Joel Buchsbaum's key college game

Florida’s Earnest Graham could be the key in the Sunshine State’s yearly showdown

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Nov. 12, 2001

Gators RB Earnest Graham

A lack of experience and a rash of injuries has killed Florida State this year and are the reasons why for the first time in 15 years, the Seminoles have no shot at winning the national championship. However, if Florida can run the table, and Oklahoma can beat Nebraska, the Gators will have a very good chance of competing for the title.

While all signs point to a big victory for the Gators, there is one way they can be beaten. In almost every game the Gators have lost over the past 10 years, the opposition has taken away their running game and made them one-dimensional. However, when the Gators have a nice run-pass balance, they have been almost unbeatable. In the Gators’ only loss this season, Auburn completely shut down their ground attack. But what makes things tricky is the fact you can’t shut down the Gators’ ground attack by playing eight or nine men in the box. If you do that, QB Rex Grossman and his great receivers will have a field day against you.

Quarterbacks — Grossman is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and the best quarterback the Gators have had under Steve Spurrier, with the possible exception of Danny Wuerffel. His one problem is that he gets too confident in his ability to squeeze the ball into tight spots and in his receivers’ ability to catch any pass that is near them, regardless of how many defenders are on them. Florida State’s Chris Rix can run like a deer and has a strong arm, but he has an alarming propensity for turning the ball over and is more of a thrower than a pure passer right now. However, he is just a redshirt freshman, has great upside potential and has played a lot better in recent weeks.

Running backs — Florida’s Earnest Graham is a very good back but not a great back. He is also the key player in this game. When he runs effectively and does not put the ball on the ground, the Gators are virtually unbeatable and unstoppable. Robert Gillespie often will rotate with Graham, but he is not special, and when Graham was out earlier, the drop-off was very noticeable. FSU has a big, young horse in Greg Jones, who can be special, and lots of speed to complement him. Nick Maddox is an excellent receiver with breakaway speed. The Seminoles must make a commitment to run the ball to have a chance to win this game.

Receivers — In Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell, Florida has the best set of wide receivers in the country. Gaffney has superior talent, but he is a hot dog and taunter who needs to grow up. Caldwell is just a half-notch below Gaffney, whose father, Derrick, was a classy receiver with the Jets during the Wesley Walker era. FSU lost its go-to receiver, Marvin Minnis, to graduation and its returning semi-starter, Robert Morgan, and budding superstar, Anquan Boldin, to injury, but Javon Walker and Talman Gardner are big, big-play receivers who really have started to step up. Atrews Bell is a possession receiver who is more quick than fast. Both clubs play a lot of three-WR offenses, and Florida has an excellent third receiver in Taylor Jacobs.

Offensive linemen — This area is both teams’ Achilles’ heel. Both teams have great size and generally get the whole to exceed the sum total of the parts, but they are not overly athletic, and that lack of athletic ability can be exploited. Florida OT Mike Pearson has not had a great junior year and is not as athletically gifted as Kenyatta Walker, but he is the Gators’ best offensive lineman.

Defensive linemen — Both teams have great speed and athleticism up front, but they are not that big, stout or experienced and are a little vulnerable vs. the run. Florida needs a big-game from its one senior starter, Alex Brown, who can be an awesome edge rusher when he’s at the top of his game. However, Brown is an up-and-down player who gets frustrated if blocked and does not always hustle in pursuit. Florida State has two very gifted sophomore defensive tackles in Darnell Dockett and Jeff Womble and lots of speed on the edge.

Linebackers — The key may be Florida MLB Andra Davis. He played like an All-American against Mississippi State but was almost a non-factor in some other games while playing with a cast on his hand. Davis is a very physical ’backer who can be a real force against the run. When healthy, he may be better than Florida State’s so-called All-American, Bradley Jennings. Jennings is a tackle-to-tackle run stopper who is very physical but limited in coverage and a limited athlete. The Seminoles have plenty of speed and athleticism outside, but they lack size and experience. In time, Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope could grow into special players. They can run, hit and chase but do have problems at the point of attack.

Defensive backs — Florida has a potential All-America cornerback in Lito Sheppard, who also is an excellent punt returner. Florida State has a talented safety who does not always play up to his ability in Chris Hope, but the Seminoles are really down from where they normally are at cornerback. They just can’t let their corners try to cover Gaffney and Caldwell one-on-one.

Special teams — Florida has the more reliable kicker in Jeff Chandler and a top punt-return man in Sheppard.

Prediction: Florida 31, FSU 20

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