Rattlers look to ‘biggest game,’ playoff berth

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

Coaches like to say that no game is bigger than the one that their teams play next. 

Add FAMU’s Willie Simmons to that list. Saturday’s game puts the Rattlers against Bethune-Cookman University in the Florida Classic, the biggest Black college football game in Florida. But that’s not the only reason that Simmons on Monday pronounced the matchup as the most important game.

Consider this in addition: The Rattlers (8-2) are projected to get an at-large bid into the NCAA FCS playoffs.  They won’t do it without beating the Wildcats (2-8) in the nationally televised games from Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Oh, and the Rattlers’ eight-game winning streak is on the line, too.

“Every game is a big game,” Simmons said. “This is the biggest game of our lives. This is the biggest game that I’ve ever coached in. This is the biggest game that our team has ever played in. This is the biggest game that Rattlers Nation has ever been involved in. 

“Why? If we take that mindset and we apply it to how we prepare mentally and physically then we give ourselves a chance to be successful.”

Success for the Rattlers make them a lock for the playoffs. Whether they host a first-round game is another question. A request to host was sent to the NCAA on Monday, but there is a question of having hotel rooms to accommodate a visiting team and its fans. 

The stickler is that FSU plays its rivalry game against Florida on Nov. 25, one day before the playoffs begin.

However, Saturday’s game is clearly the immediate concern for Simmons and the Rattlers. Never mind all that’s at stake.

“The thing I’ve always try to do is be honest; be honest with the guys about what this week’s game is all about, what the implications are about and what it takes to prepare yourself to be mentally and physically ready for it,” Simmons said.

FAMU put itself deep into the playoff conversation by pulling off a 21-14 victory over Alabama State last Saturday. It was one filled with last-minute dramatics.

Alabama State had possession of the ball with 24 seconds left and trailing FAMU by one point. The Hornets struggled against FAMU’s defense and managed to get close enough for Jayden John to attempt a 52-yard field goal.

Suddenly the end came quickly, as Kendall Bohler blocked the kick and took the ball back for the final FAMU touchdown.

“To show that you can win close games, particularly on the road when you have adversities that we faced, I think it really speaks to the character of this team,” said Simmons. “To win in the playoff, be competitive you have to show that. You have to show that you can win on the road.”