Welcome to another edition of NCAA 2008 Predictions. So far NCAA is 1 out of 2, predicting losses against CSU and ASU. Will it be right a 3rd time? Let’s find out.
The game starts off with a slow, almost painful drive by CU. Our lone 5 star recruit from last year finally gets some playing time and shows why with the best blocking performance from any of the linemen. Despite FSU getting into the backfield multiple times on blitz packages, CU moves up the field, converting multiple 3rd downs. It comes down to 4th and goal from the one yard line. Instead of trickery, Coach Hawkins calls a QB sneak and Cody burrows into the endzone to give CU the lead!
FSU starts off the next drive with verve, not showing any weakness in the altitude. They never reach 3rd down and score on a swing pass to their running back.
CU then goes three and out as FSU stones Charles for no gain twice and then bats down a Hawkins pass (sadly, that is becoming a trend).
FSU then scores in 3 plays with a beautiful touch pass from Weatherford into the corner beats Ryan Walters as Wheatley is unable to make it back after playing press coverage in the cover 2 defense.
The quarter ends with a promising drive by CU being ended by penalties. 14 to 7 FSU. The rest below the fold.


The second quarter starts off much slower than the first. FSU drives down into the CU redzone using a power running game, but Weathford throws a BAD pick to Terrence Wheatley after Walters gets in his face. Wheatley is knocked out of bounds at the FSU 30.
CU gets one first down via a nifty dodge by Little Hawk as he escapes a sack and throws it to Mr. McKnight at the FSU 10. On the next play, our five star Offensive linemen finds out that despite being 6’8″, he cannot block 3 men at once as a cornerback comes into Cody and strips the ball. Hugh Charles eventually catches the FSU player at the CU 10, but comes off the field limping after the play. He has reinjured his hamstring! The coaches pronounce him out for the rest of the game.
On the next play, FSU bangs it in for 7 off a hard run from their half back.
With things starting to look a little bit desperate, CU promptly ignores their running game with 5 minutes left in the 2nd half. They try some screen passes, but one gets the feeling that CU is fighting against an avalanche as FSU sends blitz package after blitz package at little Hawk. Despite the difficulties, CU won’t give up and gets to the 20 yard line. In the end, Josh smith makes an acrobatic grab and races INTO THE ENDZONE FOR A TOUCHDOWN WITH 18 SECONDS LEFT! But wait, there is a flag. Mr. Slow White Guy Dusty Sprague is flagged for a clip block at the 10. CU ends up settling for a field goal. The half ends, 21 to 10 FSU.
The third quarter is half over before CU gets the ball back as FSU goes for it on 4th and 2 at the CU 5. Dizon and Terrence make a huge stop on a sweep play as they meet at the hapless running back for a loss of 2. FSU’s 15 play drive ends on a sour note with nothing to show for it but 8 minutes of clock.
CU then moves down the field with some smart passing by Cody as Josh Smith, Scotty McKnight, and Byron Ellis use some nifty screen plays to gain yards in large chunks. The drive ends with Ellis using some excellent down field blocking by an angry Dusty Sprague to get into the endzone.
The teams trade three and outs (CU has now got 33 yards on 20 attempts, with 10 attempts for 10 yards by Cody running for his life), and the quarter ends. 21 to 17 FSU.
The crowd roars as FSU is pinned back onto their own 5 by some solid tackling from our special teams. They can feel the upset! FSU is able to get out of their hole with some power running against a tired CU defense. However, FSU is unable to convert on 3rd down after getting a good chunk of yards. The punt pins CU on their own 3!
The next play is a heartbreaker. A dropped pass by Patrick Williams (more of a tip really) on 3rd down results in an INTERCEPTION and FSU runs it back 12 yards for a touchdown.
CU tries and tries to get going, but little hawk is unable to find a rhythm and his offensive line fails to protect him as FSU blitzes seemingly their whole team at times, including the guys on the sideline.
CU ends up losing 28 to 17 as Hawk is intercepted with 4 minutes left and FSU runs out the clock.
Dammit. I dislike this game. Every game it predicts us to lose!

Related posts:

  1. NCAA 2008 Prediction: Another Close one!
  2. NCAA 2008 Prediction: Does the Home Range make a difference?
  3. Pregame Prediction by NCAA 2008