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Looking to cap strong finish, UCLA meets Florida State

Dec 22, 2006 - 2:43 PM Florida St (6-6) at Ucla (7-5) December 27 Emerald Bowl 8:00 pm EST

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - UCLA ruined Southern California's season. Now the Bruins look to send Florida State to another loss in what has been a disappointing season.

While the Bruins hope to build on the season, the Seminoles look to get a win and put it the year behind them when the teams meet in the Emerald Bowl on Wednesday.

UCLA (7-5) shut down USC in its season finale, 13-9, to finish the season with a three-game win streak and end the Trojans' hopes of playing for the national title. The Bruins did it with defense, ending USC's streak of 63 games with at least 20 points.

The Bruins' defense, which allowed only 28 points in its three-game win streak, figures to be licking its chops over the chance to face a Seminoles offense that has struggled all season.

The Seminoles (6-6) alternated wins and losses in their last four games. They were blanked by Wake Forest at home and lost to Florida, 21-14, in their season finale.

Florida State has been unable to generate any consistent momentum offensively this year and coach Bobby Bowden has alternated between Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee at quarterback in search of a spark.

Weatherford is more of a pure passer but Lee is more athletic and that may come in handy against a mobile Bruins defensive front that is led by defensive ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis.

UCLA running back Chris Markey needs 37 yards to reach 1,000 but will have his work cut out for him against the Florida State defense.

While the Seminole offense has struggled, the defense has been one of the best in the country. Florida State ranks eighth in the country against the run, 15th in total defense and 34th in scoring.

In a game featuring two stout defenses, the kicking game could be the difference and UCLA has one of the country's best in Justin Medlock, who leads the nation with 26 field goals and has made both of his attempts from over 50 yards.