Joel Buchsbaum's key college games

Battle between Bowdens could have more at stake than ACC championship

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Oct. 30, 2000

This is not just the "Bowden Bowl" anymore. This also is the biggest game in the Atlantic Coast Conference in recent years and a game that will determine whether Florida State has any chance of defending its national championship. If Clemson wins, the Tigers probably will win the ACC crown and go to a major bowl game. While Florida State has close to 20 seniors NFL scouts are looking at, Clemson has only about six senior prospects, and aside from WR Rod Gardner and FS Robert Carswell, most are considered marginal prospects. However, the Tigers have some very impressive youngsters, a very creative offensive scheme and a great running quarterback in Woodrow Dantzler, who runs like a tailback and drives defenses batty with his improvisational skills. They also may have the best college defensive player in LB Keith Adams, who despite being undersized, has even more sacks than Lawrence Taylor had at North Carolina and makes more tackles and big plays than any player in the country based on playing time.

Quarterbacks — At 5-10 and a fraction, Dantzler does not have the pro scouts excited, but he may have been the best college quarterback and football player in the country for the first half of the season. His improvisational skills are amazing, and there really is no way to prepare for him. He also is a truly amazing runner and was throwing the ball well up until midseason. However, he has regressed as a passer recently, and the Clemson offense was dormant vs. North Carolina until Dantzler hurt his foot and was replaced by freshman Willie Simmons, who threw four TD passes. Florida State’s Chris Weinke has improved, but he still is not a great player. He is a better passer and decision-maker than he was and has improved his mobility, but he still throws costly interceptions and is not a very accurate passer. Edge: Even

Running backs — The Seminoles have become so pass-oriented that it seems as though their offensive linemen have forgotten how to run block, and that obviously has hurt the runners. It seems as though Travis Minor, once billed as the next Warrick Dunn, has not gotten any better since his freshman year and is just a pretty good back. Also, Jeff Chaney has no really special qualities and, like Minor, may be more of a third-down back. Clemson has one of the best and most dangerous backs in the conference in Travis Zachery, who had a really big game to help the Tigers beat North Carolina State. Edge: Clemson

Receivers — Clemson may have the best receiver in the game in Gardner. The only real knock on Gardner is that he is not that fast. However, he is big, athletic and sure-handed, adjusts to the ball well, makes the tough catches, has terrific hands, can run after the catch and will come down with most jump balls. He was very impressive vs. North Carolina, catching three TD passes and at times looking like Randy Moss. Florida State has one senior who is having an All-ACC type of season in Marvin Minnis, who, despite being rail thin, does a great job of going up for the ball and taking it away from the defender. The Seminoles also have a group of youngsters, led by Robert Morgan, Atrews Bell and Anquan Boldin, who could be stars of the future. Edge: Florida State

Offensive linemen — The Seminoles have a huge offensive line, but it seems as though their linemen have forgotten how to really bend their knees, get low and move defenders out in short-yardage and goal-line situations. With Tarlos Thomas (knee) out for the year, Char-ron Dorsey and sophomore Brett Williams will start at tackle and may play more minutes than they are used to since the Seminoles were rotating three tackles most of the year. Dorsey is huge and a little too heavy and soft, but he’s a surprisingly good athlete. If he really started to believe in himself and pushed himself, he could be special. Clemson has a smaller, less talented line that has overachieved but also is helped a lot by the uncertainty Dantzler creates for the defense. Edge: Florida State

Defensive linemen — Florida State has three small but superfast and quick senior defensive ends who have a chance to be top NFL draft picks in the spring. DRE Jamal Reynolds was playing like an All-America candidate until Miami (Fla.) slowed him down. Roland Seymour and David Warren have been sharing time at left end since Seymour came back from major knee surgery. Warren has simply incredible speed and athletic ability but has had a lot of injury problems and is not instinctive. Seymour’s best year may have been his sophomore season. The Seminoles also have three or four sophomore and freshman tackles who look as though they will grow into NFL prospects. NFL scouts are looking at Clemson senior DLs Terry Jolly, Jason Holloman and Terry Bryant, but none are considered top prospects and it would not be a shock if none or just one is drafted. Edge: Florida State

Linebackers — No college linebacker makes more big plays than Clemson’s Adams, who is superquick and instinctive and has a great feel for leverage. However, Florida State’s overall group, led by Tommy Polley, may be even better. Brian Allen, who plays on the strong side, is very strong in his upper body and will surprise with his speed. MLB Bradley Jennings is no slouch either. However, the linear Polley has trouble taking on blocks, and Allen, who is short, often will seem to lose sight of the ball. Edge: Florida State

Defensive backs — Carswell is the leader of Clemson’s secondary and can make big plays, but he may have gotten a little too heavy and no longer seems to have as much range as he had a couple of years ago. Clemson’s young corners were playing very well until the N.C. State game, in which the Wolfpack’s Philip Rivers had a field day throwing against them. The Tigers also struggled at times in the North Carolina game. On paper, Florida State has one of the best and deepest secondaries in the country, but when the Seminoles had to come up big vs. Miami, they could not do it. Derrick Gibson comes pretty close to being the physical prototype of what the NFL wants in a strong safety in terms of size, speed and hitting, but he does not play the deep ball well and lacks some intuitiveness. At cornerback, Tay Cody is having a really good year and has become much more physical. He is sort of a poor man’s Antoine Winfield and lacks height. Clevan Thomas gets beat by the really good receivers because he lacks great catch-up speed and size. Since both FSU corners are short, they will need help vs. Gardner. Edge: Florida State

Special teams — The Seminoles can punt and return kicks, but we are back to the days when every extra point is an adventure and when they have nobody who can be counted on to make a clutch field goal, or perhaps any field goal. Clemson’s kicking game and special teams are better than they were, but neither team has a Sebastian Janikowski kicking for it. Edge: Clemson

Prediction: Florida State 37, Clemson 20

Also see: PFW's College Top 10

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