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Flashback Friday: The day FSU taught Michigan a lesson in The Big House

The Noles traveled to Ann Arbor 22 years ago in September. It was Michigan's traditional Mash-'em attack that was expected to roll over the flashy offense from the Sunshine State. Final score, FSU 51-31. Lesson Learned? Speed kills. It was a shock wave that reverberated not just through The Big House, but throughout the Big 10, as well, serving notice that beefy corn-fed boys in the trenches and a ball control run game wasn't the only way to dominate an opponent.

Seminole Soundbites: Hamilton looks for positives after close-but-no-cigar loss to UM

FSU's Coach is more upbeat than many expected about how his team hung in against an older, more muscular Hurricane crew.

Noles and Canes bring down-to-the wire gridiron intensity to the hardwood

by Bill from Tampa

It was certainly closer than the first meeting between Florida State and Miami. A lot closer.

Unfortunately close was not enough as the Seminoles came up just short and the Hurricanes held on for the 74-68 victory.

It was simply too much Shane Larkin, who scored 22 points for Miami in the win.

After Okaro White's put back at the 10:10 mark tied the score at fifty-one, Larkin, who Leonard Hamilton called the best point guard in the country, scored 9 points over the next five minutes to give Miami its largest lead at 68-56.

Although FSU closed the gap to 69-66 on a Devon Booker three point play with fifty-one seconds to play, the margin was just too much to overcome, helped along by a couple of lengthy three point shots that were supposed to be drives to the basket according to Hamilton.

The inability to convert baskets forced the 'Noles to foul and there was just too little time for another Michael Snaer-type miracle.

After the game, Hamilton pointed to Larkin and Reggie Johnson's (14 points) play as the difference makers for Miami.

But he also pointed to Florida State's turnovers, 17 of them to be exact that Miami converted into 21 points.

Seminole Soundbites: Kiel Turpin cranked to beat Miami and "help build up our resume for the (ACC) tournament"

The Seminoles 7-foot center has a lot of respect for this year's Miami team but believes that, despite the odds, it's a must win for FSU. He also talks about how "rushed shots" doomed the Noles in the demoralizing loss at Wake Forest.

Seminole Soundbites: Okaro White says "it's about energy and the will to win" against UM

On Tuesday White talked about the challenge of knocking off the third ranked Canes and the quirky conincidence that Miami is "kinda like we were last year."

FSU Recruiting is a consensus no. 9 in 10 different recruiting rankings

We checked 'em all so you wouldn't have to, and they average out to a solid number nine for the Noles 2013 class.

#7 National Football Post (UF #2, Clemson #14, Miami #24)

#8 Bleacher Report (UF #4 , Clemson #15)

#8 SB Nation (UF #4, Clemson #13, Miami #17)

#9 ESPN (UF #2, Clemson #13, Miami #21)

#9 Sporting News (UF #4, Clemson #20)

#9 24/7 Sports (UF #4, Clemson #15, Miami #21)

#10 USA Today (UF #3, Clemson #14)

#10 Rivals (UF #4, Clemson #14)

#11 Comcast SportsNet Chicago (UF #4, Clemson #14)

#16 Scout (UF #7, Clemson #12)

Sal Sunseri is keeping the bar high for Seminole DE's

After signing day, Sal Sunseri had a chance to meet the media. He was not only entertaining, he served notice that just because Werner and Carradine are gone, opposing QBs still have something to fear.

“As I was sitting home and I was waiting to see what I was going to do, if I was going to go back to the National Football League or if I was going to stay in college football, my wife said, ‘What do you want to do?’

“I said, ‘Well it’s real simple. I got spoiled at the other place I was at, and I won two national championships. And if there’s a place that I want to go that I believe is on the rise, I want to go to Florida State and I want to coach with Jimbo and I want you to be with Candy (Fisher) and Tara (Trickett) and the rest of the families.”

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“We’ll have a good defense. Let me just tell you this: our asses are going to get to the quarterback.”

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Jeremy (Pruitt) and I have been together for a while. We’ve had some amazing experiences.

(On FSU’s three DE signees)

Demarcus Walker – “He’s on campus right now. He came out and he worked out for me. I put him through an NFL-type workout and I saw what he was able to do. And I immediatey told Jeremy, no matter what we do we’ve got to get this young man in the program. He’s explosive, he’s strong. This young man can run. The thing that’s exciting about him is that he is doing everything right.”

Davarez Bryant – “His quickness, his speed, his athleticisim, his ability to drive inside or outside and make plays is going to make this kid a whole lot of money one day. He’s special. And he’s a fine, fine human being.”

Desmond Hollin – “He’s so big, he’s so athletic. He’s explosive. He’s going to be a force out there.”

No buzzer beater miracles in what Hamilton calls "the worst"

by Bill from Tampa

The good news for Florida State, with a noon tip off against Wake Forest at least the team was able to get back to Tallahassee before dark.

If you can't shoot, can't rebound, can't avoid turnovers, you can't win.

In the case of FSU, they couldn't even compete as the Demon Deacons took an early lead and demolished the Seminoles 71-46.

The 'Noles never led and trailed by as much as 26 points, 66-40.

Florida State shot relatively well in the first half, connecting on 42% of their shots, but trailed 34-26 at the break. But the second half was a different story with the 'Noles only shooting 25%.

Take me out to the ballpark for FSU Fan Day

A good turnout today at Howser with weather to match. Catch the first pitch on ESPN3 if you can't be there Friday at 4pm when the Noles begin the 2013 season with Rhode Island.

If Randy Sanders can coach like he fires off one-liners, Jimbo made a good hire

Most football coaches are perpetually grim faced and about as funny as a mortician. But new RB Coach Randy Sanders sounds like the exception. Here are a few things Sanders quipped at the signing day after party -- both about a former employer [Dabo's ears must have been burning] and one of the new Seminoles he helped recruit.

"I think I look much better in this garnet than I did that orange anyway. But it’s nice if you ever need to pick up garbage on the interstate."

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"Coach Fisher called me about joining the staff here at Florida State. And he asked me if I was interested. Of course I said yes. He said he wanted to bring me down here and look the place over. I said I know what Florida State has. He said that’s good enough. We’ll get you a plane ticket. I said that’s a bonus. I would have grabbed my suitcase and walked. That’s how excited I am to be here."

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[On Ryan Green] – "Very dynamic athlete. Tremendous basketball player, track athlete. Has done a lot of different things in high school but we think he can be the kind of running back that we all want. The kind that makes you look like a really good football coach. Tremendous parents. Great kid. … Looking forward to all the different things he will be able to do for us. Not only as a ball carrier but as a receiver out of the backfield. Hopefully as a kick returner. He will be able to do a lot of things."