Florida State v Auburn

[billybud]

Jimbo runs a complex offense...the kids take a year or more to learn the plays and the calls....You don't change all of that for one game.

[billybud]

FSU's defenders said that it took all spring, all summer practice...and the first three to four games into the season before they really got their defensive calls down with a new scheme/coordinator.

[donovan]

Jimbo runs a complex offense...the kids take a year or more to learn the plays and the calls....You don't change all of that for one game.

I think that is true of most major programs. Coaches that try and change in mid stream are generally not successful, certainly not over a period of games. Everybody makes adjustments, the key is getting the players to execute, that is coaching. And now we know the Red Lightening will be back next year, no reason to not repeat.

[Spence]

Jimbo runs a complex offense...the kids take a year or more to learn the plays and the calls....You don't change all of that for one game.

No but you can change the signals. The play book from most schools doesn't change much from year to year. Even with a new coach.

[billybud]

We had a LB run off the field and tell the DC that he couldn't remember the signals...his mind froze up in the atmosphere of the NC game.

I can imagine the confusion of an offense receiving signals from Jimbo and the position coaches with only three weeks to get with the new signal system after several years of the old....

[Spence]

We had a LB run off the field and tell the DC that he couldn't remember the signals...his mind froze up in the atmosphere of the NC game.

I can imagine the confusion of an offense receiving signals from Jimbo and the position coaches with only three weeks to get with the new signal system after several years of the old....

Why wouldn't they change the signals every season? Most high schools change the signals every year. Not just on offense, both sides. The plays rarely change, but the signals change pretty regularly.

[donovan]

The evolution of signaling plays from the sideline has gone, in my lifetime, from only players could call plays and when substitutes came in the official would listen in on the huddle to make sure the sub was not bringing in the play...of course there was cheating! to modern day wireless communications between the coaches and players. (Remember NFL players have headset in their helmets...the green dot....) Since Urban Meyer has been at OSU there was some reporter that listened in on the communications during a game with Buffalo, I think and wrote about it.....how they get the calls to the field is unique to all teams. This is not just a simple, as in baseball, the pitcher catcher changing signals when a runner is on second or they think someone is on to them...this is highly sophisticated, even in high school. My point. Florida State won because they played better football when needed, not because Auburn employed James Bond or Fisher was on the CIA's or KGB's payroll..

Fisher may have changed signals and used a towel to hid his lips....window dressing....makes as good show. Remember Kelly using pictures, which he has brought into the NFL. It might all be misdirection. (Kelly started it because he believe Ohio State was cheating against them the previous year..)

Score more points than your opponent and you win.

PS In baseball if the batter looks at the catchers signal...he gets the chin chopper and the ump will call a strike no matter where it is...in baseball there are penalties imposed by players for violating the code of conduct....no need for instant review which is anything but instant. Dust off and then the trial.

[billybud]

NEWPORT BEACH, California -- Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher told reporters in Tuesday morning's post-BCS National Championship press conference that Auburn stole some of the Seminoles' signals on Monday night.

In the second half, Fisher instructed Florida State's assistants to block the signals with towels in the Seminoles' 34-31 win over Auburn to take home the BCS National Championship.

Fisher said sign-stealing -- and blocking those signs -- is all part of the game.

[donovan]

Chip Kelly believed Ohio State stole his signs, hence, the pictures. Not the point. If Fisher believe his teams first half performance was due to sign stealing, then that is why he makes zillions and I just prattle for free.

[Spence]

The difference in the second half - actually starting late in the first half was an interception by Florida State, a 100 yard run back by Florida State. Take those away and there would be no trophy. No amount of sign stealing by Auburn would change that. Other then that Florida State played close to the same against the Auburn defense. That isn't a shot against Florida State, it is because Auburn played well. I'm sure teams try to steal signs. They also try to predict what a coach will run next. If they do a good job, we call the other team predictable.


It was a good football game played by two good teams. Auburn came out with a chip on their shoulder and jumped out front. Florida State got past the early cobwebs and clawed their way back in the game. The 100 yard score on special teams and good defense sealed the game for Florida State. Two great teams, the best team took home the trophy. That is really all that needs to be said.

[donovan]

That is really all that needs to be said.

