Gator Bowl: Bobby Bowden vs. West Virginia

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

Robert Guliano on Why West Virginia will win: Because the too old to lose rule doesn’t apply to Bobby Bowden. Joe Paterno is cute, loveable old. Bobby Bowden is annoying, cranky old. I, personally, don’t get it, but it seems to be the trend of thought amongst college football purists. I actually appreciate Bowden for virtually creating a monster program at Florida State and displaying a consistent awareness of the dangers of harmful UV rays by wearing his trademark sun hat and sunglasses. Meanwhile West Virginia has looked scary good at times this year under Bill Stewart (who was kind of a stagnant hire). They have an opportunity to make Bowden’s last season at Florida State even more embarrassing than it already was.

West Virginia Players to Watch:

3. QB Jarret Brown- Would have fit perfectly in Rich Rodriguez’s system. At least he’s in a bowl game.

2. RB Noel Devine- The First Noel Devine joins balloon boy, Lonelygirl15, and OK GO as a youtube superstar. Gotta be proud.

1. Jimbo Fisher- I’ll be watching for the moment the heir to the Florida State football throne realizes that he is going to have to start taking the blame for the faltering team that he has been coaching for five years.

Brandon Hickey on why FSU will win: Florida State is 6-6 and got into the Gator Bowl only because Notre Dame didn’t want to be there. They only beat two bowl-eligible teams this year (North Carolina and BYU) and gave up 30.9 points per game. Their leading receiver, Bert Reed, had 58 catches for 710 yards and NO touchdowns. How does this happen? Meanwhile, tight end Beau Reliford has 10 catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. That’s quite a difference.

Seminole Players to watch:

3. LB Dekoda Watson-Watson leads the Seminoles in tackles for loss and sacks. Also has the strangest spelling of the name “Dakota” ever.

2. Bobby Bowden-Bowden is coaching his last game as Florida State’s head coach. He’s like 90. This is your cue JoePa.

1. QB Christian Ponder-Ponder follows in the line of mediocre white Florida State quarterbacks: Chris Weinke, Chris Rix, Wyatt Sexton (who proclaimed himself as “God” while lying naked in the street), Drew Weatherford, and finally Ponder.

THE COMPROMISE: Spirited effort carries the 'Noles, 38-32 Florida State.