National Football League

FSU Football Arrives in South Florida For 2016 Orange Bowl

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:05 a.m. ET

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Fansided, Jason Parker/FanSided via Chop Chat

FSU football has made their way to South Florida and will now turn their attention toward preparing for the 2016 Orange Bowl game vs. Michigan.

As thousands of people arrived and departed from Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport on Saturday, one plane arriving from Tallahassee had special meaning – as the FSU football team touched down in South Florida ahead of their second Orange Bowl in the last five seasons.

Originally scheduled to arrive the day after Christmas, head coach Jimbo Fisher and the team moved things up with much of the team arriving on the charter flight shortly after 3 PM – with other team members from South Florida meeting them at the team hotel:

The Seminoles are coming into their 10th all time Orange Bowl game on a four game winning streak to end the regular season with a 9-3 record and a No. 11 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll – putting them in position for the game once Clemson was selected for the playoff.

“I could see it coming (starting in October); they really started understanding what it took to be a special team and we played well down the stretch and I am very proud of them, extremely proud.” Fisher said when asked by Chop Chat about the team’s play over the final month.

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The game will likely be the final showcase for running back star Dalvin Cook. The Miami native is projected to turn pro after the game, joining defensive end DeMarcus Walker as two members of this team who should hear their names called early in next April’s NFL Draft.

At the same time, the youth movement in Tallahassee has been quite noticeable. From quarterback Deondre Francois to wide receivers Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate and defensive stars like Tarvarus McFadden and Brian Burns, plenty of youngsters will get a taste of a big time bowl – and Fisher knows the value of the experience.

“The players understand what is on the line; they watch their opponent on tape,” said Fisher. “I think that’s what they got focused on at the end of the year and really understanding how to prepare. I think they will take that into the bowl game.”

FSU football will spend the next week practicing at Nova Southeastern University in nearby Davie while staying on the beach in Hollywood. The Seminoles will be the designated home team for the Orange Bowl, the fourth straight appearance in which that will be the case.

Make sure you stay with Chop Chat  all week for complete coverage from South Florida of Florida State’s Orange Bowl showdown with the Wolverines.

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