Sports

Colleges

FSU for the fans

By Brian Landman
Published August 31, 2007

---

ADVERTISEMENT

For the fans

COACH: Bobby Bowden.

STAFF: Mickey Andrews (associate head coach/defensive coordinator/secondary); Chuck Amato (executive head coach/linebackers); Odell Haggins (defensive tackles); Jody Allen (defensive ends/special teams coordinator); Jimbo Fisher (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks); Rick Trickett (offensive line); Lawrence Dawsey (wide receivers); Dexter Carter (running backs); John Lilly (tight ends/recruiting coordinator); Todd Stroud (strength and conditioning); Bob LaCavita (director of player personnel); Chris St. John (graduate assistant); Jason Woodman (graduate assistant).

CONFERENCE/DIVISION: ACC, Atlantic Division

CONFERENCE TITLES: 1992-2000, 2002-03, 2005

NATIONAL TITLES: 1993, 1999

RADIO: WHBO-1470 AM

WEB SITE: www.seminoles.com

2007 schedule

Monday at Clemson 8

Sept. 8 UAB 5

Sept. 15 at Colorado 10

Sept. 29 vs. Alabama, TBA Jacksonville

Oct. 6 N.C. State TBA

Oct. 11 at Wake Forest 7:30

Oct. 20 Miami TBA

Oct. 27 Duke TBA

Nov. 3 at Boston College TBA

Nov. 10 at Virginia Tech TBA

Nov. 17 Maryland TBA

Nov. 24 at Florida TBA

Dec. 1 ACC championship TBA game, Jacksonville

3 games to watch

MONDAY, AT CLEMSON: The Bowden family has long tired of this father-son showdown, so what did everyone agree to? Playing it as the opener on Labor Day. This can set the tone, good or bad, for both Papa Bowden, who's looking for a revival, and Tommy, who might be looking for survival.

NOV. 3, AT BOSTON COLLEGE: The division title, or at least the division lead, could be at stake. FSU's win here two years ago, albeit in September, proved to be the difference. Last year, not so much. Weather could be a factor for FSU.

NOV. 10, AT VIRGINIA TECH: The Seminoles play a second straight tough league road game, this one against the preseason ACC favorites in Blacksburg, a place they haven't been since 1989. Bowden is 12-0 against the Hokies at FSU.

3 key stats to watch

RUSHING YARDS

The Seminoles averaged 96.5 yards rushing, a woeful 103rd nationally last year, after averaging 94.0 the year before. If they don't improve that markedly, they won't make up much ground on the national powers.

POINTS ALLOWED

Were it not for Jeff Bowden's struggling offense, folks might have grumbled about the defense. Yes, there were a ton of injuries at almost every spot, but FSU gave up 20 or more points in nine of the last 11 games.

TURNOVER MARGIN

FSU turned the ball over 31 times (16 INTs, 15 fumbles), while the defense came up with 24 takeaways (12 interceptions, 12 fumbles). That kind of ratio doesn't often lead to wins, let alone championships.

2006 results (7-6)

at Miami 13-10 W

Troy 24-17 W

Clemson 27-20 L

Rice 55-7 W

at N.C. State 24-20 L

at Duke 51-24 W

Boston College 24-19 L

at Maryland 27-24 L

Virginia 33-0 W

Wake Forest 30-0 L

Western Michigan 28-20 W

Florida 21-14 L

Emerald Bowl

UCLA 44-27 W

Doak Campbell Stadium

CAPACITY: 82,300

TICKETS: Season tickets for home games are still available at $215. Single-game tickets are available for UAB ($35 for adults, $17 for youths), North Carolina State ($45 and $23), Duke ($35 and $17) and Maryland ($45 and $11). Tickets are left for just one road game, Wake Forest ($40). For information or to purchase tickets, go to www.seminoles.com.

PARKING: Fans can park at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and pay $3 for a round-trip pass on a shuttle; the service begins an hour before kickoff and runs until an hour after the game. Residents who live on the southwest side of the stadium also offer parking at various rates.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-75 to I-10. Go west on I-10 to Exit 31. Go west on Highway 90 (Tennessee Street) to Monroe Street. Turn left and go south to Gaines Street. Turn right and head south to the stadium.

Brian Landman, Times staff writer

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:21:12]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]