Returning To The Warpath: Expectations And Prediction

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

(I apologize for the lateness of the final installment)

                                                  Expectations

              After recovering from a two-year slump of 7-6 seasons, Bobby Bowden looks to leave the program in a strong situation. The main goals this year are to win the ACC Atlantic, and possibly the ACC Title, though neither feat has been accomplished since 2005.

               The team has earned preseason rankings in the upper half of the top 25, and should at least live up to that ranking. The pressure is still on Bobby Bowden as he has taken a great deal of heated criticism for the legal mishaps of the team lately. And there is the ever present question of when he will retire.

              Bowden will likely not have to worry about the wins race between him and Joe Paterno, as the NCAA seems to be adamant about maintaining that 14 wins from 2006-2007 will be vacated. Also, the university will owe Jimbo Fisher a good deal of money if he is not head coach by the 2011 season.

                   Due to these factors I expect Bowden will leave after 2010 as long as he feels the program is in a stable situation. This season, Jimbo Fisher is under pressure to continue the improvement of the offense, especially at quarterback considering he has a second year starter and he is the QB coach. Rick Trickett should have the offensive line at a high level of play nationally with all five starters returning.

        On defense, Mickey Andrews will be expected to maintain the high level of defensive play despite the numerous personnel losses.

2009 Schedule

Sept. 7 Miami

Sept. 12 Jacksonville State

Sept. 19 at BYU

Sept. 26 South Florida

Oct. 3 at Boston College

Oct. 10 Georgia Tech

Oct. 22 at North Carolina

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