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Still Respected: Deacons' Grobe says Seminoles are formidable
Deacons' Grobe says Seminoles are formidable
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Florida State’s Tony Carter returned a punt for a touchdown against Western Carolina.
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Published: September 17, 2008
William Shakespeare said it best, as is so often the case, but Coach Jim Grobe of No. 18 Wake Forest made a pretty good stab expressing at the same sentiment in yesterday's weekly news conference.
Grobe was asked if he was surprised to see Florida State vault from unranked to No. 24 in the Associated Press poll after walloping vastly overmatched opponents Western Carolina and Chattanooga in its first two games of the season.
Shakespeare, through Antonio in The Tempest, observed that "… whereof what's past is prologue."
Grobe, who has a master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Virginia, put it a bit differently.
"The best indicator of future performance is past performance," Grobe said. "Obviously they've got a tradition of winning and I think people expect that.
"So when they are winning, I don't think it shocks anybody. And when you look at what they did against Western Carolina and Chattanooga, even though they were lower-division teams, you can't help but be impressed by how athletic and talented they are."
While others look at Florida State and see troubles, and even, at times, turmoil, Grobe sees talent. Even with the loss of around 10 to 12 players to suspension for academic misconduct, the Seminoles quickly got Grobe's attention once he turned on the video from their 69-0 win over Western Carolina and their 46-7 flogging of Chattanooga.
"The one thing that is unmistakable is Florida State has great players," Grobe said. "You can't help but be amazed when you look at the talent on the field, their ability to run and all those things.
"This is a very, very talented football team."
Christian Ponder, a redshirt sophomore, has replaced senior Drew Weatherford at quarterback and has performed well enough in the first two games to complete 24 of 39 passes for 379 yards and six touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception.
Grobe said that Ponder appears more mobile than Weatherford, but he's not certain how much the offense will change.
"I'm sure they didn't show some things against Western Carolina and against Chattanooga," Grobe said. "Obviously they didn't need to put everything in. So there will be some things we haven't seen that we're going to face Saturday, for sure.
"But it seems like their thoughts with Ponder are similar to what they had with Weatherford."
The Seminoles will get two players back from suspension, receiver Preston Parker and defensive tackle Budd Thacker. Parker led Florida State last season with 62 catches, but Grobe said that the Seminoles haven't exactly been lacking for talented receivers with Parker sidelined.
Redshirt freshman Bert Reed has caught seven passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Greg Carr has caught six for 114 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Taiwan Easterling has caught six for 59 yards. Junior Corey Surrency has caught five for 101 yards. Junior Rod Owens has caught five for 70 yards.
"This is the most talented group of receivers they've ever had," Grobe said. "And we felt that way watching them against Western Carolina and Chattanooga, and then you throw Parker back in the mix.
"They've just got a group of guys who every one of them scare you to death. They're all playmakers. With the talent they have on offense, your veteran players had better play like veterans or it won't be fun."
Grobe said he expects no player on the depth chart to miss Saturday's game, though defensive tackle Michael Carter missed Monday's practice with a cold. Cornerback Alphonso Smith appears, for the most part, recovered from a sprained neck that hampered him against Mississippi.
Defensive tackle Boo Robinson was hobbled against Ole Miss by a sprained ankle, but had recovered enough to run wind sprints in Monday's practice.
Few coaches in the ACC have been as complimentary of Grobe as Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who will coach his 499th game on Saturday. Bowden is tied with Penn State's Joe Paterno with 375 victories, most in college football history.
While he likes Bowden, Grobe said he isn't anxious to renew the acquaintance on Saturday.
"I never look forward to that," Grobe said. "It's nice to see him, but I'd rather see him at the ACC meetings.
"It's a little easier to be cordial and enjoy our visits. Every time you see this guy you just know you're in for a tough day."
■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com.
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