Tennessee
(11-0 record; Phil Fulmer, 7th season) |
Florida State
(11-1 record; Bobby Bowden, 23rd season) |
School's Bowl Record: 21-17
Coach's Bowl Record: 4-2
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1998 Orange Bowl (lost to Nebraska 42-17)
Record in Fiesta Bowl: 0-1 (Last appearance 1992, lost to Penn State 42-17) |
School's Bowl Record: 16-8-2
Coach's Bowl Record: 16-4-1
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1998 Sugar Bowl (beat Ohio State 31-14)
Record in Fiesta Bowl: 2-1 (last appearance 1990, beat Nebraska 41-17) |
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Offensive Stud |
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Tee Martin, QB, So. (153-267, 2,164 yards, 19 TDs, 6 INTs passing; 103 carries, 287 yards, 7 TDs rushing): Really came into his own as a leader at the end of the season and, almost, making Vols fans forget Peyton Manning
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Peter Warrick, WR, Jr. (61 catches, 1,232 yards, 12 TDs): Simply put, one of college football's most exciting players
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Defensive Stud |
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Al Wilson, LB, Sr. (77 tackles, 5 forced fumbles): Despite an injury-plagued year, he was a unanimous All-SEC selection
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Corey Simon, DL, Jr. (85 tackles, 4 INTs): Leading vote-getter on the All-ACC defensive squad
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Player to Watch |
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Travis Henry, RB, So. (176 carries, 970 yards, 7 TDs): Has picked most of the rushing load after the injury to Jamal Lewis
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Sebastian Janikowski, K, So. (27-32 FGs, 42-43 XPs, 123 points): Won the Lou Groza Award for the nation's best kicker
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Key Stats |
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Even without Lewis, the Vols are 17th in the nation in rushing at 211.3 yards per game
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No. 1 rated defense in the nation at 214.8 yards per game. The next highest allows almost 258 yards per game.
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Surprise Stat |
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Sixth in the nation in turnover differential at plus-16
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The 'Noles have been intercepted just three times after N.C. State picked off six passes against them in the second game of the season.
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1998 Turning Point |
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Finally ending a five-game losing streak to Florida with a thrilling 20-17 overtime victory.
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Even without starting QB Chris Weinke, the 'Noles had enough, especially on defense to shut down in-state rivals Florida 23-12 in the season finale.
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Key to Victory |
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Trying to move its occasionally erratic offense against best defense in the country.
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Getting Peter Warrick the ball as much as possible, even lining him up as a quarterback.
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Outlook |
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The Vols are undefeated but they may not be the best team in the nation. They'll have problems against FSU's defense as well as with Peter Warrick. However, they seem to be a team of destiny this year (see Florida, Arkansas games).
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The 'Noles are playing well at the right time and, other than at quarterback, seem to have all the tools to win the national title.
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