And so the season officially begins. After facing easy matchups the first couple weeks, both the Florida State Seminoles (#5) and Oklahoma Sooners (#1) enter this week with perfect records. This is the first big test for both teams, and this week’s results could go a long way toward determining both team’s final standings in the BCS.
For our full game preview and analysis, see Daniel Russell’s work. Here’s a brief snippet:
So what should the Seminoles be worried about? This team is certainly an upgrade over last years 10-win team with an improved defense at the helm of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops’ little brother Mark Stoops. But if the competition was only between Oklahoma’s offense and Florida State’s defense, this conversation would be moot. The Sooners would likely win. They have an incredible running game, a solid core of receivers, and a talented quarterback.
In the meantime, we have seen FSU quarterback E.J. Manuel target 12 different receivers a game and a running game that fell all over itself. Then again, they weren’t even trying; Florida State has been hiding their hand. The first two games against Louisiana-Monroe and Charleston Southern were negligible, we haven’t seen anything yet. Then again, we haven’t seen Oklahoma either.
Matchup: #5 Florida State Seminoles vs. #1 Oklahoma Sooners
Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Coverage: ABC
Staff Prediction: Florida State 24, Oklahoma 21 (the spread is three points, but in favor of Oklahoma)
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