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Noles Try To Clinch Winning Record

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - A late-season game between Florida State and Maryland used to have about as much intrigue as another lopsided tilt between Notre Dame and Navy. You knew the outcome before kickoff. All that waited to be plugged in was how many points FSU won by.

Things change.

Like so many other Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, the Terps have closed the gap in recent years, winning two of the last three against FSU. Maryland has improved so much in recent years under Coach Ralph Friedgen that FSU views today's game at Doak Campbell Stadium as a big one, especially with a trip to Florida on the horizon to finish the regular season.

"We need a big win to go down and play those guys," senior receiver De'Cody Fagg said. "Because we know it's tough down there in Gainesville with the crowd."

But there's more at stake for the Noles than getting off the bus at The Swamp next week feeling good about defeating the Terps. FSU (6-4) wants to avoid another 6-6 finish and month-long wait to see if it can avoid a losing season for the first time since 1976, Coach Bobby Bowden's first year in Tallahassee.

The Noles needed a victory against UCLA in the Emerald Bowl last season to extend their streak of winning seasons to 30. If FSU can defeat Maryland, the Noles clinch a winning season.

"Maryland's fighting to get a bowl," Bowden said. "They're not bowl eligible yet, so they need to win, they'll have good motivation. We'll have good motivation just because we're home and for personal pride."

FSU's final two regular-season games are also important in terms of public opinion. After Bowden revamped his offensive coaching staff in the offseason, the expectations soared among a fan base craving the program's return to elite status. Prior to the season, Bowden warned FSU could be a better team with a record very similar to last year's considering a schedule some ranked the toughest in the nation.

Senior offensive lineman Jacky Claude understands fans might not view this year's team any different from last season's. However, Claude said that would be an erroneous assumption regardless of FSU's final record.

"It's almost like we're in the same situation as last year, but I feel like we're a much better team," Claude said. "I feel like this year we really controlled our own destiny. In some of the games we lost, we lost it. I don't feel like the opposition really did anything to stop us. We hurt ourselves from mistakes, penalties and turnovers."

An FSU victory certainly won't signify the program's rebirth. But at least the Noles won't have to talk about needing an upset or winning a bowl game to keep that impressive streak of winning seasons alive.

"We are trying to rebuild the program," Fagg said. "Ending the season with eight wins and four losses, that would be real good."

Maryland (5-5, 2-4 ACC) at FSU (6-4, 3-4)

KICKOFF: Noon; Tallahassee

TV/RADIO: WTOG, Channel 44/WHBO, 1470 AM

THE LINE: FSU by 761/27

KEEP AN EYE ON
Maryland - Senior RB Lance Ball did something last week that no one had done all season: rush for 100 yards against Boston College's top-rated run defense. Ball's 109 yards contributed heavily to Maryland's season-high 472 total yards. Ball (650 yards, 10 TDs) and Keon Lattimore (709 yards, 11 TDs) give the Terps one of the top rushing tandems in the country.

FSU - The Noles' backfield is worth watching as well, but for entirely different reasons. FSU's top three tailbacks - Antone Smith, Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball - suffered injuries against Virginia Tech. Smith is expected to play, but if he is unable, WR Preston Parker and QB D'Vontrey Richardson worked out of the backfield in practice this week.

KEY STAT
Maryland - LB Erin Henderson anchors the defense, leading the nation with 12.44 tackles per game.

FSU - The Noles have lost three consecutive home finales, to Florida (2004, 2006) and N.C. State (2005).

INJURY UPDATE
Maryland - LB Rick Costa (concussion), DE Mack Frost (knee), WR Danny Oquendo (knee), S Drew Robinson (knee), LG Jaimie Thomas (fibula), WR LaQuan Williams (knee) and LB Alex Wujciak (knee) are out. RG Andrew Crummey (fibula) is doubtful. TB Keon Lattimore (hamstring) is probable.

FSU - LB Toddrick Verdell (foot), RB Russell Ball (ankle), FB Marcus Sims (ankle) and WR Richard Goodman (fibula) are out. RB Jamaal Edwards (shoulder) is questionable. LT Daron Rose (knee), RB Antone Smith (shoulder), DT Andre Fluellen (knee) and CB Tony Carter (head) are probable.

AT STAKE
Maryland - If the Terps want to earn a bowl bid for the fifth time in seven seasons under Coach Ralph Friedgen, they'll need to win at least one more game to become bowl eligible. They are 0-9 all-time at FSU.

FSU - The Noles need a victory to avoid a second consecutive losing season in the ACC, something they had never done prior to last season. Also, after failing last week at Virginia Tech, a victory would be Coach Bobby Bowden's 300th at FSU.

KEY MATCHUPS
When Maryland has the ball - FSU surrendered four passes of at least 25 yards last week to Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor. Maryland QB Chris Turner is second in the ACC in passing efficiency, and with WR Darrius Heyward-Bey his favorite target, FSU's secondary - specifically CBs Tony Carter and Patrick Robinson - must play better and limit the number of big plays.

When FSU has the ball - Protecting QB Drew Weatherford should be at the top of FSU's list. Weatherford suffered a concussion against Virginia Tech and could be susceptible to recurring symptoms if he gets rattled around by Maryland, which has 11 sacks in the last four games. To help, LT Daron Rose is expected to return after missing the Virginia Tech game because of a sprained knee.

PREDICTION
Predicting FSU games these days is sort of like throwing darts - you just hope to hit the board. Fresh off upsetting No..2-ranked Boston College 27-17, the roller-coaster Noles lost to Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, we discovered No..8 Boston College was no better than the No..2 version, evidenced by Maryland's 42-35 win against the Eagles. What does it all mean? Both FSU and Maryland beat Boston College the past two weeks.

Score: FSU 42, Maryland 37

Compiled by Scott Carter

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

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