SHADES OF OLD: Seminoles Shake Alabama, Show Shades of '90s

Bobby Bowden was born in Alabama. He met his wife there and even played quarterback for the Crimson Tide. Bear Bryant, the man who put the Alabama program on the map, has always been Bowden's idol. A bronzed trophy of the legend sits in Bowden's office.

The ties that bind these teams are numerous, and they don't stop there.

Florida State's defensive coordinator, Mickey Andrews, played wide receiver and defensive back for the Crimson Tide. And Florida State's offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher, was the same for Nick Saban at LSU.

As of this moment, Saban has not coached a Florida State.

Not yet anyway.

Both programs have seen better days. Both look to return to national prominence. Saban has seemingly breathed new life into Alabama, leading them to a thrilling win against Arkansas and nearly beating a good Georgia team in overtime. Many, including myself, had expected 'Bama to whoop up on the Seminoles. But the Seminoles did some obvious tweaking during the bye-week.

As long as he's been in the game, Bowden doesn't come across many firsts, but this was his first time coaching against 'Bama. And he did so in Jacksonville in front of 85,412 fans—that's the largest crowd to ever watch a football game in that city, surpassing the attendance at any of the annual Florida-Georgia games and the 2004 Super Bowl.

Early on it was clear that the 'Noles were working with a new package of plays when frosh QB D'Vontrey Robinson made an appearance. Drew Weatherford took the majority of the snaps, but couldn't manage to put any points on the board. And just when the clouds filled the skies for Florida State, Xavier Lee's presence peeked in like the soothing sunshine after years of bad Weatherford.

The 6'4, 235-pound redshirt junior with a cannon arm put an obvious spark in the Seminoles' offense. He immediately led the offense downfield for a score. Lee led the Seminoles to three touchdowns in the second half, and Florida State's defense stopped a late rally for the Crimson Tide.
Lee completed 12 of 19 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He rushed for a team-high 59 more yards, garnering the nickname Lee-bow.

But I'm sure Lee would rather carve his own way rather than follow the shadows of Tim Tebow. He's waited too long for that. And now that he's gotten the nod to start against NC State look for him to make the most of it. He is the X-factor for Florida State and just what the struggling program down in Tallahassee needed.

This win over Alabama is a pivotal point for the Florida State program, and suddenly the future doesn't look so bleak. With Xavier Lee-ding the way, the Seminoles may be set to play, not party, like it's 1999.

—R. Cooper