Gator Bowl: Florida State Seminoles vs. West Virginia Mountaineers | Preview & Predictions

January 1, 2010 | 1:00 PM EST, Jacksonville, FL, on CBS

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

Florida State Seminoles (6-6) vs West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3)

Opening Line: West Virginia -3 (current WVU -2.5)

Game Preview: Bobby Bowden’s last stand against the school he left some 30 years ago.  It is poetic but I didn’t like the politics which skipped over other worthy ACC teams.  This is especially wrong because the Seminoles won’t even be at full strength as they have lost their dynamic QB Christian Ponder.  On the other side the combination of Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine have proven their is life after Pat White.

Florida State Preview: What has happened to FSU?  Not only did they barely qualify for a bowl, they have lost their identity as one of the most fearsome defensive teams in the country.  This year they gave up over 30ppg, a number not even their top 30 offense could overcome.  This is their last chance to prove that they have enough fight in them as they will try and send out their legendary coach.  Although backup QB EJ Manuel isn’t inspiring confidence with his he has amazing athletic ability and is thought of highly within the program.

West Virginia Preview: Jarrett Brown had a very tough act to follow.  Pat White led the program to such a high level that there was bound to be some drop off.  Brown didn’t let the team slip too far.  Sure he had help form slippery Noel Devine but Brown proved that the WVU offense can still be pretty lethal with more emphasis on the passing game.  This team was only three points shy of beating Cincinatti and landing in the BCS yet again.  The defense will be missing key DL Scooter Berry but the stop unit should still be able to counteract anything the Seminoles throw at them.

Game Prediction: The talent levels may be somewhat even but WVU is the far better team.  You would like to think that FSU could suck it up and play to potential to send Bowden out a winner but the Mountaineers are not going to lay down for them.  Jarrett Brown will be the difference.

Score Prediction:

West Virginia Mountaineers – 28
Florida State Seminoles – 21

Pick: WVU is a great play here.  Sure the game in Orlando is not far from Tallahassee but WVU is just that much better that the emotion of Bowden’s last game will not be enough.  The spread is going down which makes this play even better.