OFFENSE
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RB Dalvin Cook
Photo/Tallahassee.com |
Even with Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston back at the helm, along with a solid offensive line, some decent backs, the marvelous Nick O'Leary as a sure fire tight end target and some decent backs, the Seminoles never got in sync offensively in 2014. Perhaps it was the young receiving core that clogged the precision, but it was a struggle. Had it not been for the emergence of true freshman running back Dalvin Cook, the Seminoles may have dropped a few extra ball games. Cook got some legal issues cleared up and is now ready to take the lead for FSU offensively. Mario Pender and true frosh Jacques Partick, from Orlando Timber Creek, will back Cook. Cook had some costly fumbles in the College Football Playoff loss to Oregon, protection of the ball should be his focus as he has All America potential. FB Freddie Stevenson and Jonathan Vickers will also see plenty of action. Turnovers led Notre Dame to bench Everett Golson, and with the writing on the wall, Golson has transferred to FSU and as of today, has been named starter at quarterback over Sean Maguire. Fisher is a QB coach, so I look for Golson to make major steps in his turnover ratio. Golson is much more of a dual threat guy, which may have given him the edge over Maguire, who Fisher has great confidence in. Up front, the Seminoles only return starter Roderick Johnson, a stellar soph with NFL on the horizon, so with Golson having the ability to run around the edge, or even having the offense implement some option the Seminoles ran some back with Christian Ponder at signal caller, seems the right move. Maguire, should he be called upon, will likely have an altered play package from the one Golson operates from. I like it. Joining Johnson up front are some youthful but talented players,with FSU having among the youngest lines in all of the nation with a combined total of 9 starts. Ouch! Kareem Are gets his chance at guard, and he has been a guy on the radar for a while, as does Wilson Bell, who has played well in some spot duty. Derrick Kelly appears to have beaten out Chad Maverty at tackle, but both will see action, perhaps at guard for Maverty. Center was an issue a year ago, with Cameron Irving finally having to move over from tackle to play the spot. Irving is now a Cleveland Brown, so the spot opens up again. Ryan Hoefield and Alec Eberlee are in the mix, but it looks like Corey Martinez will start, but it is critical someone get settled here, as this is an important spot. Depth is somewhat shaky here, so this is not an area for the injury bug to bite, and Rick Trickett has his work cut our for him. Travis Rudolph got going toward the end of season and leads the receiving core. Jesus Wilson had a good camp is the Z starter, backed by Ermon Lane and freshman George Campbell, who is a sleeper to become a real playmaker. Backing up Rudolph are Ja'vonn Harrison and Kermit Whitfield who also had a good fall camp. Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders are the tight ends, and none will be confused with O'Leary. The line will be an issue, and as such, Golson and his abilities are just what the doctor ordered. Golson is very experienced, having thrown for 3345yds and 29TD's with ND in 2014, and his ability and leadership will be heavily counted upon. Dalvin Cook looks like a special player, and these guys might light it up even with a shaky line. Even so, 28 PPG is certainly possible, and anything less would be a disappointment.
DEFENSE
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LB Terrance Smith
Photo/Palm Beach Post |
If Florida State makes it back to the College Football Playoff, it will likely be due to riding the back of a stout stop troops. A major issue in 2014 was pressuring the quarterback off the edge. Brad Lawing, who has a great track record, has come in to coach the ends. On the outside, Jacob Pugh, who made some plays last fall, and Lorenzo Fetherston are the starters. Freaky frosh Josh Sweat, coming off a knee will also figure in, as will RoDerick Hoskins, who showed strong potential in action a year ago and senior Chris Casher, for who it is now of never. This group is very young, but oh so talented. Up front, Niles Lawrence-Stample is in the middle with DeMarcus Walker and Derrick Nnadi flanked, backed by Demarcus Christmas, Derrick Mitchell and up and coming Rick Leonard. Each can play, forming a stout rotation. at linebacker, in the middle is Reggie Northrup, who played excellent last fall but is coming of an ACL injury. Depth is an issue, so the Seminoles need him at 100%. Newcomer Lorenzo Phillips back up Northrup, and has big time potential. Terrance Smith, an All America candidate, is on the weakside. Smith is backed by Tryell Lyons. Jalen Ramsey, first team All America to be sure, leads a stacked secondary which will be cheating up to wreak havoc all year. Ramsey is at corner, but can play anywhere. Marquez White, fresh off some time spent on the hardwood, has really come on and plays opposite Ramsey. Ryan Green, a former running back, and newcomer Tarvarus McFadden will back up the corner spots. The nickel spot, or the STAR spot, will be manned by Trey Marshall, who really shined late last fall. Ramsey will spell Marshall. Derwin James will step in as a true freshman at strong safety, backed by Nate Andrews. Andrews is very versatile and will be on the field a lot. Tyler Hunter and Larmarcus Brutus figure in a free safety, with Trey Marshall here as well. The Seminoles will be mixing and matching back here, with a level of talent and versatility unmatched in the nation. Charles Kelly feels more comfortable switching alignments around for 2015, and given the blessing of the secondary personnel, we agree. This unit should be very stout, and if the Seminoles get the improvement rushing off the edge the anticipate, it will make life very difficult for opposing offenses.