You can be sure that's not happening. From my perspective, FSU is the best team in the country. Their entire body of work belies any other conclusion. Coach Fisher learned from the best and has been able to convey dedication and drive to his team. The championship game was exciting and entertaining, I'm glad for whatever reason, because that is what I like to watch. I think that in the end, athleticism carried FSU to the win. One of areas of watching a game on TV I miss, is watching substitutions. You never get the feel of player changes. The announcers avoid it because frankly unless that is what you are concentrating on, you would miss the rest of the game. FSU's depth had a lot of playing time this year and if what I think is correct, the substituting on the lines, which is where it all happens was more than appeared on TV. Maybe not. Good game. How come the Seminoles don't use smoke signals?...just occurred to me.

[billybud]

Spence...a lot happened in that game that could have turned it either way.

....If Winston had not fumbled and left Auburn with a very short field to drive for a TD...

...If the 1st half field position wasn't so horribly bad for FSU...and thus punts left Auburn with good field position.

....If Auburn hadn't had a drive extended (and thus scored) when on a failed 3rd down an unsportsman like conduct was called on the Noles. It was Joyner on the sideline with the Auburn bench...and, as usual, the retaliator gets the flag.

....If FSU's guy running back an interception had not been leg whipped by a downed player.

etc., etc.

The real difference was that the FSU boys didn't give up when down 21-3 to the SEC Champ. They kept chopping wood. Outscored Auburn 31-10 for the rest of the game.

Kermit Whitfield (the true freshman who ran back the TD) is probably the fastest football player in the nation. He set the all time 3rd fastest high school 100 meter last year in high school. That was a designed play called by the Special Teams Coach (Break Left) that came to close to breaking loose earlier in the game.

[Spence]

The real difference was that the FSU boys didn't give up when down 21-3 to the SEC Champ. They kept chopping wood. Outscored Auburn 31-10 for the rest of the game.

I agree completely. It tells you a lot about how good they are and how well coached they are.

Donovan - I think Florida State is the best team in the country too. I don't think there is a question about it. I just think we all sold Auburn a little short ( I sold them a lot short) before the game. I never saw a team play this year that was as complete a team as Florida State was this season.

[Dossenator]

Flor St defense did not win them the game: special teams did. Auburn put up 31 and it should have been 41 (on Auburns first drive the QB under threw an open WR for a TD and Auburn missed a 30 yard FG). For goodness sakes Mason ran silly of Flor St defense (195 yards and 2 TD's).

Special teams accounted for 10 point swing in final score: Flor St return for a TD and Auburn missed FG. Both part of the game.

I did not see a Flor St team that was far superior to Auburn (in fact the stats show something way different):
1st downs: Flor State 19 and Auburn 25
3rd down efficiency: Flor State 2-12 and Auburn 10-18
Total yards: Flor State 385 and Auburn 449
Pass yards per attempt: Flor State 6.8 and Auburn 8.0
Rush yards per attempt: Flor State 4.8 and Auburn 4.4
Penalties: Flor State 8-60 and Auburn 5-38
Turnovers: Flor State 1 and Auburn 1
Auburn had 53 rushing attempts in the game!
Time of possession: Flor State 26:19 and Auburn 33:41

Stats show that Auburn played a better game then Flor State. However those stats do not take into account special teams and that is why Flor St won the game.

[billybud]

The stats also do not show that Auburn was held to 10 points in the second half while FSU gained 31.

Or that two Auburn TD's came off of broken signaling/coverages....Two defenders for three receivers leaving a guy wide open. The LB that was supposed to drop back in coverage had the signal backwards and thought that the other guy had it.

I thought that FSU and Winston came out and didn't play their A game but kept it going...Winston stopped bombing and started taking what was there.

The fake punt and run to keep a scoring drive going was crucial...As was Winston's long 1st down run on 3rd down to keep a drive going. It was a tale of two halfs. One in which FSU fumbled on a short fied giving Auburn a short drive to a TD, in which FSU had very poor field position where punts resulted in good field position for Auburn.

The 80 yard drive to close out te game using a two minute drill was the mark of a champion.

Auburn survived two games on last plays...this time FSU got it.

FSU completed 9-11 passes in the 4th for two TD's.