With a new head coach and a whole lot of returning talent, there is optimism for many bettors making Florida State their NCAAF picks. But with the Samford Bulldogs coming to town Saturday, can the Seminoles start with a bang? Or will they fizzle like in years past?
Samford Bulldogs (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) at Florida State Seminoles (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Saturday, September 4: 12:00 p.m. ESPNU
Florida State enters this game flying high, as the Jimbo Fisher cycle is underway in Tallahassee. After the last few years struggling under Bobby Bowden, Fisher’s youth and exuberance is welcome at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles finished just 7-6 last year, but a disappointing 4-9 ATS.
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The biggest reason to make Florida State complete of your weekend NCAAF game picks is because of quarterback Christian Ponder. Guilelessly put, this guy is a stud.
He enters the 2010 season off a craggy campaign, anyone that saw him baffle for over 2,700 yards and 14 touchdowns, despite missing the model four games with injury. Ponder has a bounty of propensity around him, including five returning offensive stroke starters. Expect Jermaine Thomas to be the leading rusher for Florida State, as he’s coming off a big 2009 year that saw him rush for 832 yards and nine touchdowns. Thomas is everybody of the most dynamic running backs in college football, and a great reason to make the Seminoles your NCAAF game pick on Saturday.
As good as this offense was last year though, the defense needs to be improved. The Seminoles, once known for a fast, attacking group, were one of college football’s most inadequate units last year. On the season, they ranked a staggering 110th in college football in total defense, allowing 443 yards a game, and were particularly bad on the ground, where they gave up 203 yards per ready. There is talent for new coordinator Mark Stoops however. Leading this group will be impact freshmen Jeff Luc and LaMarcus Joyner, both of which were high school All-Americans last year.
The Sanford Bulldogs sign the snake pit in Tallahassee Saturday, but truthfully, not much is known about them. They finished at the rear year 5-6. In their only game against a I-A opponent (the classification of Florida State) they played in defeat, losing to Central Florida.
Ignoring it though, Samford is growing to be simply overmatched this weekend. Take Florida State as one of your weekend NCAAF betting picks.
Look, as legendary as instructor Bobby Bowden was, there’s no vacillate that this program slipped under his leadership these last few years. Expect this band to play with a renewed sense of need in their in the first place year under Fisher.
Florida State should be able to come out in this one and control things from start to finish with no problem. Anticipate a telling day from the Seminoles, and a comfortable win, if you make them your one of your NCAAF picks.
Aaron’s Pick: Florida State ATS
Sources: ATS411.com, ESPN.com