Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. Florida State

Teams: Kentucky vs. Florida State
Date: Dec. 31, 2007 at 4 p.m. Eastern
Location: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

Analysis
Two teams that have been plagued all season by inconsistency meet in Nashville in what could be one of the most unpredictable bowl matchups of the season. Florida State was never able to establish any sure footing this season; key wins over Alabama, Boston College and Maryland were followed by disappointing losses at the hands of Miami, Virginia Tech and Florida. Kentucky jumped to a 6–1 start that included a win over top-ranked LSU, only to collapse with a 1–4 finish capped by a four-overtime loss to Tennessee.

Kentucky, with experienced playmaker Andre’ Woodson at the helm, would seem to have an edge in offensive talent and experience. Before the late-season swoon, Woodson was a top-tier Heisman candidate, and he finished the season with 36 touchdown passes, including five against Florida and six against Tennessee. Woodson’s counterpart, FSU’s Drew Weatherford, has had another up-and-down campaign, although he has thrown only one interception all season, and he sliced up the Boston College defense for a season-high 354 passing yards.

Defensively, the clear edge lies with Florida State. The Cats have been porous all season, with their weaknesses showing up at the most inopportune times, in close losses to Florida and Tennessee. Florida State has been opportunistic, harassing BC’s Matt Ryan into a three-interception performance and shutting down Alabama early in the season.

So which team will salvage its season in Music City? The Cats’ offense has been reliably productive, while the Seminole offense has been reliable only in its unreliability. The edge lies with Rich Brooks & Co.

Breakdown: Kentucky
Campus Location: Lexington, Ky.
Distance to Nashville: 213 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 7–5
2007 Season: 7–5, 3–5 SEC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 52 (157)
Pass Offense: 24 (282)
Scoring Offense: 15 (37)
Rush Defense: 92 (190)
Pass Defense: 21 (200)
Scoring Defense: 80 (30)
Turnover Margin: 47 (0.08)

Additional Notes:
Woodson threw for at least 218 yards in every game this season, posting a high of 430 passing yards in the loss to Tennessee … Kentucky’s win over top-ranked LSU was the first regular-season loss by a top-ranked team since 2003.

Breakdown: Florida State
Campus Location: Tallahassee, Fla.
Distance to Nashville: 493 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 20–13–2
2007 Season: 7–5, 4–4 ACC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 96 (121)
Pass Offense: 47 (239)
Scoring Offense: 90 (23)
Rush Defense: 22 (114)
Pass Defense: 73 (236)
Scoring Defense: 31 (22)
Turnover Margin: 32 (0.33)

Additional Notes:
Since a remarkable 14-game unbeaten streak in bowl games from 1982-95, Florida State has gone 5–6 in its last 11 bowl appearances … Florida State’s Bobby Bowden holds a two game lead over Joe Paterno in coaching victories, 373 to 371. Bowden has taken the ‘Noles to bowl games in 26 consecutive seasons.

Prediction: Kentucky by 5

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