In preparation for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, that will match the USC Gamecocks vs. the FSU Seminoles, we are provided insight on which ‘Noles player to watch for on offense from www.chantrant.com .
Do check out Chant Rant for your FSU blogging sports opinion.
Here is who he states us USC fans should keep a eye out for when FSU has the ball in the Chick-fil-a Bowl, take a read and see if you agree…
Offensive Player To Watch: E.J. Manuel, a very comfortable option at QB.
Surprise. FSU’s offensive player to watch isn’t even a starter. He’s backup QB E.J. Manuel, a redshirt sophomore whose patience will pay off next season when he inherits the signal-caller role. Why is he in the spotlight? Because chances are he’ll be the guy under center when FSU lines up against South Carolina.
The Noles best chance for a victory would be with senior Christian Ponder at QB. But his on-going throwing arm issues (elbow) may cause him to miss his final game in Garnet & Gold. Ponder had surgery a few weeks ago and doctors were optimistic he would be able to play in the bowl game — if he rested his arm. So E.J. Manuel has taken all the practice snaps the last few weeks, though the wraps are supposed to come off Ponder when the team gets to Atlanta.
It’s anybody’s guess if Ponder will be game-ready by kickoff on New Year’s Eve. However, Jimbo Fisher says he’d be “very comfortable” with E.J. starting. If so, it won’t be his first time. Manuel started four games last year after a nasty hit (compliments of your friends up the road in Clemson) ended Ponder’s season. FSU won three of those four games.
This season, Manuel’s had two starts. One was a winning effort against Clemson. The other a 288-yard passing performance in the ACC Championship game in a losing effort against Va. Tech.
The 6-4 Manuel has a strong arm and has shown he can scramble and even run the option. While Fisher and most FSU fans would prefer Ponder, Manuel is a proven option. And my guess would be 60-40 that E.J. will be the guy who takes the field on December 31st.
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