Murray State
N/A0-0
Florida State
1st ACC11-2
Murray State @ Florida State preview
Doak Campbell Stadium
Optimism is running high in Tallahassee as No. 7 Florida State has
designs on its first ACC championship since 2005. While the Seminoles
were only 9-4 last year, they finished strong and hope to carry that
momentum into this season, which begins Saturday when they host Murray
State. Florida State, which won seven of its final eight games, tied for
second in the ACC's Atlantic Division and defeated Notre Dame 18-14 in
the Champs Sports Bowl. The Seminoles probably were better than their
record indicated as three of the losses came by a combined 11 points.
They do need to stay healthy, however, as injuries cost them a shot at a
BCS Bowl last year. Murray State, a member of the Ohio Valley
Conference, is coming off a 7-4 season and will be gunning for its first
FCS playoff appearance since 2002. The Racers, who meet the Seminoles
for the first time, were picked third in the OVC preseason poll.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (2011: 9-4, 5-3 ACC): Senior quarterback EJ Manuel, who completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, returns from a team that averaged 30 points per game despite enduring a multitude of injuries on offense. Florida State's top four receivers also are back, led by sophomore Rashad Greene, who paced the team last year in receptions (38), receiving yards (596) and touchdowns (seven) despite missing four games. The running game needs to improve after averaging only 112 yards per contest but the return of four starters on the offensive line should boost the Seminoles' ground attack.
ABOUT MURRAY STATE (7-4, 5-3 OVC): Senior quarterback Casey Brockman leads the "Hatch Attack," named for coach Chris Hatcher, who last season had the Racers knocking on the door for their first postseason berth in nearly a decade. Brockman passed for 3,276 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and likes to spread the wealth as Murray State had eight receivers with at least 23 receptions. The Racers must figure out a way to replace the production of running back Mike Harris, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 24 TDs the last two seasons.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Florida State finished second in the FBS against the run last season, yielding only 82.7 yards per game. Nine starters return on defense.
2. The Seminoles are the only ACC team to crack the preseason top 10 and the only top 10 team not to win at least 10 games last year.
3. Florida State senior Greg Reid, one of the top return men in the country, was dismissed by coach Jimbo Fisher for violating team rules. He transferred to Valdosta State, but tore his ACL in the final preseason scrimmage and is out for the season.
PREDICTION: Florida State 49, Murray State 7
TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (2011: 9-4, 5-3 ACC): Senior quarterback EJ Manuel, who completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, returns from a team that averaged 30 points per game despite enduring a multitude of injuries on offense. Florida State's top four receivers also are back, led by sophomore Rashad Greene, who paced the team last year in receptions (38), receiving yards (596) and touchdowns (seven) despite missing four games. The running game needs to improve after averaging only 112 yards per contest but the return of four starters on the offensive line should boost the Seminoles' ground attack.
ABOUT MURRAY STATE (7-4, 5-3 OVC): Senior quarterback Casey Brockman leads the "Hatch Attack," named for coach Chris Hatcher, who last season had the Racers knocking on the door for their first postseason berth in nearly a decade. Brockman passed for 3,276 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and likes to spread the wealth as Murray State had eight receivers with at least 23 receptions. The Racers must figure out a way to replace the production of running back Mike Harris, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 24 TDs the last two seasons.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Florida State finished second in the FBS against the run last season, yielding only 82.7 yards per game. Nine starters return on defense.
2. The Seminoles are the only ACC team to crack the preseason top 10 and the only top 10 team not to win at least 10 games last year.
3. Florida State senior Greg Reid, one of the top return men in the country, was dismissed by coach Jimbo Fisher for violating team rules. He transferred to Valdosta State, but tore his ACL in the final preseason scrimmage and is out for the season.
PREDICTION: Florida State 49, Murray State 7