Here's what Florida Newspapers are saying about The Orange Bowl

Friday, December 29th <big>Miami Herald</big> FSU offensive line wants to be best ever BY GARY LONG The final hurdle

Friday, December 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Friday, December 29th
Miami Herald
FSU offensive line wants to be best ever
BY GARY LONG

The final hurdle is the highest hurdle. Want to be acknowledged as the best offensive line in Florida State University football history? Close the deal.

That's the goal for tackles Char-ron Dorsey and Brett Williams, guards Justin Amman and Montrae Holland and center Jarad Moon Wednesday in the FedEx Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium.
**Full Story**

Sooners' Jones plays final game at home
BY MIKE PHILLIPS

Don't call Ontei Jones a mamma's boy.

He doesn't like the sound of it. Makes him snarl. Makes him angry.

But the truth is -- it is his mother -- that makes Jones' homecoming so sweet this week. And when the senior takes the field as a safety for Oklahoma against Florida State in the FedEx Orange Bowl, he'll be playing this game for all the right reasons -- and more.
**Full Story**

Sooners coach looks for improved recruiting in Florida
BY MIKE PHILLIPS

The Oklahoma Sooners can win a national championship Wednesday night by beating Florida State in the FedEx Orange Bowl.

But they have already won something else -- a place in Florida.
**Full Story**

Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
Weinke in the title role
By CRAIG BARNES

Chris Weinke will carry one distinction from his college career that it is safe to say will not be duplicated.

He and Florida State's 1993 quarterback, Charlie Ward, will be the only winners of the Heisman Trophy to come from the same recruiting class: 1990.
**Full Story**

St. Petersburg Times
FSU can join elite with repeat
In 63 years, only nine teams have successfully defended national title.
By BRUCE LOWITT

MIAMI -- Maybe it was tougher because everyone was gunning for them.

Or maybe it was easier because they'd been there before.

Take your choice. All you really need to know is that if Florida State defeats Oklahoma in Wednesday night's Orange Bowl, it will join some pretty heady company in the pantheon of college football -- teams that successfully defended their national championship.
**Full Story**

Ailing receiver is still hoping to fill an FSU need
By BRIAN LANDMAN

MIAMI -- Florida State junior receiver Robert Morgan has tried everything he could to recover from a broken toe, a must with the loss of Marvin Minnis, even heeding the advice of a popular commercial.

"I said I've got to drink a lot of milk; I've got to get my calcium up and I've got to get back and help the team," he said before Thursday morning's practice.
**Full Story**

Orlando Sentinel
Oklahoma off and running
By STEVE ELLING

MIAMI -- Mark Mangino had been caught indisposed.

A small infantry of reporters turned up at Oklahoma's football practice this week to hear what the top-ranked Sooners had to say as they readied for the Orange Bowl, but Mangino slipped through the cracks somehow.
**FullStory**

Jacksonville Times-Union
Sooners draw strength from tradition
By Bob Thomas

MIAMI -- Jeff Bowden doesn't have any trouble conjuring up his initial impression of Oklahoma football. As a little-used wide receiver on his father Bobby Bowden's 11-0 team in 1979, Jeff Bowden can't help but remember the Seminoles' first trip to the Orange Bowl to face the 10-1 Sooners.

"We had everything to prove and nothing to lose," Jeff Bowden said. "They were King of the Hill. When they stepped on the field they looked like an NFL team."
**Full Story**

Sooners safety in surprising position
By Bob Thomas

MIAMI -- The challenge of defending Florida State's high-powered passing attack isn't the least bit daunting for Oklahoma senior free safety J.T. Thatcher, considering his well-traveled path to the Jan. 3 national championship game.

Since arriving at OU from neighboring Norman High, Thatcher has played six positions, including tailback, quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback in the final two seasons under former coach John Blake.
**Full Story**

Tallahasse Democrat
Monster masher
Sooners get to feel full force of FSU's Jennings
By Steve Ellis

Brian Allen could have gone his entire Florida State career without experiencing the â€œMonster.â€ And until last Tuesday, he had done just that.

The FSU linebacker was minding his own business when he got in the way of linebacker Bradley "Monster" Jennings. The hit sent Allen, no lightweight, to the hospital to X-ray a sprained neck.
**Full Story**

Ft. Myers News-Press
Bowden making sure players donâ€™t drink and drive
By BILL VILONA

TALLAHASSEE â€” The nearest nightclub is not within walking distance and if you can be sheltered in Miami, then Florida State has found the place.

But just to make sure, coach Bobby Bowden has done something else to ensure his players donâ€™t drink and drive this holiday season.
**Full Story

Check out the Florida papers from December 28th