| Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of college game
previews in which PFW contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum identifies key games for the
upcoming weekend. Buchsbaum provides a scouting report on the key players, compares the
opponents at various positions and then predicts a final score.Georgia Tech
at Florida State, Sept. 11
Most people have picked Florida State to win the ACC crown and Georgia Tech to finished
second. Thus, if they are correct, this game could determine the conference crown.
Under George O’Leary, Tech has come all the way back to where it was under Bobby
Ross and is a potential top-20 team. However, it still is not in Florida State’s
league. FSU probably has the best athletes and team speed in the country, and Tech is not
talented or fast enough to keep up.
Tech’s one hope is that Seminole QB Chris Weinke starts throwing a bushel of
interceptions as he did in last year’s North Carolina State game. However, that is
unlikely, because since then, he has attempted 250 passes and had just one intercepted.
In little Joe Hamilton, Tech feels as though it has an All-America-type quarterback
with many of the characteristics of former FSU All-American and Heisman Trophy winner
Charlie Ward. If Hamilton can engineer an upset of the Seminoles, he will become a top
candidate for the Heisman.
Quarterbacks — Weinke was Florida State’s top recruit in 1990 and
spent four days in preseason camp with the ’Noles before signing a lucrative baseball
pact. Baseball never worked out, and now at age 27, he is a junior quarterback. Weinke is
your big, strong, pro-sized and pro-style drop-back passer who can throw the ball well. He
is not especially mobile and does not have a great arm. He seems to underthrow a lot of
deep passes and is not that accurate as a deep thrower. A tremendous competitor and team
leader, Hamilton’s intangibles are his greatest asset. A four-year starter who has
improved every year, he must get and stay hot for Tech to have a chance. Slight edge
to Tech
Running backs — Florida State’s Travis Minor is a big-time talent who
could fill a Warrick Dunn role if the ’Noles give him the ball more often and he
shows he can take a licking and keep on ticking. However, in recent years they have
developed a passing mentality. Hamilton can be murder on the option and likes to run the
ball himself. Last year Tech was a RB-by-committee type of team, but this year they are
hoping last year’s freshman flash Joe Burns can become a premier runner. Phillip
Rogers will never be the back he was expected to be, but he is a good short-yardage runner
who can go over the top. Ed Wilder may be the top pure fullback in the conference. Edge
to FSU
Receivers — Georgia Tech has a tremendous big-play threat in Dez White, who
can run past defenders or run over them. He is built like a running back and plays at
about 210-215 pounds, making him more than a handful for most defensive backs to tackle
after the catch. In Peter Warrick, the ’Noles have the best receiver and quite
possibly the best player in the country. Warrick is a dazzling, acrobatic receiver who
does a great job of getting separation before the catch and making defenders miss after he
has the ball. However, both White and Warrick have the same rap against them. While they
make the great play and the big play, they also have some unforgivable drops due to a lack
of concentration and/or a desire to run before they catch the ball. The difference between
the two teams is that, after White, Tech has nobody else who really scares a defense. On
the other hand the ’Noles have Laveranues Coles, who has run the fastest 40 in school
history, breaking Deion Sanders’ record. He is a really good runner after the catch
and on returns. He also can and has played tailback. Ron Dugans is an excellent possession
type who makes the tough catches inside, yet he is faster than most receivers. Marvin
Minis is FSU’s fourth receiver, but he would be the go-to man on most college teams. Big
edge to FSU
Offensive linemen — Under Bobby Bowden the ’Noles really have never had
many great offensive lines, and this year does not figure to be an exception. This group
is big and solid, but there are no Walter Joneses or Ken Laniers. Tech returns everyone
but its center on the offensive line, but while large, I doubt it has the type of
athleticism it will take to block FSU’s front. Even
Defensive linemen — Florida State has had one great defensive line after
another, and this one is potentially the best it has ever had. Both inside players, Jerry
Johnson and Corey Simon, are legitimate All-America-caliber players if they can stay
healthy. The team’s top three defensive ends — Roland Seymour, Jamal Reynolds
and David Warren — all have the ability to post double-digit sack totals and possess
All-America potential. For Tech the one potential standout is DE Felipe Claybrooks, and he
still must prove he can play the run. Huge edge to FSU
Linebackers — This is the weakest part of FSU’s defense, and it still
must be considered a strong area. Tech needs a big game and a big year from OLB Chris
Edwards, who really came on late last year. Both Edwards and MLB Matt Miller missed spring
practice with injuries. Edge to FSU
Defensive backs — At least one NFL scouting service reportedly has FSU’s
Mario Edwards rated as the best cornerback in the draft and a surefire No. 1 pick. Yet
some people feel he could be FSU’s third-best cornerback behind Tay Cody and Clevan
Thomas. Both safeties, Derrick Gibson and Sean Key, have great speed for safeties but need
to show they have the instincts to go with that speed. Tech’s best defensive back, S
Travares Tillman, is a Florida State-type player, but the jury is out on just about
everyone else back in the secondary. Big edge to FSU
Special teams — FSU’s Sebastian Janikowski is the best long-range
placekicker and kickoff man in the college game, and P Keith Connell is solid. Nobody has
more gifted return men than the Seminoles. Tech may go with freshman kickers. Edge
to FSU
Summary — It would be a monumental upset for Tech to beat Florida State, and
FSU would like nothing more than to blow the Rambling Wreck out as it did last year.
However, if North Carolina State was able to get to FSU last year, an upset is possible.
Prediction — Florida State 38, Georgia Tech 7
To UCLA-Ohio State preview |
