2010 Florida State Seminoles Preview

OFFENSE

The Seminoles return ten starters on an offensive unit that averaged 30 points per game and was beginning to hit stride last season until Ponder got his shoulder crushed on a tackle attempt at Clemson. If Ponder is healthy, and all indications are he is, Florida State should be very potent. Up front, all 2009 starters return, including All American Rodney Hudson. With that in mind, the Seminoles have their best chance at establishing a strong running game than they have in years. A stable of good running backs return and appear mentally ready, with Chris Thompson and Jermaine Thomas in a real battle in fall camp. Willie Haulstead has emerged as a pleasant surprise in the receiving core. With Jamar Fortson being given the boot, Rodney Smith, Taiwan Easterling and the elusive Bert Reed will be Ponder's primary targets. Expectations are high for the offense. They should be and they need to be.

DEFENSE

Given the long term success of ole Mickey Andrews at defensive coordinator, it sure was surprising to see the Seminoles defense collapse in 2010. It was not pretty. Enter Mark Stoops from Arizona to try to rebuild the once proud Seminole D. Stoops will be changing philosophy, moving away from the old man to man Andrews employed to a multiple zone defense, similar to the style the Pelini brothers are doing so well with at Nebraska. This will help the Seminoles, allowing players to concentrate on areas of responsibility without worrying so much about getting torched from being out of position. There is talent, so the expectation is the Seminoles will see significant improvement on defense. The defensive front is not expected to be a strength, but two starters return and DE Brandon Jenkins is showing signs of being a player, so this downtrodden area could be somewhat of a strength. With Nigel Carr booted off the team, rightfully so, we are a bit thin in terms of experience at linebacker. We know Nigel Bradham can play and I do like Kendall Smith and think Vince Williams can be a player. Five star recruit Jeff Luc is looking for playing time, but I am excited about Mister Alexander. I think the shift in philosophy is going to work in Alexanders favor. Keep an eye on him. In the secondary, the emergence of Xavier Rhodes has been very welcomed. This will allow Ochuko Jenije, an experienced and knowledgeable veteran, to play safety. The exciting Greg Reid will continue to make gains at corner, already among the nations best as a return man. Freshman Lamarcus Joyner and JUCO transfer Mike Harris also figure in. I am about the only one calling for this unit to be decent, but I think they will be and have a chance to give OU fits right out of the gate.

INTANGIBLES

The schedule is again among the nations toughest. After an feel good opener with Samford, the Seminoles travel to Norman to face a veteran Oklahoma team poised for a national title run. FSU returns home to host Brigham Young. Outside of a trip to tangle with the Miami Hurricanes, most of the tougher opponents will come to Tallahassee, including the year end tilt with arch rival Florida. While the conference is tough, should the defense emerge the schedule will not work against FSU.

HONORS CANDIDATES

Rodney Hudson is a consensus All America candidate at guard. Christian Ponder is all conference, potentially an All American and is a longshot candidate for the Heisman. Greg Reid led the nation in yards per punt return a year ago and is the nations top return player. Ryan McMahon and Andrew Datko are candidates for conference honors as is Nigel Bradham. Dustin Hopkins will be considered at placekicker as well.

NEW ARRIVALS

Several members of a top notch recruiting class will be called upon to contribute immediately, and along with a handful of redshirt freshman, may emerge as starters. Linebacker Jeff Luc is an early arriver who could see significant playing time. DE Christian Jones and corner Lamarcus Joyner will play. Redshirt freshman Xavier Rhodes appears to have won a starting position in the secondary. JUCO transfer Mike Harris also looks like he will counted upon heavily.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Last season I saw FSU going 9-3 and showing signs of being on the way back. Although at times FSU looked good, most notably during a throttling of BYU in Provo, the collapse of the defensive unit and a lack of consistency offensively derailed the season, which hit a decade low in losing to South Florida at home in a lifeless effort.

For the first time in 34 years, Bobby Bowden will not be our football coach. The long time duo of Bowden and Mickey Andrews will never be forgotten, but a new day is dawning. Jimbo Fisher, who I think is outstanding and the right coach to take FSU forward, has assembled a strong staff and good things are on the near term horizon. Offensively, FSU will be tough for anybody to stop, so it will be on the shoulders of the defense how far FSU can go.

The schedule is tough but a few breaks our way could provide opportunities. Touchdowns will come a plenty offensively and the defense will be better than most anticipate allowing FSU to win the Atlantic division and play for the ACC title. Let there be no doubt; the future is bright.

GAMEDAY GALLLERY