Virginia gets their second real test of the Mike London era Saturday as Florida State comes to town for a Noon kickoff. Early Vegas lines give the edge to the Seminoles as they are about a seven-point favorite.
Florida State’s shiny new coach is Jimbo Fisher who became the head man at FSU after legendary coach Bobby Bowden was forced out by Florida State’s president T.K. Weatherell. According to his new book, Bowden was given two options at the end of the 2009 college football season, neither of which was acceptable to Bowden: One, stay on for one more year as a figure head, an ambassador with no real authority, and two, FSU would not renew his contract (which expired at the end of 2009), essentially firing him. Bowden won two National Championships at FSU, and was 377–129–4 with 12 wins vacated for an academic scandal.
Christian Ponder is the unquestioned team leader at quarterback, and he is backed up one of the top second string QB’s in the country, E.J. Manuel. Manuel, who hails from Virginia Beach, is 6-4 226 pounds. Manuel would be the starter at most schools in the country. Ponder, who earned his B.S. in Finance in 2 1/2 years and also has an MBA, is working towards another graduate degree in sports management and has thrown for over 5,500 yards at Florida State. In three games this season. Ponder has a cannon for an arm, but can also beat you with his legs. He’s rushed for 50 yards in a game four times while at FSU, and his top rushing performance came against Miami where he gained 144 yards in a 41-39 victory.
Virginia’s defense has only been tested once this young football season and that was against USC. Playing two FCS schools makes things a bit difficult for us to know what coach Reid has, but the Wahoos’ defense has been pretty stout so far. Cam Johnson has played very well at defensive end after his move from linebacker. He leads Virginia in tackles (17) and sacks (3.5). Ras-I Dowling missed the first two games of the season, and did return for the VMI game, but looked rusty. If Virginia is going to win this game Ras-I must shake off the cobwebs.
In the first three games, Virginia has outscored their opponents 44-6 in the second half. They are also converting 44% of their third-downs. The Wahoos have had a very balanced attack offensively. They are averaging 431 yards a game offensively.
Look for the Hoos to mix things up defensively. The Hoos have not rushed the quarterback hardly at all with the defensive backs, but keep an eye out Saturday for a whole new blitz package from defensive coach Jim Reid. Virginia has been very physical so far this season, and if they have a chance to beat the favored Seminoles, the physical play must be ratcheted up another notch.
Virginia’s mix at tailback has been very effective so far in 2010. Both Perry Jones and the bruising Keith Payne can move the chains. The tight end position, of limited use so far, will be very important Saturday.
Prediction: Virginia 31 Florida State 30. Go Hoos, beat the Hokies!