SPECIAL TEAMS
FSU returns former Lou Groza Award winning kicker Roberto Aguayo, giving an emerging offense a stellar weapon. Cason Beatty really improved in 2014, so the punting looks sound. Kermit Whitfield is among the nations most dangerous kickoff returners, with Jesus Wilson and Travis Rudolph expected to assist.
INTANGIBLES
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| Seminoles |
For once, the Seminoles do not face a significant challenge out of conference early on with Texas State and South Florida. However, the 'Noles better get going quick as a Friday night tilt at Boston College in week three looms. BC is not a top 25 team, but they are no pushover, and took FSU to the brink in Tallahassee last fall. Miami, who some feel is much better this fall, comes to Tallahassee. It won't be pretty, but we will call FSU 5-0 at this point. Louisville, who is a sleeper top 15 team, follows Miami, and may catch the Noles at the right time, post Canes and prior to a critical road game at Georgia Tech. Don't think FSU wins orf loses both, so we see 6-1. A trip to Clemson is the next critical challenge, but while Clemson is strong, we thingk the Seminoles begin to really come on and we project a win in Death Valley. NC State is next in Tallahassee, and the Wolfpack are not bad and catch the Seminoles after what is expected to be a mental drain at Clemson. But, FSU should win and go to Florida and win there, finishing 11-1. In years past, FSU has tended to lose one it should not; however, if this happens, we think it would be in the first half of the season.
HONORS CANDIDATES
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DB Jalen Ramsey
Photo/Orlando Sentinel |
Jalen Ramsey is close to a consensus All America player in the defensive backfield. Terrance Smith we consider worthy of All America consideration. Derwin James is considered among the expected defensive newcomers of the year. Roderick Johnson is on his way, and could get All ACC is not posting an All America challenge. Dalvin Cook is also worthy of All American consideration, and would have made our team but due to being definitely suspended at the time did not. Among potential All ACC players are Niles Lawrence-Stample, Reggie Northrup, DeMarcus Walker, Nate Andrews and Trey Marshall.
NEW ARRIVALS
S Derwin James, whose immense talent and maturity has allowed FSU a great deal of flexibility in the secondary, will be the main guy. Jacques Patrick at running back and George Campbell at wideout are offensive players which figure to make an impact. Tarvarus McFadden at corner will see the field. Lorenzo Phillips at linebacker, and redshirt frosh Josh Sweat are also players expected to play extensively. However, it is Notre Dame quarterback transfer Everett Golson who will have by far the most impact on the Seminoles in 2015, a player who has a chance to have a very special season.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Although the Seminoles reached the College Football Playoff and established a school record 29 game winning streak, the team really never came around to dominate as expected. In fact, FSU had to come from behind several times; three times from very deep deficits. For the most part, it was a pretty veteran team in 2014. That is not the case in 2015, although the team does boast a high overall talent level with All American players on either side of the ball in Dalvin Cook and Jalen Ramsey. The impact of Everett Golson, and the potential offensive shift in play calling, is the X factor that will tell the tale for FSU. This team is youthful, and if you want to defeat FSU, the time is now. But, as each week passes, the degree of difficulty kicks up. Many respected FSU pundits see from 2 to 4 losses, most thinking 9-3. We can surely see two losses, but are much more inclined to think 1 rather than 3 or 4. We think the team will be very strong by seasons end, unless the offensive line fails to solidify or is impacted by a significant injury. It will be a fun ride, and we look forward to seeing Golson shine under the tutelage of Jimbo Fisher. Should FSU make the ACC Championship game, we expect to face Georgia Tech, a team even the best of FSU has had trouble stopping. It will be up to the free wheeling D, setting the edge, to corral the Jackets and win the ACC yet again. Even it that happens, we think FSU will be on the outside looking in on the second installment of the College Football Playoff.
GAMEDAY GALLERY
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