FSU Football: Most Important Games All Time After The Bye Week
By Brad Johnson
Post-bye week matchups can be incredibly important. Historically, what are some of FSU Football’s most important post-bye week matchups?
The loneliest weekend for a college football fan is their team’s bye week. Yes, there are other top games to watch, but the enthusiasm just isn’t the same as watching your beloved school. However, coaching staffs find the bye week very beneficial in gaining momentum for the remainder of the season, while the players are given the opportunity to rest their battered bodies.
FSU is preparing for an epic showdown with the highly ranked Clemson Tigers, led by Gainesville, GA native Deshaun Watson, and they have compiled quite a record in games after the bye week. 23-10 is the Seminoles record since 1991, including winning seven of their last nine games following a week off.
Here are a few of Florida State’s most important historical matchups coming out of a bye week.
November 12th, 2011: Florida State 23 Miami 19
Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher loves participating in rivalry games, especially after his team has been humbled in the game prior to their bye week. The annual matchup between Florida State and the Miami Hurricanes has brought some of the craziest moments ever seen in college football. Even the casual fan expects fireworks to take place when these two teams meet on a football field.
In 2011, the play of their special teams (Greg Reid’s 83-yard punt return and Dustin Hopkins’ three field goals) spurned FSU onto victory over the Canes 23-19. The Seminoles held their hated rival to one score in the first half, which was Miami’s lowest point total for the year. The Hurricanes couldn’t overcome three turnovers, but their offense did score two late touchdowns in the final quarter to make the game somewhat interesting.
September 29th, 2007: Florida State 21 Alabama 14
The 2007 season didn’t bring much joy to Florida State fans but defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in Jacksonville was one of the few exceptions. Backup quarterback Xavier Lee came off the bench to replace an ineffective Drew Weatherford, and threw for 224 yards, connecting with wide receiver De’Cody Fagg for two touchdown passes. The victory was extra special for Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden, who secured his first win in four tries against his favorite team as a child growing up in Alabama.
Afterward, he joked that it will be emotional for him going back to his hometown of Birmingham in the offseason. Finally, Bowden would have the pleasure to say “we whipped y’all” before teeing off with his Alabama buddies. It was the first meeting between the schools since 1974, which saw Bama score a safety and field goal in the final minutes to defeat FSU 8-7.
September 28th, 1991: Florida State 51 Michigan 31
The Florida State Seminoles outgained and overpowered the third-ranked Michigan Wolverines into the ground in a 51-31 victory. It was the most points scored by a Wolverines opponent since 1958. The Seminoles maintained a frenetic pace offensively that kept the Wolverines defense off balance all game long.
Of their six offensive scoring drives, FSU had five that lasted less than two and half minutes. The Seminoles defense confused Michigan and forced them into four turnovers, including on the game’s second play from scrimmage, when cornerback Terrell Buckley intercepted Wolverines quarterback Elvis Grbac’s errant throw for a 40-yard touchdown return.