ChantRant.com

Sherman Johnson: That name ring a bell?

With football taking a break, time for baseball to step up to the plate.

Sherman Johnson? It's seems a long time since the Noles appearance in Omaha, but who could forget the emergence of Johnson as a timely-hitting sparkplug. His breakout season earned the rising junior a spot on The Top 100 Countdown of College Baseball Players. Sherm came in no. 95 on the honor roll published by The College Baseball Blog.

Included in the profile are stats from Johnson's summer gig in the Valley League, where he hit .267 in 22 games. He also stole seven bases in nine attempts.

If you're jones-ing for Seminole Baseball, you don't have long to wait. It's almost exactly four months til opening day: February 18 against VMI at Dick Howser. Here's the complete 2011 schedule, including three games against the Canes (all in Miami) and four games with the gators at four different locations -- Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa and Jacksonville.

Hoop Scoop: Bill from Tampa's front row take on Friday night's Jam With Ham

Though it was a showcase for the fans, what did you see that gave you hope for the 2010-11 season?

BFT: A lot of athleticism. Jon Kreft in particular is more more athletic than Solomon Alabi was for FSU. Solomon's knee issues that hindered him, Kreft seems able to get up and down the floor. We will have to see how he handles DI ball, but reports about Kreft's play have been very promising. In fact, it was said that Jon outplayed Solomon in practice. Pundits have expressed doubt about the center spot for Florida State. There may be no need for concern in that area. Also with the many questions around the ACC due to coaching changes, early departures to the NBA and transfers, FSU has an opportunity to do well in the conference again because it returns a core of key players.

The highlight of the evening I would say was the dunk contest (video above) where Devidas Dulkys lined up as a wide receiver, Andrew Rutledge hiked a football to former quarterback Luke Loucks who threw it to Dulkys streaking down the side line. Dulkys took it from there slamming the football through the rim. It drew all tens from the six judges (one of which being former Seminole Ryan Reid who stopped in on his way to the Oklahoma Thunder training camp). Stan Jones apparently was not impressed though as he told Dulkys "you traveled on the play".

What newcomers caught your eye?

BFT: While it is hard to get much of an idea in an eleven minute scrimmage where defense was less than adequate, Ian Miller did. Bigger physically than I expected and very athletic as well. Ian scored seven points in the first four minutes of the scrimmage, two alley oop plays and three from the wing. So you can see he can play inside as well as outside. Obviously Kreft did as well since he replaces Solomon.

Which veteran appears to be your early favorite for Most Improved Player?

BFT: No question, Michael Snaer. He had some tremendous first steps going to the hole.

Judging by the size of the crowd and their reaction, is the Seminole Nation falling in love with FSU basketball?

BFT: It was another excellent crowd at the Jam. Tully was packed as it was last year. Now that is not an indication one way or the other because there is about a 3,000 core of fans that show up just about every time. And I know I recognized a lot of people. But, take a look at attendance last season and you see more other fans showing up. That will be the answer to that question. With a very favorable home schedule (UF, Ohio State, Duke, and UNC all coming to the Civic Center), we should see even more fans I would think provided the team is doing well.

But overall, the event was a great deal of fun and games. It was very well organized with a lot of entertaining things done around the scrimmage. 

Completely Random and Factually Meaningless Thoughts

1. Just a quick question, but aren’t these things supposed to be blowouts by more than 20 points (in favor of the good guys of course)? BC must have not gotten the script in the mail. And a big thank you goes to the defense, in particular Greg Reid in running down Montel Harris, in making sure it wasn’t a blowout in the wrong direction.

2. Come on now, admit it. Wasn’t it muuuuuuuuuuuch more exciting to clinch bowl eligibility in game eleven ala last season?

3. And if not, know that FSU researchers have come to your rescue in determining watermelon can lower your blood pressure. Had they been selling that at the game Saturday, just a guess that concession sales might have been brisk in the first part of that fourth quarter.

4. Just doing some quick math after the first two BC drives picking up 143 yards on the ground, the Eagles were on pace to rush for approximately 929 yards. Now that would have put a dent in the old rushing defense statistics.

5. Just a guess on how long that replay of Taiwan Easterling’s catch was …… somewhere in the vicinity of 87 minutes. Or at least it felt that long. Maybe the refs were making dinner reservations following the game? May we suggest (insert your favorite fast food establishment here) and get on with the game please?!?!?!?!

6. And speaking of replays, whoever called for the replay review of Rodney Smith’s out of bounds catch in the north end zone …. may we recommend a visit to the optometrist? Either that or please keep the glasses on at all times. Thank you.

