Florida State-Virginia Tech scouting report

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

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Florida State (6-3, 3-3 ACC) at No. 11 Virginia Tech (7-2, 4-1), 3:30

Coach Bobby Bowden is going for win No. 300 at FSU, which would make him just the second coach to win that many at one school in major college football history. Joe Paterno is the other. If history means anything, you have to like his chances. He's 15-0 against the Hokies (three of those wins came while at West Virginia) and Tech coach Frank Beamer is 0-7 against FSU; the Hokies have lost 12 straight to FSU. But the Hokies have a lot to play for; they still control their fate in the ACC's Coastal Division. Offensively, Beamer is coyly not announcing whether junior Sean Glennon, a drop-back passer, or dual-threat freshman Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback. His team's strength, however, is its defense, led by linebacker Xavier Adibi and cornerback Brandon Flowers. Tech allows an average of just 14.33 points (fourth in Division I-A) and 300.33 yards (11th). FSU's offense has been improving with a more confident Drew Weatherford back at quarterback and his line working better together. Beamer's special teams again offer big-play potential with Eddie Royal returning kicks and punts. Interestingly, FSU's special teams have been even more special than Tech's in recent meetings. See Willie Reid's punt return for a touchdown in 2005 and don't forget Peter Warrick's punt return for a score and a blocked punt for a TD in the 2000 Sugar Bowl.