FSU Set To Face Maryland Zone

By THE TAMPA TRIBUNE | Tbo.com
Published: November 19, 2008

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TALLAHASSEE - Jimbo Fisher's offense would have good reason to go into the Maryland game saying: Not again.

Instead, Florida State players are determined to end the learning curve and begin winning against what they expect to be a lot of zone coverage from Maryland.

"They prefer zone," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said of Maryland.

In losses to Wake Forest and Boston College, that type of defense led to game-changing interceptions.

And with the zone comes a premium on protection, accuracy and the receivers finding open space.

It would certainly help to have an effective day running the football. Those demands can make it difficult for a still-maturing offense 10 games into the season. Failure in any of those duties can lead to problems. Christian Ponder threw three interceptions in each of his starts vs. Boston College and Wake Forest.

Steve Ellis