Colleges

Florida State-Alabama scouting report

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2007

FSU (2-1) vs. No. 22 Alabama (3-1), Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, 5 p.m.

Bobby Bowden has always loved Alabama and has always wanted to face the Crimson Tide as a head coach. But given the way his team, especially his offense, has played, he might prefer a proverbial cupcake instead. "They're just a real solid football team," he said. Under first-year coach Nick Saban, the Tide has apparently bought into winning the fourth quarter; it scored 10 consecutive points in the final 4:22 to beat Arkansas 41-38 two weeks ago and then scored 10 points in the last 6:30 to force overtime against Georgia before losing 26-23. "They're playing with a lot of confidence right now and they're playing mighty good," said FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, a former star at Alabama. TB Terry Grant is running the ball well (120.75 yards a game, 15th nationally, and five TDs), although the Seminoles are 12th nationally against the run (74.7 yards). QB John Parker Wilson has been efficient and at times dazzling; he threw for a career-best 327 yards and four TDs against Arkansas and will be starting for the 18th consecutive game. Defensively, the Tide plays a 3-4 and, as Bowden says, will "blitz you to death." Not good for the Seminoles, who have had trouble at times protecting QB Drew Weatherford. He has been sacked eight times and has had to throw a lot of balls away to avoid sacks, which has shackled the offense. Said Bowden: "We haven't put it together. Once we put it together, we'll be pretty doggone good."

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 18:43:55]