TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Music City Bowl Capsule

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

FLORIDA STATE (7-5, 4-4 ACC) VS. KENTUCKY (7-5, 4-4 SEC)

KICKOFF: 4 p.m.; LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. TV/RADIO: ESPN/WHBO, 1470 AM THE LINE: Kentucky by 9 1/2

KEEP AN EYE ON

FSU - The Noles could be in trouble defensively with nine regulars suspended for their involvement in an academic cheating scandal that has captured national attention. Starting ends Alex Boston and Everette Brown will play nearly every snap because of a lack of depth, and freshman LB Kendall Smith will make his first career start in place of Dekoda Watson.

Kentucky - If there is one player the Noles are worried about most, it's Kentucky QB Andre Woodson, who led the SEC with 3,351 passing yards and 36 TDs. "He can hurt you with his arm, and he can hurt you with his legs," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I honestly believe he is the quarterback of the future."

KEY STAT

FSU - The Noles are without more than 20 scholarship players for various reasons, the majority of them suspended because of the academic cheating.

Kentucky - FSU is a bowl regular, making its 26th consecutive bowl trip under Bowden. However, UK is seeking back-to-back bowl wins for the first time in 55 years.

INJURY UPDATE

FSU - WR Richard Goodman (foot), FB Marcus Sims (ankle), LB Toddrick Verdell (foot), DB Mister Alexander (knee), out.

Kentucky - WR Keenan Burton (knee), probable; RB Derrick Locke (ribs), doubtful.

AT STAKE

FSU - For FSU to avoid another 7-6 season - and have tangible evidence that all the coaching changes made a difference on the field - the Noles must win without several key players.

Kentucky - Coach Rich Brooks could use another bowl victory to show Wildcats fans that the program truly is one on the rise, even in the ultra-competitive SEC.

KEY MATCHUPS

When FSU has the ball - The good news for the Noles is that all of their key performers on offense - QB Drew Weatherford, RB Antone Smith and WRs De'Cody Fagg, Greg Carr and Preston Parker - are playing. Parker's versatility, a weapon the Noles began to utilize late in the season, will be key for FSU to win.

When Kentucky has the ball - With FSU's defensive line missing five key players, Andre Woodson should have plenty of time to throw. That could cause the Noles a lot of problems, especially in the second half when fatigue likely will become a problem because of a lack of depth. Kentucky TE Jacob Tamme could be in for a big day as one of Woodson's favorite receivers.

PREDICTION

What makes this game interesting is trying to figure out how FSU will play with so many key players missing. Kentucky is a dangerous offensive team and should score a lot of points. FSU doesn't want to get into a shootout, but to win, the Noles will probably need to throw more than normal and hope Drew Weatherford is at his sharpest like in last season's Emerald Bowl victory over UCLA. Regardless, hard to believe FSU's depleted defense can keep up with Woodson and Co.

Score: Kentucky 33, FSU 21

Scott Carter

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT