The college football spotlight is back on the state of Florida Saturday with an afternoon game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville and Miami at Florida State in a primetime contest.
Although both Florida State and Miami are unbeaten, most pundits are predicting an easy Seminole win. FSU has been far more consistent than Miami. The Canes have barely squeaked by North Carolina and Wake Forest in their most recent games. Miami quarterback Stephen Morris has also been a turnover machine during October.
Conversely, FSU is one of the darling teams in the nation mostly due to the mesmerizing play of quarterback Jameis Winston. The big matchup here is the Cane defensive line trying to get at least a stalemate with the Seminoles’ offensive line.
Miami is much improved under coach Al Golden, but they are not ready to win a game of this magnitude. FSU will get a needed bump in the BCS rankings because Miami is ranked in the Top 10.
GATORS/BULLDOGS: Even though the Gators and Bulldogs are both 4-3, the stakes are still high for this game. Make no mistake this is still the biggest week of the year in the city of Jacksonville. A month ago this game had the appearance of a Top 5 matchup, but injuries have decimated both clubs. The winner stays alive for a divisional title while the loser has little to play for except a bowl game.
Both Georgia’s Mark Richt and Florida’s Will Muschamp will survive the season, but I’m not sure some of the losing team’s assistants will have the same luxury. Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is catching a lot of heat as is Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease. Georgia has one of the youngest and worst defenses in the league and Florida’s offense has little big-play ability.
The emergence of Kelvin Taylor, the son of Florida great Fred Taylor, could make a difference in the Gator attack. What will also help the Gators this week is a retooled offensive line, which has been pushed around by LSU and Missouri in recent losses.
Bulldog tailback Todd Gurley returns from injury. Gurley has the ability to carry the Bulldog offense on his back while quarterback Aaron Murray continues to jell with his young, inexperienced receivers.
NEW RECRUITING RULES: The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Wednesday adopted some new football recruiting rules. The measures are effective immediately for Division-I schools.
The first rule is to allow football players to participate in eight hours per week of required weight training and conditioning during an eight-week period each summer. Up to two of those eight hours can be dedicated to film review. Basketball already does this. It is time football coaches had more structured time with players during the summer.
Another good rule was to establish an extended dead period in the winter when no face-to-face recruiting can take place. The new, lengthier dead period will extend from December 16th through January 15th. This is also smart. Players and coaches need to enjoy some Christmas time and bowl prep without having to worry too much about recruiting. This time also allows coaches and officials to concentrate on the annual NCAA meetings and coaches’ conventions.
Yet another good rule was to establish a 14-day dead period in late June and early July for Division-I level schools. This is simply common sense. Frankly, the time could have been extended more. Coaching staffs and players need a break in the summer to get away.
One of the more curious new rules allows schools to pay for meals for up to four family members who accompany a recruit on an official visit. The rule is put in place to allow schools to also feed siblings. This rule has some potential to be abused by the wealthier schools.