Trenches

Tonight's FSU vs. Clemson snoozer of a game on ESPN is proof positive that the offensive and defensive lines are the most important parts of a football team. Sure, special teams come into play a lot in college as well, but the importance of a solid line on both sides of the balls wins and loses football games.

While so many people are enamored by the speed, arm strength, and playmaking abilities of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and shut-down corners, the game is won and lost in the trenches...almost every single time. Aside from Davis and Spiller breaking a run here or there, tonight's game lacked many big plays because of a lack of experience, especially on the O-line.

Being a Seminole fan, and having been fortunate to be at school there for 3 National Championship games, I've been lucky enough to see some great talent on the field both for my beloved Noles and on the opponent's side.

For every lightning fast running back with long runs, I'll show you a few quality offensive lineman who open up his holes. For every cornerback with interception after interception, you'll generally see his teammates on the defensive line making the other team's QB miserable with constant pressure.

Therein lies the only thing I can hopefully look forward to as a Seminole fan after tonight's poor showing. The young men up front played much better in the 2nd half and the additions of Rick Trickett as O-line coach and the habitual quality that Mickey Andrews and Chuck Amato produce on 'D' will at least bring hope for better things to come in the next few years. Unfortunately, the growing pains will still be there for now...now let's at least keep up the hot recruiting for next year!

Side note: Ron Cherry is horrible and should never be given the privilege of ever working a high school game, nevermind ACC college football.

Side note #2: You should be ashamed as a student body when you rush the field after a mediocre win against a team you have beaten 4 out of the last 5 years. FSU of the 90's who was Top 5 every year...ok. FSU of 2007 who was 7-6 last year and barely ranked in the top 20...that's just a waste of a special moment. Good win for the Tigers, but the need to rush the field after that win on a level of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, was like a 3 at best. On the other hand, ASU Mountaineers students rushing the field in Boone after the Michigan win even though the game was hundreds of miles away in Ann Arbor...that is easily a 10...well done!