Florida State: Eight Reasons Why It Won't Win ACC Title

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Florida State has made strides to return to elite status in college football. These are the eight reasons Florida State will not win the ACC Title in 2009.

Quarterback Play
Christian Ponder's emergence as a starter was an improvement last year and soon we will know whether he is progressing as a quarterback or whether he is not up to the task. Last year, Ponder threw 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He struggled to stay in the pocket long enough to allow the deep receiver to get open which is why he rushed for over 400 yards.This year he must avoid scrambling because he won't be able to take another year of punishment as he did in 2008. He must step up in the pocket go through his progressions, without locking onto his primary receiver, and deliver the ball to the open man before taking off running. If he can get some protection and stop with the happy feet we will soon know if he possesses adequate arm strength to lead the Noles.

Lack of Using the Tight End As a Receiver

With the young offensive line, the Seminoles have not used the tight end as a receiver mainly because the priority was to protect the quarterback. Although there is talent at the tight end position in junior Caz Piurowski (6'7", 275) and freshman Bo Reliford (6'7", 235), the question for 2009 will be: "Is the offensive line able to block well enough to protect quarterback Christian Ponder until the Tight End gets open and if they do block well enough will Ponder find the open tight end?"

Too Many Chiefs

The coaching situation has to be confusing for the players. Essentially there are four head coaches for the Seminoles:Bobby Bowden, Jimbo Fisher, Mickey Andrews, and Chuck Amato. How many cooks in the kitchen are too many? Julia Childs would say more than one is too many! How are the soldiers supposed to follow orders when there are four generals telling them what to do? The overlying problem is that when no one is clearly responsible then things tend to get overlooked. This also has to be confusing for a potential recruit trying to figure who is going to be coaching them in the future. Although it may be premature, look at the recruiting board and see that only three kids have committed so far to FSU verses Florida with 14, Texas with 19, and USC with 8. There needs to be a changing of the guard with a clear Head Coach and that should be Jimbo Fisher. With Jimbo in charge this would allow him to bring in his own Defensive Coordinator and reestablish a clear line of authority and responsibility.With the departure of Bowden ally President T.K. Wetherell it may be time for the "King of the Road" to make his exit plans.

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