Notre Dame are up against it playing Florida State - VIDEO

Seminoles should have the measure of Fighting Irish

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Florida State Passing Offense vs. Notre Dame Passing Defense

The Seminoles are helmed by the competent Junior QB E.J. Manuel who led the ACC in passing efficiency. He threw for 2,417 yards and 16 touchdowns. Manuel is a threat on the ground as well having gained 163 yards and recorded four rushing touchdowns. Dangerous WR Rashard Green (497 YDs. 4 TDs), lost to a midseason injury, is back as the Seminoles deep threat. The passing attack is ranked 34th in the nation.

The steady Fighting Irish secondary is ranked 34th in the country against the pass. The defensive backfield has witnessed a substantial decline only netting 8 interceptions this year from 18 a season ago. They are trying to recover from a game that saw them get torched for 233 yards passing and 4 touchdowns against Andrew Luck and Stanford.

Florida State Rushing Offense vs. Notre Dame Rushing Defense

The Florida State Offensive line could be the team’s Achilles heel. It fails to protect its quarterback in allowing 35 sacks to rank 106th nationally in that category. The line is also responsible for the team’s 99th-ranked rushing offense.  The rushing offense is only averaging 3.5 yards a carry and failed to gain 100 yards rushing in five of its games.

The Fighting Irish Defensive Line should feast on this line the whole game. Watch for DE Aaron Lynch to have a superb effort. Star LB Mantei Teo gave a sign of confidence that he’ll be a ready to go for the bowl game inspite of a nagging ankle injury.

Special Teams

The Seminoles are one of the league’s leaders in this category. P Shawon Powell averages a whopping 47.0 yards an attempt. FSU leads the nation in net punting. Powell has dropped 43 percent of his kicks into the opponents 20 yard line. PK Dustin Samuels is also standout player and first team All-ACC selection.

K David Ruffer has improved of recent indpite of a poor game against Stanford. P Ben Turk is no slouch himself averaging 40.2 yards a kick. The Punt return game for the Irish has been non-existent with only three yards gained on ten returns. Not a good stat when facing one of the nation’s premiere punters.

Prediction

This will be a defensive battle of will and determination. Florida State will prevail in this closely contested match up with its superior special teams.

Florida State 14 Notre Dame 10
2011 Chap Sports Bowl Preview
 

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