Sunshine Seven Week 8: Gators Sinking

Each Week SOTU reviews what transpired last week around the State Universities of Florida. Who won? Who lost? Who's looking to next year already? Check out the reviews and clips from Week 8, enjoy!

By NOVAcane@emdegee89 Oct 23, 2014, 9:03am EDT

Coach Muschamp is ready (ready?) to take questions from the media.

Weekly Observations

Better to Be Lucky Than Good?

FSU just keeps on winning. Whether it's by Jameis' pass slinging abilities, running the opponent into submission or simply battering offenses with their defense; FSU keeps on trucking. The latest victory though comes from a questionable call by the referee's on an offensive pass interference penalty (commonly known as a "pick play") as Notre Dame was making a last gasp effort to pull out the victory deep in FSU territory.

First off, the game was an absolute pleasure to watch. Both teams played their hearts out on the field. With that said, I believe (just my opinion) that the correct call was made at the end of the game. Brian Kelly was quick to point out that it was a coverage mistake by the FSU secondary that caused the event to take place but if you watch the replay... at least to me anyways.. it's pretty clear to see that the flanking wide receiver and his compadre are pushing the corners to the inside of the field while the slot receiver breaks for the outside.. Just my two cents though.

Will FSU have a letdown game in two weeks? They have a bye this weekend and then travel to Louisville for a night game. This is just another week in the Noles schedule but for the Cardinals.. This is their Super Bowl. Just keep that in mind readers. Not saying there WILL be an upset, just pointing out that letdown games do happen..

Miami Gets Easy Victory Against Bearcats But Now Face A Desperate Hokie Team

After Miami got their resounding win against the Bearcats, Al Golden and his coaching staff had to turn their gaze towards a suddenly desperate Hokie squad. This is very much a must win for both Programs. VT wants to keep pace with the ever deteriorating Coastal Division and needs this victory. The Canes may actually need the win more from a psychological standpoint, however.

Miami, as everyone has noted, is 0-3 on the road this year. In all three contests the Miami offensive unit and defensive unit have played relatively the same. The offense (besides the first game) was able to move the ball but had key turnovers at the most inopportune times. The defense simply couldn't stop anything whether it be a passing play (third and long, anyone?) or a running play.

With a week off to study Virginia Tech and couple the fact that the Hokies have trended upward with offensive inefficiencies of late (specifically turnovers) this is very much a make or break game for the defensive coaching staff. If the defense doesn't make adjustments.. It could be a long week for Coach Golden and his staff when it comes to answering questions from the media. Then again, what else is new?

And Now.. The End is Near..

It's that time.. The beginning of the end.. The last struggles of a desperate coaching regime trying to provide a spark to a lethargic Program in its death throes. It happens everywhere as is the nature of the industry. In this case it's happening at Florida. Last week we discussed how Red Shirt Junior Jeff Driskel and the young true freshman Treon Harris were to split snaps at Quarterback against Missouri. Well, after the latest flummox by the team on homecoming it looks like Head Coach Will Muschamp is going to ride full time with the frosh.

With two weeks to prepare for the formidable Georgia Bulldogs who roll in to Jacksonville for the neutral site game with a record of 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC this game could honestly go one of two ways. First, the Gators could come out "guns blazing" and pull off a stunner. Or, the more likely scenario as has been the case all season, they come out flat and simply get pounded into submission by the Georgia running game. If the later event happens, Muschamp may not make it back to Gainesville as the coach of the team.

FAU Has A Potent Offense.

The Owls may be one of the scariest 3-4 overall record teams in the country. If you take out their first two out of conference games (at both Alabama and Nebraska) they're averaging 39 points a contest versus teams around the same talent level as them (including in-conference opponents). They have an established QB in Jaquez Johnson who hails from the JUCO ranks but has now been the starter for almost a full year. This season he's thrown for 10 touchdowns to just one interception and in the run game he's on pace for about 600 yards rushing this season. Don't take this team lightly, they may make a late season push up the final rankings.

FIU Puts Up A Fight But Doesn't Have The Weapons To Keep Up With Marshall

It was a tough fight and don't let the end score of 45-13 fool you, this was a dog fight until the end. The gameplan throughout by the Panthers was to keep the passing game short and high percentage for their QB, Alex McGough and the running game would have to supplement it with key first down conversions. FIU tried as hard as they could to keep the running game humming with exotic reverses and getting lots of people involved (they had 7 different rushers for 53 total rushing attempts) but sadly they were just too conservative. The Thunder Herd rolled through the Panthers in the 3^rd and 4^th quarter scoring 28 straight points.

Florida State

LAST WEEKS RANK: 1

THIS WEEKS RANK: 1

SCORE: 31 - 27, FSU beat Notre Dame