Highlights from Tommy Bowden's Tuesday press conference:
"My preference would be for them (Florida State defense) to rush four and defend with seven, and not get pressure with four. It wouldn't surprise me if their down linemen get pressure. So I think they're going to initially challenge their defense to get pressure with four. If they can get in his (Cullen Harper's) face and rattle him, then it will be a long night for us."
"I think they'll bring back into their offensive mix a run and run-action-pass scenario, which they haven't had the last few years. I think the biggest difference will be that. It's his first game and he's a bold guy. I've coached with him before (at Auburn) and I know his background. He has a lot of confidence. The offensive philosophy has totally changed from the past."
"I think the difficulty comes in finding ways to be productive against them (from an offensive point of view). I study their defense more than I do their offense. We didn't have a lot of running yards last year until James Davis broke that long run
at the end. So, it's not so much the formality of the game and family as much as it is execution versus their defense. Offensively, they're going to bring something different to the table."
"I do think he'll (QB Cullen Harper) have a very steady performance based on how he has performed in practice over the last year. He's been very consistent and very steady, but it will be a completely different scenario against Florida State. I don't think he'll get rattled. There's going to be some natural nervousness and anxiety as a first-time starter. To prepare for Florida State, he's been going against our defense. That's the closest we have to imitate Florida State's speed and quickness."
"I think it's going to be one of those games where noise will be a factor. I want to encourage our fans to make as much noise as possible when Florida State has the ball."
Comments? Questions? Kudos?