Florida (The State of) Football

The title would seem to give this post away. Yes we're looking at the tp 10 non-conference games for the state schools.  1) September 3: LSU vs. Florida State (in Orlando) Is this a playoff preview in early September? It could be, it's not fair from the realm of reality that both of these teams will be in the CFP picture come mid-November. Last year's game in New Orleans, won 24-23 by FSU, was a time of transition for both programs. The Seminoles were just starting to find their way under Mike Norvell and went on to win 10 games. LSU and first-year coach Brian Kelly were figuring each other out and the Tigers still managed to win the SEC West Division and destroy Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.  This time there are no secrets. Neither team will be caught by surprise. LSU will have one of the best offensive fronts in the country and FSU has the defensive line to match. It's strength-on-strength up and down the rosters. This game should live up to the hype.  2) August 31: Flor...

This wasn't as hard as putting together the Group of Five team, but there were definitely some tough decisions to make and some areas (wide receiver, linebacker) that lacked numbers. Some positions had three players representing them and others had two because of short depth.  There were also some interesting observations -- Illinois, North Carolina and Vanderbilt had the productive players on the trenches and it shows on the team. Florida high school alums are everywhere across the nation -- even in Texas schools.  So where does this team finish? Top 25? Top 10? Playoffs? National champions? Let me know. The offense is still 11 personnel with three-wide, a tight end and a running back. I added a couple of return specialists as well. QB: Michael Penix Jr., Washington (Tampa Bay Tech); Jeff Sims, Nebraska (Sandalwood) RB: Raheim Sanders, Arkansas (Rockledge); C.J. Donaldson, West Virginia (Gulliver Prep); Treshaun Ward, Kansas State (Tampa Bay Tech) WR: Ja'Corey Brooks, Alab...

So for my next project I have three "All-CFB" teams coming at you. the first of those teams is an All-Group of Five team of non-Florida programs (no USF, FAU or FIU) with the players are coming from Florida high schools. In most cases I won't use IMG Academy unless the player is from the state and got started at a Florida high school before transferring (hence Dontae Lucas).  Every team will be consistent. There will be a first-team and second-team for every position (except offensive tackle in this case because I couldn't deem four that were worthy).  The offense runs 11 personnel, so it's one-back and one tight end with three wide. The defense is a base nickle package with three down linemen, a stand-up edge rusher, two linebackers, two outside corners, two safeties and a nickelback. There's also a return specialist. Enjoy. Share with your friends. Leave comments. Whatever. OFFENSE (11 Personnel) QB: Michael Pratt, Tulane (Deerfield Beach); Austin Reed, West...