Thursday’s Pick (11-4 over last 2 weeks): The Ghost of Thursdays Past

FSU (+3) v. UNC:  Was a time when FSU ruled the world relatively speaking, at least the world north of Coral Gables.  Many won’t believe this, but it’s true.  We here at SNL vividly recall numerous ACC beat-downs meted out by the ‘Noles, and few more handed to our beloved Gators. 

Today, we here at SNL laugh and laugh some more at the futility of FSU football, which is like a turtle on its back about now.  Naturally, it is not lost upon us that this would be funnier if FSU wasn’t getting a little laugh of its own by crushing Florida’s strength-of-schedule with each humiliating loss (and some victories).  Still, it’s hard to not to empathize with the ‘Noles, at least for those who suffered through the Zook era, and Bowden remains the affable, grandfather that many of us never had.

None of which has a damn thing to do with tonight’s game, which pits former warden of Da’U penitentiary, Butch “I’ll find a way to make you eligible” Davis, against the affable old feller described above.  True to form, the warden has a solid defense, full of criminal types capable of causing considerable duress amongst you suburbanites and your uptight wives.  Problem is, Davis has yet to find a QB, and lacks the depth of criminals necessary to overcome this shortcoming on the offensive side of the ball.

FSU, conversely, has had a couple of weeks to bask in the implosion of their program, which has been a frightful site even for avowed ‘Nole haters.  The fans are sick of Bowden, who now says he will be around for a “few years,” and their coach-in-waiting, Fisher, has shown nothing to indicate that he is the answer.  Even so, ponderous sorts will ultimately find their way to the fact that Ponder is an above-average QB and ‘Noles offense is, in fact, pretty capable when it wants to be, which should be the case tonight.  Look for the ‘Noles to rally around Bowden tonight, and win this game outright-but take the 3 points for good measure.  FSU +3. 

-So Sayeth the Shepherd