Yet, this Noles offense was quite scary last week against Jacksonville State as it toyed with losing another game but scored two late touch downs to get the win. This week, was different as Ponder played turnover free football and was the steady presence that the Noles needed to get in and out of Utah with a win. Ponder threw for 195 yards, but 2 TDs and even one rushing TD. FSU exploded with 23 points in the 2nd quarter, setting the tone for the game and putting them out front.

The defense actually played better than the final numbers appear. Giving up 28 points to the 7th ranked team in the nation is respectable, but also considering how efficiently they were able to score, the Cougars lined up more opportunities than perhaps they deserved. In fact, the much-beleaguered group of defensive backs were a bright spot. Bret Reed intercepted Max Hall for a pick 6, one of three INTs for Hall on the day.

The Seminoles are being investigated right now and could face losing as many at 14 wins – dropping Bobby Bowden significantly behind Joe Paterno in the race to outlive the other for the most wins in NCAA history.

Recently, Alabama is facing some serious allegations being brought forward by the NCAA as well and could face stiff penalties dealing with their program. What is interesting about Alabama is that they are currently ranked 6th in the polls, finishing as high as 4th last season. Losing an unspecified amount of wins between 2005 and 2007 over a free textbook “scandal” has not affected the current state of football at Alabama.

Florida State is appealing the allegations being brought forward by the NCAA, calling for the institution to use transparency in its investigation. The mysterious workings of the NCAA has some wondering what is really going on. That said, the Seminoles have until July 1st to form a rebuttal but with the fate of Alabama’s program being so steep, it seems the “Noles are in line for similar treatment.

How will this affect recruiting? Well, it may push Bobby Bowden into an “early” retirement as he will seemingly have been stripped of the chance to surpass JoPa. Jimbo Fisher is the designated head coach of the future for the program, so perhaps the recruiting may not fall off all that much. After all, most recruits coming to FSU know that Jimbo Fisher will be running the program and Bobby Bowden is mostly there as a figurehead.

Read More