News:Florida State's defense has 16 sacks through half the season, after getting to the quarterback 41 times in 2011.
Analysis: The 16 sacks is still a solid number, good enough for 16th nationally, but this unit is clearly being hampered by the season-ending loss of Brandon Jenkins in the season opener. They're likely a mad bunch coming off of last week's loss to North Carolina State, and make for a nice play against Boston College on Saturday.
News:Florida State shut out Savannah State on Saturday.
Analysis: That follows up a Week 1 in which the Noles allowed just three to Murray State. The schedule for Florida State has been simply pitiful to this point, but fantasy owners aren't complaining. This week's game against Wake Forest is a tougher task, but most owners should keep the Noles active.
News: Defensive end Brandon Jenkins will miss the remainder of the season due to a foot injury, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Analysis: Jenkins was a preseason All-American, so this is clearly a huge blow to one of the nation's top defenses. The 'Noles are deep along their line however, and figure to remain a top option.
News: Florida State has suspended defensive back Greg Reid and linebacker Telvin Smith for Saturday's game for unspecified violations of team rules.
Analysis: Nice to see head coach Jimbo Fisher graduated from the Bobby Bowded School of Discipline. The two starters won't play against Charleston Southern, but are expected back for the September 17th showdown with Oklahoma.
News:Analysis: Florida State allowed 37 points against North Carolina Saturday while totaling five sacks. Despite getting lit up by T.J. Yates, expect the Seminoles to perform better against Clemson. Just also beware that a Christian Ponder-less offense might give the Seminoles defense some shorter fields than it'd like to see.
News:Analysis: While BC RB Montel Harris had a huge game, the FSU defense really kept the passing game in check, not allowing the BC offense to score a TD. They did not force any turnovers but were able to register four sacks. They've got a potentially tough matchup against the higher-powered passing attack of NC State next (Oct. 28th) but FSU's defense has become an elite fantasy option.
News:Analysis: FSU continues to play great defense on a weekly basis, this time against in-state rival Miami (FL). They held them just 17 points, while forcing two turnovers (one fumble, one interception) and registering one sack. Boston College has been struggling mightily on offense as of late so they present a very favorable matchup for a defense that is running on all cylinders.
News:Analysis: FSU's defense looks to be one of the best in the country, forcing two interceptions and registering six sacks against Virginia. The defense is playing at a high level but with Miami (FL) coming up next, they could fall back down to Earth. That said, Miami's QB Jacory Harris has a tendency to turn the ball over so FSU will have their chances. You could do worse but the match-up has the potential to do some damage.
News:Analysis: FSU's defense was superb against Wake Forest, pitching a shutout while forcing two turnovers and recording six sacks. They've put together a string of good games but Virginia has the potential to put a dent in continuing the trend. You could do worse, though.
News:Analysis: Florida State's defense came up huge against BYU, not only holding them to just 10 points but they were able to get tremendous pressure on the QB, registering eight sacks. They also forced two turnovers (one interception, one fumble recovery). It was a great game for the FSU's defense but you should be fairly cautious this week as Wake Forest has the potential to put up a fair amount of points.
News: Linebacker Glen Stanley will join the Florida State football team, ESPN reports.
Analysis: As a JUCO prospect in 2009, Stanley was one of the best linebackers in the class. He has excellent athleticism and should be an instant standout for Florida State. Given the (really) bad situation fellow linebacker Nigel Carr is in, this is spectacular news for a Florida State defense that has two elite prospects at linebacker in Stanley and Jeff Luc.
FSU Linebacker Carr Charged with Multiple Felonies
News: Florida State linebacker Nigel Carr was arrested Sunday on charges of burglary, credit card theft, property damage and fraud, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Not good. We have to believe Carr is a goner at FSU. Carr is a former big-time recruit who was one of the team's main hopes of replacing the departed Dekoda Watson, so this hurts an already highly questionable Seminoles defense. Look elsewhere for defense options in the ACC.
News: The Seminoles let Florida rack up 545 total yards, 311 of which came on the ground, and convert 10-of-13 third downs in Saturday's 37-10 loss.
Analysis: FSU did force two fumbles in the game, but was simply overmatched by the top team in the country.
News: The 'Noles defense spent 37-of-60 minutes on the field and allowed 410 yards in Saturday's 29-26 win over Maryland.
Analysis: FSU did force a turnover, but was expected to fare much better against Maryland. They will really have their hands full next week against No. 1 Florida.
News: The Seminoles defense intercepted two passes from Wake Forest QB Riley Skinner, but otherwise could not hold the Deacons, who totalled 454 yards of offense, as FSU defeated Wake 41-28 on Saturday.
Analysis: FSU struggled equally against the run and the pass on Saturday. They play Maryland in Week 12.
News: DT Budd Thacker (knee) is probable and CB Dionte Allen (thumb) is questionable for Saturday's contest with Wake Forest, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Thacker has missed three games this season, but recorded 14 tackles in the six games he played. Allen has also missed three games this year and has 2.5 TFL and three pass deflections. Both would be a big help against Wake Forest's explosive offense.
News: The 'Noles surrendered 483 yards of offense, split evenly between the pass (242 yards) and the run (241 yards), in a 40-24 defeat against Clemson.
Analysis: The pass defense was solid, but the inability to stop the run is certainly a major concern. FSU did force two turnovers, including Jamie Robinson returning an INT 52 yards for a touchdown. FSU plays NC State next.
News: DT Budd Thacker (knee) is probable for Saturday's game with Clemson, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The 'Noles defense will welcome Thacker's presence with open arms as they try to stop C.J. Spiller. Thacker has 14 tackles in five games this season.
News: The Seminoles intercepted two passes and forced one fumble, but struggled to stop the NC State offense in a 45-42 win Saturday.
Analysis: The ACC's worst defense allowed better than 500 yards of total offense, including an average of five yards per rush. That will certainly be an issue heading into their Week 10 matchup at Clemson.
News: CB Patrick Robinson (ankle) may be questionable, but S Korey Mangum (shoulder) and DT Justin Mincey (knee) are probable for Saturday's contest against NC State, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: LB Dekoda Watson also expects to start this week, after playing sparingly agianst UNC last week. The Wolfpack are averaging 390 yards and nearly 32 points per game.
News: The 'Noles defense surrendered 333 total yards (238 rush/95 pass), but recorded an interception in the game and a sack to seal the 30-27 win over UNC.
Analysis: Three sacks in the game helped keep Tar Heels QB TJ Yates off balance, but FSU struggled to stop the run all night. The win, not necessarily the numbers, will give FSU a boost before taking on NC State on October 31.
News: CB Patrick Robinson (ankle), Xavier Rhodes (thumb), and safety Korey Mangum (shoulder) are questionable for Thursday's game with UNC, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Analysis: Injury reports list nine Seminoles as out for either Thursday or the season, including CB Dionte Allen (thumb) and DT Budd Thacker (knee). Also questionable is DT Justin Mincey (knee) and LB Dekoda Watson (groin).
News: LB Maurice Harris is done for the season after suffering a season ending neck injury in Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: An MRI revealed Harris suffered a "cervical burner". He started one game and played in all six, recording 15 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.
