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Noles Have Had Hokies' Number

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The streak was supposed to end on that cold December night in Jacksonville two years ago. Virginia Tech was ranked No. 5 in the country and listed as a heavy favorite against Florida State in the inaugural ACC Championship Game.

Of course, then the game started, and it looked like the same old FSU against the same old Virginia Tech.

"It was one of the most memorable games that I've played in since I've been here," FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford said this week.

Weatherford led the Noles to a 27-22 upset and their 12th ACC title, throwing for 225 yards and a touchdown to upstage Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick. Even FSU coach Bobby Bowden had trouble making sense of another victory against Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer, who trails only Bowden and Joe Paterno in wins among active coaches.

"We've got Frank's number," Bowden said that night. "It's funny to me, and it can't last, but it's lasted this far."

Well, this afternoon at Lane Stadium in the schools' first meeting since the 2005 ACC title game, the Noles will try to extend Bowden's formidable winning streak against the Hokies. Since coming to FSU in 1976, Bowden is 12-0 against Virginia Tech and 7-0 in head-to-head meetings with Beamer. Prior to coming to FSU, Bowden was 3-0 against Virginia Tech as West Virginia's coach. The last time Virginia Tech defeated FSU was in 1975, so needless to say, the No. 11-ranked Hokies are due.

But that's not all that concerns Bowden.

"I think they're probably the best team we've played," Bowden said. "It's the best defense we've seen."

The Hokies allow only 14.3 points and 300.3 yards per game, ranking among the national leaders in each category. For FSU's offense, which has awakened the past two weeks with Weatherford back at the controls, Virginia Tech offers as good a challenge as it will face.

But moving the ball isn't FSU's greatest challenge today. It will be whether the Noles can follow up last week's win at No. 2-ranked Boston College, knocking the Eagles from national title contention, with another strong effort against the Hokies. An FSU victory would certainly dent Virginia Tech's bid to advance to the ACC title game.

"We have a conscious thought that we are Florida State and we are back on the rise," said junior linebacker Geno Hayes. "We are trying to get to the point where we were back in the old days."

For that to happen, Weatherford must minimize his mistakes - he hasn't thrown an interception since regaining the starting quarterback job - and the Noles must play with the same kind of focus and confidence they showed at Boston College.

"The defense has to play as a team and be disciplined and have the intensity we had up at BC," said linebacker Dekoda Watson. "For the first time in a while we played 60 minutes - not just the defense, but the offense, too. You see what we can do when we play as a team."

Ask Beamer and the Hokies over the years. They know all too well.

Florida State (6-3, 3-3 ACC) at No. 11 Virginia Tech (7-2, 4-1)

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.; Blacksburg, Va.

TV/RADIO: WFTS, Ch. 28/WHBO, 1470 AM

THE LINE: Virginia Tech by 6 1/2

KEEP AN EYE ON

FSU - Sophomore CB Patrick Robinson is emerging as the Noles' top cover man. Robinson has intercepted a pass in five consecutive games, tying Terrell Buckley's school record set in 1991. If the Hokies throw a lot, look for junior CB Tony Carter to be tested on the opposite side more than Robinson. Carter has three interceptions, but he also has given up several big plays this season.
Virginia Tech - Hokies coach Frank Beamer plans to decide on a starting quarterback around game time, leaving FSU guessing as to whether junior Sean Glennon or freshman Tyrod Taylor will get the nod. Glennon is the bigger of the two, but Taylor is a dual-threat QB who is 5-0 as a starter. He recently was injured, giving Glennon another shot.

AT STAKE

FSU - The Noles are out to show last week's upset victory at No. 2-ranked Boston College was no fluke. If the Noles can knock off the 11th-ranked Hokies, it will mark the first time since 1992 they have defeated ranked teams on the road back-to-back. A victory should also guarantee FSU's return to the Top 25.
Virginia Tech - The Hokies are battling Virginia for the Coastal Division title and a trip to the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville. To keep pace, Virginia Tech needs to beat FSU and Miami in the next two weeks before closing at Virginia on Nov. 24.

KEY STAT

FSU - In FSU's past two games - victories over Duke and Boston College - QB Drew Weatherford has completed 69.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 693 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Virginia Tech - Since the start of the 2000 season, the Hokies lead the nation with 151 interceptions. They are at it again this season, second behind Boston College (18) in the ACC with 15 interceptions, led by CB Victor Harris' four picks.

INJURY UPDATE

FSU - LT Daron Rose (knee), WR Richard Goodman (foot), FB Marcus Sims (ankle), out. LB Rodney Gallon (ankle), questionable.
Virginia Tech - LB Vince Hall (wrist), TE Sam Wheeler (knee), out. WR Eddie Royal (calf), LB Xavier Adibi (ankle), C Ryan Shuman (ankle), questionable.

KEY MATCHUPS

When FSU has the ball - The Hokies have what FSU coach Bobby Bowden believes is the best defense his team has faced this season. Balance is going to be a key when the Noles have the ball, meaning Drew Weatherford can't throw it 50 times and expect to win. RB Antone Smith (645 yards) must find running room against a Virginia Tech front seven anchored by DE Chris Ellis, DT Barry Booker and LB Xavier Adibi.
When Virginia Tech has the ball - If Sean Glennon starts, he'll test FSU more through the air than Tyrod Taylor. But if Taylor starts, the Noles must worry about a player some considered the best dual-threat prep quarterback in the nation last season. And don't forget about RB Brandon Ore, who has been coming on strong after a slow start. Regardless, FSU LBs Geno Hayes, Derek Nicholson and Dekoda Watson can expect a lot of action.

PREDICTION

The Noles have a bit of their swagger back after defeating Boston College - Drew Weatherford is noticeably more confident throwing the ball - but even they admit they're not good enough to overlook anybody, much less the No. 11 team in the country. Still, with Frank Beamer uncertain of a starting quarterback that could impact the Hokies in a negative way. Regardless, Virginia Tech's defense is too good to allow FSU to roll up and down the field, so expect a close game won late by the Noles, most likely thanks to a turnover.

Score: FSU 24, Virginia Tech 22

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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