Unbeaten ‘Bama looks to stay perfect in SEC title game

The Florida State Seminoles (8-3) are coming from a 45-14 win over the Syracuse Orange in Week 12.

The Seminoles’ chances are greatly enhanced if junior tailback Dalvin Cook busts a few big plays and turns in an overall performance somewhere in the neighborhood of his season average of 133.4 yards per game.

Florida State (9-3) was ranked fourth in the preseason and was expected to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Walker has never been prone to beating his chest and has been praised throughout his career at FSU by coach Jimbo Fisher for his team-first attitude.

But Cook said his production has increased as the FSU offense has improved, noting that the Seminoles have scored 90 points in their last two games. Or go more than 25 yards on a play. Offensively the Gators are a mess this season, the 25 points per game is just 92nd in the country. He failed to gain 100 yards in each of his first three games this season but has more than made up for the slow start. Florida lost last year’s game 27-2 in Gainesville.

“Against a team of that quality in this type of environment if you don’t get stops but two out of 13 times during that stretch when it went from 44-44 to when they got the lead, it’s tough to win”, Groce said.

Cook became the school’s career rushing leader in the November 20 win at Syracuse.

With Texas hiring Tom Herman from Houston and LSU promoting interim coach Ed Orgeron, it became apparent, and official, that Fisher is staying at FSU, just as he said he would.

Cook refused to say if this was his final home game or if he has already chose to declare early for the National Football League draft.

With 4.6 seconds left, trailing by one, Coach Leonard Hamilton drew up a lovely play to get Issac a wide-open look at a layup.

With both teams unable to score on each one of their first drives, the Gators looked to get on the board first, but quarterback Austin Appleby fumbled the ball while being sacked and the Seminoles recovered.

Give it another FSU drive and they’d make it 24-6 after a 23 yard rushing touchdown on third down from RB Freddy Stevenson.

“The Seminole Tribe of Florida approached us about this program and we are honored and excited to wear these unique uniforms”, Hamilton said.

OUR PREDICTION: The Gators pulled off the upset last week against LSU and their defense should keep them in the game early. “We couldn’t block up front and we couldn’t protect”.

Florida State was able to get some success in the passing game on their next possession as Francois hit Travis Rudolph streaking over the middle for a 46-yard TD completion.

Florida’s inability to create consistent offense wound up being its undoing.

Florida State has found another way to celebrate its fourth state title in a row over Miami and Florida.

“They’re so deep”, Dunphy said about Florida State.

Jonathan Isaac and Dwayne Bacon continue to come through for Florida State. Running back Dalvin Cook, the league’s top vote-getter, and offensive tackle Roderick Johnson earned First Team honors for a second-straight season, while senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker and sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden earned First Team honors for the first time.

Illinois: The Illini came into the tournament having won four of five. The 12-0 Broncos are ranked 13.