Congratulations are in order for the Seminole Soccer program and Coach Mark Krikorian.  The ladies are ranked #1 in the nation in the Soccer America poll, marking the first time that the program has ever been ranked #1!

Rumor has it that the “special” Nike uniform for the B.C. game will be all black, with garnet numbers and gold highlighting.

Thanks a lot Nike, for messing with the best uniform in college football when it doesn’t need to be.

By Bill Kristoph

College football fans realize that the NCAA has agreed to standardize instant replay for all of its games. Die-hard college football fans know about the changes to the game clock rules coming in 2006. For all of the crazies out there, here is a list of rule changes for the upcoming season, along with the theory behind them.

1. Excessive crowd noise - The rule has been deleted, since referees could not enforce it. Good job fans!

2. Eye shields - Tinted eye shields are not permitted. This has long been a rule in the NFL, so that trainers do not have to remove the helmet from an injured player to get a look at his eyes.

3. Extra point - If a touchdown is scored at the end of a game and the EP doesn’t affect the outcome, then it is not kicked.

4. Halftime - It’s now 20 minutes unless both teams agree upon a different amount of time prior to the game.

5. Kicking tee - The tee can place the bottom of the ball no higher than 1 inch from the ground. This is an attempt to reduce touchbacks. So those 4 inch tees will be useful only at Notre Dame.

6. Fouls on a kick play from scrimmage - (Wow, that wording is awkward.) Basically, teams can opt to add the 5 yards to the end of a return than to make the opposing team re-kick.

7. Instant Replay - Standard throughout the NCAA now.

8. Game clock - It now starts when the ball hits the kickers foot AND when the referee signals ready for play after a 1st down.

The NCAA is due some credit for trying to shorten the length of some of these marathon games, however the game clock rule will have to be tweaked following this season. Coaches are complaining that the game will be shortened by 10-15 plays, and that they have rush plays in. First, both teams are shortened by 10-15 plays, so it’s an equal situation. Why the coaches are crying about it, who knows? Second, rushing a play in with the new 1st down rule might be tough.

Some adjustments that should be made in 2007 to the rule:

• 1. The clock stopping only occurs within the last 5 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters. This keeps the spirit of the rule alive, while cutting time off from the other quarters.
• 2. The same should apply for the out-of-bounds rules. Why stop the clock after EVERY out-of-bounds play?
• 3. Move to a 40 second clock. This will account for the time it takes the lazy refs to spot the ball. (Basically giving a 25 second clock that is currently implemented.)

Kudos, NCAA for trying to speed up the game, and get the fans back to tailgate in under 4 hours!

By Bill Kristoph

Since Jeff Bowden was promoted to FSU’s Offensive Coordinator, fans, media and players have been quick to blame him for FSU’s offensive woes. Until 2006, that judgement was not fair. Granted, there are play calls that have left many people in the stands wondering what the heck was going on downon the field. At times, clock-management was awful (and watch out for that again this year with the rule changes). But overall, Jeff Bowden had two things going against him over the last 5 years.

The first problem was the Chris Rix saga. Forget about Chris as a player and the things that went on. He certainly wasn’t Chris Weinke or Charlie Ward. Heck, he wasn’t even Thad Busby. A coach can teach, call plays and have the best strategy out there, but when a player can’t execute, there is not much a coach can do about it. It was a mixture of events that lead to a rough four years. The biggest issue was Rix’s polarizing nature; the worst thing a team environment can have.

The second problem occured last season. Fresh off of the Chris Rix experience, Jeff Bowden had to start another freshman, Drew Weatherford. Forget about the fans arguing over Lee vs. Weatherford, that battle was settled in practice. In fact, the ‘Noles looked pretty great through 6 games. But when the offensive line was decimated, and Drew Weatherford started doing his best Ken O’Brien sack imitation, what can anyone really do? If people watched some of the game tapes, they’d see that receivers were open, but the ‘Noles just couldn’t get the ball there.

With those questions solved heading into the 2006 campaign, what are the excuses this year?

By Bill Kristoph

In case anyone missed it in the Tallahassee Democrat a couple of days ago, Florida State University Athletic Director, Dave Hart, said that Nike has approached the school about a special uniform for the Boston College game.  The uniform would be themed as a tribute to the Seminole Tribe, and would only be worn for that game.

Let’s hope Nike doesn’t screw up this idea, which in theory is good.  But, then again, I also look at the Oregon Ducks’ uniforms every Saturday in the fall…

By Bill Kristoph

When it was announced that the Miami / FSU game was going to be the first game of the season, and on Monday night back in 2004, I couldn’t be convinced that it was a good idea. Why would the ‘Noles (or ‘Canes for that matter) want to play their biggest rival on opening day? Shouldn’t both teams have a warm up or two before putting the season on the line? Why make it tough on the fans who travel, to make a Monday night game?

Then it dawned on me. Recruiting.

When you are the only game on television, and one of the few fresh television programs on Labor Day, every player in the country is going to watch the game. From coast to coast, high school recruits get to see what Florida State and Miami are all about. Forget about regional coverage, or ESPN coverage, or the fact that you might get a bunch of NFL starved fans tuning in, the Monday Night Experience elevates both programs into the national consciousness more than any other weekend can.

Have the games been sloppy? Yes. Have they been about defense, so far? Yes. Does that hinder the presentation of both schools? No way. Think about it. Both schools get ample pre-game, since they are the only game on in that time slot. Both schools get advertisements on national television for over 3 hours. It rarely happens for the rest of the season. Maybe that kid in Omaha will check out the ‘Noles and ‘Canes, and suddenly realize that the State of Florida is great place to play football. That lone recruit in a small town who has amazing hands, might not get the opportunity to check out the ‘Noles on ESPN or ABC regional, but with a Labor Day spectacular he might see something he likes and take an opportunity to consider one of the schools.

For FSU Athletic Director, the choice to shy away from an opening game with Miami was an easy one. He cited the 12-game schedule, and lack of open dates as the reason. However, he did leave open the possibility that A) FSU could be involved in the game with an opponent other than Miami and B) that both Miami & FSU have no interest in playing the game any later than the beginning of October.

So I ask, what’s the point? Aside from the fact that Miami cannot play the game in the scheduled slot next year, due to being contracted with Oklahoma on September 8, the game should be played on Labor Day. The exposure for both programs is priceless, the ACC gains respect by featuring two of its highest profile teams, and it gives both teams plenty of time to recover in the polls from a loss. Keep the game on Labor Day and continue to reap the benefits. Either that, or realize there are plenty of ACC teams on the cusp of being elite who would love to steal a few of those recruits away from both of you.