2011 Champs Sports Bowl

Champs Sports Bowl – 5:30pm 12/29 Orlando, FL Predicted Finish:  Notre Dame 17 vs. Florida State 24 This is the battle of “What-Could-Have-Beens.” Notre Dame was supposed to take the next step and become that pass-happy powerhouse that we were all accustomed to under Chip Kelly. We didn’t see it. In fact, the Fighting Irish did not settle on their QB until just before their bye week, half-way through the season. The defense kept them in games, but their offense often times failed to win them. The ‘Noles on the other hand saw one of the largest improvements in overall defense in recent years, but their inept offense never seemed to be able to take advantage of the favorable situations that the defense put them in. With the combination of numerous injuries, the inability to run the ball, and QB accuracy issues, this was one of the worst offenses FSU has had under Jimbo Fisher’sdirections. Both teams come to this math-up with 8-4 records. Notre Dame has a very clear advantage in runni...