7. From Gene Deckerhoff following a completed pass to BC’s Bobby Swigert: “He caught it right between the 8 and the 6. He wears 86.” NOOOOOO!!! Really?? I could have sworn that was a 12.

8. Best pass of the weekend: If you missed the Jam With Ham function to kick off FSU basketball season, it was former high school QB Luke Loucks’ pass down the sideline to a streaking Devidas Dulkys and the slam dunk with the football. Unfortunately David neglected to dribble the football so we are calling traveling on the play.

9. Just one other observation regarding the Jam, handing out those fans, you know, the ones in the shape of FSU’s helmets you use at football games …. correct me if I’m wrong but wouldn’t it have been more apropos to have them in the shape of basketballs? Or maybe even the smiling face of Leonard Hamilton ( now there’s a scary thought)?

10. Good news for Wake Forest. At least it didn’t come down to a demoralizing touchdown with just seconds left to lose the game. Or at least we believe that is case. That is unless there is some 32 point play Virginia Tech was able to utilize.

Bonus Completely Random and Factually Meaningless Thoughts

ChantRant's Updated FSU - Boston College Photo and Video Gallery

Thanks to Chris Holder for the exclusive photo coverage -- plus, the video above. Watch as Vic Viloria is a step behind Jimbo in leading the team on the field. And catch the tail-end to see who's injured and not even dressed out. Below are first half shots, including Reid's TD-saving tackle. Check out the second half gallery after the jump.

Now that's blocking.

And that's tackling.

Three points from Mr. Dependable.

Pryor's TD celebration.

An absolute gift from the football gods

Has your blood pressure returned to normal? You can bet Jimbo's hasn't. There must be 50 ways the OMG win over B.C. could've gone the other way. A holding call here, a ref's different judgement on a call there, maybe a pass that wasn't knocked down, and the Noles would've had a major black eye.

But (duh) these gifts happen every week in college football -- though usually not to Florida State. So maybe we should all be content with this good fortune from the celestial dieties that control which way the ball bounces. FSU was due a little luck from above. And no matter how ugly it was today, it'll soon be perceived as a respectable "W". So damn right we'll take it.

It may even be a sign of a charmed season with the stars continuing to align for this team. Now, to our regularly scheduled Boo-Ya's and Bummers.

• Players read their press clippings. FSU went from being ridiculed after the OU game to the Flavor of the Week. All the naysayers and critics (except maybe Beano, but nobody's listening) were annointing the Noles as the best in Florida and cool new kids on the block. Too bad the guys in Garnet & Gold totally bought it. Reality Check: This team is neither as bad as the one that lost in Norman or as devastating as the one that shocked Miami.

• Ponder, Ponder, Ponder...(shaking our heads). If any player shouldn't buy the hype and take B.C. lightly, it's no. 7. Is it his arm? Update: Reportedly a bum elbow. Apologies in advance for some serious sacrilege here, but there were moments when we were ready for E.J. -- if only for a series or two so Christian could shake off the stink.

• WTF!? Sorry, Jimbo, you don't get a pass for calling a screen that just hung out there for the picking on FSU's own two-yard line.

• WTF!? #2: What's with running compact-size Chris Thompson up the middle against a physical, aggressive D? Glad to finally see Ty Jones again, a bigger back who was able to break tackles that no. 23 couldn't.

• B.C. is the new Wake. Even a decade ago, beating an outmanned Wake Forest was a major roadblock. The Deacs always found a way to out-coach FSU, after which, the Noles spent days in the hot tub nursing nasty aches and bruises. Well, now that speed bump is Boston College. Forget the records and scenario, Jimbo needs to mark it on the calendar as a trap game -- every year.

***        ***        ***        ***        ***

• Game Ball to Terrance Parks. He was the Mac Daddy defensive stud of the game, and his pass break-ups saved the day more than once.

• Ten pass break-ups in all merits a second Game Ball to Mark Stoops for his dramatic transformation of a secondary we're still trying to forget.

• A negative becomes a positive. Once again (#$&!) the Noles were gashed by Montel Harris. Obviously, B.C. coaches saw something they could exploit. BUT, after those two long runs, Stoops adjusted and Harris got small change. Yep, that's what a good D-Coordinator is supposed to do. But, as we all painfully know, it didn't always work that way in recent years.

• Were those really ACC refs!? If so, FSU should have this crew every week. First time in years we've had a feeling FSU wasn't playing against the zebras as much as the other team. If they hadn't made some of those favorable calls and spots...ugh.

• BOO-YA, Nole fans! 'Ya nearly filled up Doak (75,301 official attendance) for a Noon game that wasn't supposed to be exciting or even close. A final Garnet & Gold Game Ball to you all.

