Advertisement

Notebook: Another top-tier bowl matchup for Florida State

 
FSU running back Dalvin Cook, expected to declare for the NFL draft, will play what is perhaps his final game in his hometown.
FSU running back Dalvin Cook, expected to declare for the NFL draft, will play what is perhaps his final game in his hometown.
Published Dec. 5, 2016

It didn't seem likely after a 5-3 start and 63-20 blowout loss at Louisville, but Florida State continued its run of big bowl appearances.

The Seminoles — No. 11 in the College Football Playoff final rankings — remained ahead of Louisville to take the ACC's spot in the Orange Bowl, against No. 6 Michigan. The appearance in the Dec. 30 game at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium gives FSU a fifth consecutive trip to a New Year's Six/BCS bowl, a current run matched only by Alabama.

"Keeping the streak alive at five straight years is tremendous," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said.

So is the matchup.

The Wolverines and Seminoles are two powerhouse programs. Fisher and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh are two of the top coaches in the game. Harbaugh beat FSU as a quarterback in 1986, in one of the two previous meetings between the schools.

Standout running back Dalvin Cook will try to crack a run defense allowing the sixth-fewest yards per carry in the country. Cook is expected to leave early for the NFL draft, so what is likely the final game of his Seminoles career will be in his hometown.

"I think it's (a) blessing that his family can be in a hometown to watch him play a major bowl game and possibly his last game at Florida State," Fisher said.

Fisher doubts star safety Derwin James will be able to return from a knee injury that sidelined him for the last 10 games.

GATORS TO TAMPA: Florida's fifth trip to the Outback Bowl will be its third matchup against Iowa.

The Jan. 2 game at Raymond James Stadium might not have many points. Both the Gators (8-4) and Hawkeyes (8-4) rank outside the top 75 nationally in scoring offense but are tied for 10th in scoring defense.

There's a chance that UF will be unleashing a new quarterback, too. Coach Jim McElwain hasn't ruled out burning a redshirt for either of his true freshmen, Kyle Trask or Feleipe Franks. McElwain said he'll have to discuss those options with them and their families, but he knows he must develop a future quarterback.

"We've got to make sure that happens sooner or later," McElwain said, "and that's my responsibility, and it will get done."

McElwain said quarterback Luke Del Rio (shoulder) continues to progress, but he is not sure whether Del Rio will be able to return for the bowl.

USF VS. SEC: Having fallen painfully shy of its first conference title, 25th-ranked USF (10-2) received the consolation prize it coveted during Sunday's bowl announcements.

Actually, the Birmingham Bowl, set for Dec. 29 at Legion Field, encompasses two consolation prizes in one for the Bulls: A bona fide bowl trip (instead of an in-state commute), and a chance to garner credibility against an SEC opponent (South Carolina).

"This is a great opportunity for our program to go out and show the country what we are all about and add another significant victory to a record-breaking season," Bulls coach Willie Taggart said in a statement.

"We wanted to make going to bowl games a regular occurrence again at South Florida, so it's great to be returning to a bowl for a second straight season and have the opportunity to play an SEC opponent in Birmingham."

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

A win against the Gamecocks could put USF in the season-ending top 25 for the first time.