Posted by Noleman13

By NOLEMAN13

The normal tradition for the New Year is to throw out the old and bring in the new. Florida State fans hoped to see this happen, on and off the field, against West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. In true FSU style, the fans will still have to wait.’,'After setting the tone with a 69-yard TD from Leon Washington and forcing a fumble on the following kickoff, the Noles punctuated the season by settling for 32-yard field goal. Missed opportunities have become a Seminole signature and the Noles squandered two first-and-goal chances (second and third quarters), settling again for field goals instead of touchdowns. Late in the fourth quarter, the Noles blew another chance to use the old momentum when Chris Rix threw an interception in the WVU endzone, after FSU had marched down the field with the legs of Washington and Booker. Aaaaah, the old Noles.

Oh, but the new Noles showed some promise in the second half. With the glaring exception of the third quarter first-and-goal mishap and a few other untimely play calls, JB and staff called a game that moved the O up and down the field with relative ease. The passing game stayed, for the most part, underneath the safeties and the oft-abused O-line opened holes in the WVU front that would have made Swiss cheese jealous (FSU rushed for 301 yards on the day). The O-line, which was without two starters, even gave Rix a little more time than usual, allowing him to have a much better second half.

The defense was what it was…and is. They were chasing shadows and misdirection in the first quarter, allowing two touchdowns on long plays. After that, they limited mistakes and big plays and assumed the old “bend but don’t break” Nole strategy. Ernie Sims and crew slowed the WVU running game in the second half and limited the Mounties to two field goals.

So, what will the new year hold for the Seminoles, based on the Gator Bowl victory? The running game will be solid, barring injury or early defection for the draft, and the defense will be just as talented. The three most glaring issues now come to attention…quarterback, staff changes and play-calling. Sorry, Nole fans, I do not even think The Shadow knows what will happen there.