to allow Bowden to go out with grace on his own terms. But, that don't pay.

[Bucs90]

How about Tommy Tuberville at FSU? He knows the area he would recruit. He isn't the best coach FSU could get, but he would bring that University back to where it is respected. Tuberville wins the big games. He just loses the "face palm" games EVERY year. I think he would also bring in a good staff. I bet he would get Eddie Gran from UT for sure.

How bout Jon Gruden? He's currently unemployed and is a popular face in Florida. Maybe could lure the Kiffins away from UT once Lane gets fired. Monty at least, he could bring the Tampa 2 to FSU and cause havoc.

Or, the obvious, Jim Leavitt. My God, what he's done at USF....they were 1-AA 10 years ago. Now they are beating FSU. Just a couple lesser mentioned names.

[GatorGrad]

How about Tommy Tuberville at FSU? He knows the area he would recruit. He isn't the best coach FSU could get, but he would bring that University back to where it is respected. Tuberville wins the big games. He just loses the "face palm" games EVERY year. I think he would also bring in a good staff. I bet he would get Eddie Gran from UT for sure.

I've been saying for the last two years that Tubs would be a perfect fit at FSU. I view him as a younger Bobby Bowden, he knows the area, will recruit well, will coach well, and would bring in a good staff. Unfortunately for FSU, I think they are "stuck" with Jimbo Fisher...unless they want to pay him 5M.

[ZOOMBAG]

How bout Jon Gruden? He's currently unemployed and is a popular face in Florida. Maybe could lure the Kiffins away from UT once Lane gets fired. Monty at least, he could bring the Tampa 2 to FSU and cause havoc.

Or, the obvious, Jim Leavitt. My God, what he's done at USF....they were 1-AA 10 years ago. Now they are beating FSU. Just a couple lesser mentioned names.

Old man Kiffan is getting old. Only reason he's still coaching is to help his kid. Without his kid, he's hitting the golf course and the lake...

[ZOOMBAG]

I've been saying for the last two years that Tubs would be a perfect fit at FSU. I view him as a younger Bobby Bowden, he knows the area, will recruit well, will coach well, and would bring in a good staff. Unfortunately for FSU, I think they are "stuck" with Jimbo Fisher...unless they want to pay him 5M.

Chump change.....$5M at FSU is one home game revenue....

[GatorGrad]

Chump change.....$5M at FSU is one home game revenue....

Not exactly chump change for them at this point. They are still paying former OC Jeff Bowden who was forced out/paid off by boosters to walk away, would be paying Bobby Bowden to walk away a year early, would be paying Jimbo 5M, and of course the new coach would probably be paid at least 2M a year. Jimbo Fisher is going to be their next head coach.

EDIT: Latest word is that Bowden just rejected a severance package of $6 million. The drama continues...

[HellYeahHokie]

... And they KNOW that for FSU to get back into that big $$$ they must out-recruit Urban Meyer, an all-of-a-sudden upstart Miami, NOW South Florida, as well as all the other Southeastern powers that are dipping into Florida for talent.
.

upstart Miami?

[INSIDE99]

Todd - I have noticed that there has been NO SPAM over the last several weeks. I haven't deleted any spam posts in a while. Did you do anything different to keep it out? Whatever you did...it's working! Thanks.

Yes, I made it so when someone registers, they have to wait for me to personally approve them before they can post. It's easy to pick a spambot request because they either use a foreign IP address from China or Russian State...or they always ask for a scrambled username like dtkk8881liua.

[INSIDE99]

Well, FSU made Jimbo HWIC for several reasons actually. One was to keep him from going else where. Two, they wanted recruits to know that if Bobby was not going to be there that Jimbo would be. It's not a bad concept for those reasons, but now that I have seen Jimbo all these years I don't want him calling the shots. The reasons are probably for another post but it mostly has to do with X's and O's (1.6 yards per carry the last two games).

If I had my wish, Bobby would announce this January that 2010 is his last year swan song and Jimbo takes a head coahing job somewhere else. That is the only way to open the application process. Naming other coaches this far in advance to take over would be stupid (Harbaugh) so it makes no sense to go there.

[GatorGrad]

Yes, I made it so when someone registers, they have to wait for me to personally approve them before they can post. It's easy to pick a spambot request because they either use a foreign IP address from China or Russian State...or they always ask for a scrambled username like dtkk8881liua.

Great news...thanks for doing this!

[ZOOMBAG]

upstart Miami?

Yea, upstart is appropriate after the down time they've had.

[HellYeahHokie]

Not in the context of his post about recruiting and talent. Miami's problem hasn't been talent, but coaching. It's not like all of the sudden, other Florida schools have to start worrying about Miami taking players they used to get. Miami's always been a talent draw since the Jimmy Johnson days.