Countdown to the Orange Bowl

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Florida State and Northern Illinois open the New Year in the Orange Bowl at 8:30 p.m. tonight. This bowl game is matching the big boys from a BCS conference against the little guys from the Mid American Conference. It's the first BCS bowl game for the Huskies who have been using the "chip on their shoulder" mantra all week long. They want to prove they belong on the big stage in a BCS bowl game.

Jimbo Fisher has liked the way his Noles have been preparing saying it is some of the best conditioning and practice time he has seen from his football team. "I think it is time to play", Fisher said, "You haven't played for a while. You have a chance to play in a BCS [game]...you understand your opportunity and you want to do well."

Fisher believes in letting the team have some fun and enjoy the bowl week but with game day here, it is time to produce. "The last 48 hours are critical. You dot I's and cross T's and understand what we are going into the game with."

It's the first BCS bowl game in seven years for Florida State. This group of seniors started out 6-6, won the ACC title and now can be one of the few teams in Seminole history to win 12 games. It all starts tonight at Sun Life Stadium in the Orange Bowl.