Depending on which side you ask, Florida State could not move the ball or it didn’t attempt to move the ball in its generic victory at Florida a year ago.
The Seminoles had just 95 yards, easily the lowest offensive total in coach Jimbo Fisher’s tenure, but its total on the bottom line was what counted most: Florida State 21, Florida 7.
Fisher was more conservative than the Tea Party that day. He clearly was not going to risk a mistake that would have allowed Florida to seize the momentum.
And while Fisher took criticism for his play calling, his counterpart, foe and friend clearly understood.
“Jimbo’s a guy that sees the big picture,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said this week. “They didn’t feel like we could move the ball consistently, so they played to their defense. They did what they were supposed to do, what good coaches do.”
Fisher and Muschamp meet for the second time as rival coaches Saturday as No. 10 Florida State hosts No. 6 Florida (3:30, ABC) at Doak Campbell Stadium. With both teams 10-1 and clinging to national championship game hopes, this clearly is the biggest game in this series since 2000, the last time they met with both teams in the top 10.
While this rivalry needs no subplots to enhance the passions on both sides, it does include the intriguing parallels between the two coaches — friends who have been on the same staff, own property together, took similar career paths to their current jobs and now have picked the same season to put their programs back in national spotlight.
“They both came as highly regarded assistants, taking over high profile programs,” said Lou Holtz, an ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame coach. “Both of them have done a nice job recruiting. They both have their programs back on track.”
They are young (Fisher, 47; Muschamp, 41), aggressive and part of the new-wave, high-technology age of coaches. While Fisher can be fiery, he does not reach the intensity level of Muschamp, who is trying to tone down his death-grip stares and “Coach Boom” reputation.
Fisher has never been photographed with blood streaming down his face as he talked to his players as Muschamp was while at Texas.
Fisher is 29-9 in three seasons and has led FSU to two ACC title games, something the Seminoles accomplished once in the previous five years.
Florida State, which was 7-6 in three of the four years before Fisher took over, will establish a school record for victories if it defeats Florida, Georgia Tech in the ACC title game and wins its bowl game.
Muschamp, in his second season, is 17-7 and has turned a program that finished 7-6 last year into one that is a victory from being assured a spot in a BCS bowl.
While both coaches have their programs back in the title hunt, Fisher has done so by keeping the alumni and fan base just a bit more satisfied.
Fisher is 5-0 against FSU’s two biggest rivals, Miami and Florida; Muschamp has yet to beat Georgia and Florida State, going 0-3.
“There are a lot of things that when you take this job you need to do, and you need to beat your rivals,” Muschamp said.
“These games are important to your program and where you want to go down the road,” Fisher said. “These are great games that the fan base wants to win and that you love to compete in.”
Fisher and Muschamp met in 1995 when both were on Terry Bowden’s Auburn staff. In 2001, Fisher recommended Muschamp for an opening on Nick Saban’s LSU staff. The two became close (even went in as partners on a Panama City beach house they still share) and began forging their own identities as assistants, Fisher on offense, Muschamp on defense.
Both prepared for their current jobs as a coach in waiting, the only two in the country at the time, Fisher at FSU and Muschamp at Texas.
“Jimbo and Will are friends because they are very much alike,” said Keith Jones, a Fox Sports South analyst and former FSU defensive back. “They both are high-energy. Both are tireless workers. Both are not afraid to surround themselves with good people, and they both can recruit.”
While Fisher was replacing a legend in Bobby Bowden, whose teams slipped in his final four seasons, Muschamp took over for Urban Meyer, who brought two national championships to Gainesville but bailed as the talent level began eroding.
“The cupboard was definitely bare when he got here,” said Brady Ackerman, a Gators radio analyst and former running back. “There was some good front-line talent, but you’ve got to have depth to go through the SEC. I did expect some improvement this year, but I don’t think anyone thought they would win 10 games except the coaches.”
Fisher was forced to find a coordinator to remake a defense that has sagged to 108th nationally the year before he took over, and Mark Stoops now has the Seminoles No. 1 in the county in total defense. The backbone of Florida’s program remained its defense under Muschamp. The Gators were No. 8 in the country last season and enter Saturday as the fourth-ranked defense.
That defense has allowed Florida to overcome three consecutive sloppy offensive outings against inferior opponents.
“They compete in the game. That’s what great teams do,” Fisher said. “When the running game ain’t going, find a way to pass. When the passing game ain’t going, find a way to do it on defense, find a way to do it on special teams.
“When you’re very well-rounded, very well-coached, you find enough plays to win a game.”
While Holtz believe both programs once again will be permanent national fixtures, he believes Florida State is in position to extend its two-game winning streak in the series.
“Florida State is a little bit ahead of Florida right now because they are a complete team.” Holtz said. “EJ Manuel is a more complete quarterback, the offensive line is more mature. … they are a more mature offense.
“What I look at is which team is easier to defend, and I think Florida is easier to defend.”
— Staff Writer Jason Lieser contributed to this report.
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