After Further Review: TomRob's updated Boston College preview

OFFENSE

What we know:  Boston College is pretty bad on offense. Many expected the Eagles to struggle a bit and just be average on offense, but they’ve been downright poor, averaging just 18.8 points and 301.6 yards per game. The main culprits have been a poor offensive line and terrible QB play. Things have gotten so bad that some in New England are saying coach Frank Spaziani may have to fire offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill to save his own job.  

The QB’s are pretty bad. Many thought Dave Shinskie (618 yards, 48%, 5 TDs, 6 interceptions) was just a placeholder last year and would surely be beaten out this season by younger competitors. However, the coaching staff gave Shinskie the nod despite practice reports indicating that backups Mike Marscovetra and Chase Rettig were more impressive. Many feel Shinskie is as good as he ever will be and Marscovetra (369 yards, 59%, 2 TDs, 4 interceptions) has seen playing time in all 5 games, although he has struggled against BC’s better opponents.

Thus, it appears that Rettig (72 yards, 50%, 1 TD) is the QB of the now and future. The coaches burned his redshirt against Notre Dame and Rettig showed flashes before getting hurt. He’ll likely make many freshman mistakes, but Rettig appears to be BC’s best bet under center.  That being said, Rettig was lightly recruited and isn’t considered an elite talent. 

The offensive line has been surprisingly disappointing. While LT Anthony Castonzo is an all-star and has been pretty solid, the unit as a whole returned the second most starts in the ACC (behind only FSU) but has not played like a seasoned bunch. The line has paved the way for an anemic rushing attack that averages just 89.8 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry. The low point came when BC rushed for just 5 yards against a pretty average Notre Dame defense. Tranquill and Spaziani have used several different lineups to try to fix the problem, but the line is just struggling. Many BC insiders are placing the blame on the coaching staff, figuring that BC still has not recovered from losing OL coach Jim Leach when he left with Tom O’Brien for N.C. State.  

B.C.'s freshman QB not 100% but confident, plus recruiting updates

• Chase Rettig is getting ready for the biggest game of his life. Boston College's freshman QB still has a tender ankle, suffered against Notre Dame, but he's the best B.C. has for Saturday's game at Doak. Meantime, Eagle players are amping up the locker room heat with talk of "bringing it this week." Full story on both angles here.

• In recruiting, the nation's no. 1 prospect has FSU as one of four favorites at the moment. DE Jadeveon Clowney of Rock Hill, S.C., lists South Carolina, Alabama and Ohio State along with the Noles. The list narrowed down this week when Miami was eliminated. Or as Clowney puts it, "they have fallen off."

• And in case you missed it, big time TE Nick O'Leary's star rating was dropped from 5 to 4 by ESPN. The Worldwide Sports Leader calls it a "slight slide" and says they just need more time to evaluate O'Leary, who appears a strong lean to the Noles. Rivals has O'Leary as a 4-Star and rates him first on their list of 201l tight ends. This Saturday O'Leary and two of his teammates from Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) take an official visit to Wisconsin.

Who'll play QB for the Eagles, plus other questions for B.C. blogger William

Two in a row. That's the streak B.C. has going against the Noles. Maybe worse, the Eagles lead the series 3-2 since they joined the ACC. FSU is favored but we all know B.C. is feisty and physical. For a look at what the Noles can expect from the boys from Boston, we turned to long-time B.C. observer, William at Eagle in Atlanta.

Who is B.C.'s best option at QB against FSU -- and why?

A: Chase Rettig is clearly the best and only options. Rettig won't be 100%. He suffered a ankle sprain against Notre Dame and did not play against NC State. However, the other alternatives -- Dave Shinskie and Mike Marscovetra -- have not done anything to move the ball. Against NC State Shinskie had trouble completing even the most basic short throw.

In his short time against Notre Dame, Rettig did not do anything eye popping but he settled down and made kept the defense honest with his downfield passes. Against Florida State I expect him to work out of the shotgun and make quick throws.

Why do the Eagles appear to have taken a step back from the team that beat FSU the past two seasons?

This is why they don't sell beer at Doak

And here's another view of the Noles vs. Canes fan scrimmage.

Miami's Halloween Dream: Coming back to life to meet FSU in the ACC Championship

The revenge-fueled scenario is coming into focus for UM players and fans. Win the rest of their conference games and meet FSU in the championship showdown. If there's any fight left in the Canes, beating Duke, Maryland and Virginia shouldn't be a challenge. Then if they can get by Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and North Carolina -- whoa, Nellie. It's game on Dec. 4 in Charlotte, as long as FSU takes care of its business. Tell us how you'd feel about a Nole-Cane rematch in the Nole Poll on the right.