Preview of Florida State Football's 2009 Season

After a 9-4 season, Florida State is looking to regain its status as a national powerhouse.

There were many mistakes made by the young Seminoles that easily could have turned their 9-4 season into a 10-3 season or even an 11-2 season, but we won't mention Sim's oopsie, now will we?

We also won't mention that zero touchdowns were scored by either side in the Wake Forest game, got it?

Even with the upset at homecoming against Boston College, who the Seminoles can seemingly only beat in Boston, FSU definitely made some noise in the ACC and in the national scene.

Coming into the 2009 season, Seminole fans have a lot of talk to back up after the amazing bowl game against Wisconsin.

However, the schedule is anything but a cake walk.

09/07/09 vs. Miami
09/12/09 vs. Jacksonville State
09/19/09 at BYU
09/26/09 vs. USF
10/03/09 at Boston College
10/10/09 vs. Georgia Tech
10/22/09 at North Carolina
10/31/09 vs. North Carolina State
11/07/09 at Clemson
11/14/09 at Wake Forest
11/21/09 vs. Maryland
11/28/09 at Florida

Game 1: Florida State vs. Miami

Florida State's season opener is against its biggest in-conference rival: Miami.

This game will be anything short of dull or boring. With the potential to affect the ACC title, and possibly the national title, this game will be one of the most important in FSU's 2009 season.

With all the trouble these two teams gave each other in Miami last year, it was really anyone's game. I don't forsee the same thing happening this year in Tallahassee.

Florida State's Offensive Line will be returning stronger than last year, and with quarterback Christian Ponder taking the snaps after an entire year of experience, the Seminoles have no reason to lose this game at the Doak.

Florida State will start the off the season with a 34-19 win against Miami.

Record: 1-0 (1-0 ACC)

Game 2: Florida State vs. Jacksonville State

The second game of the season against Jacksonville State serves at FSU's only "cupcake."

Even though Jacksonville St. boasts the quarterback from LSU's national title winning team, it is hard to even fathom a loss by FSU—especially coming off of a win against Miami.

There are just too many pros in the FSU side, unless the entire team gets arrested and they're forced to put in their cheerleaders. Even then, FSU would probably win.

FSU takes this game without many issues.

Florida State wins 52-3

Record: 2-0 (1-0 ACC)

Game 3: Florida State at BYU

The first away game of the season, and it just so happens to be in Provo.

What kind of luck is that?

BYU hasn't lost at home in three years, and it would take a lot on Florida State's part to end this cycle.

But if there was a team to break this trend, it would hopefully be Florida State.

Last year, UNLV was the only team to come close to winning in Provo after a 42-35 loss.

It would be insulting to the ACC and to FSU if I were to say FSU couldn't put up a better fight than UNLV.

I say FSU pulls the upset and nails a win, barely.

Florida State wins 31-28

Record: 3-0 (1-0 ACC)

Game 4:Florida State vs. South Florida

After the greuling game against BYU last week, it will be nice to be back at the Doak for this new in-state potential rival game.

The Bulls entered into a home-and-home series with FSU, and it just so happens that they have to play the Seminoles in the Doak first.

Sucks for them.

Even though USF will be coming off one of their "cupcakes" in Charleston Southern, FSU will have recovered from the beating in Provo and pull out a win against the Bulls. But it will have to be earned—they're Bulls after all and will rage the entire time.

Florida State wins 28-21

Record: 4-0 (1-0 ACC)

Game 5: Florida State at Boston College

Ask any Florida State fan about homecoming last year, and you're likely to hear one of two responses: "No more blackouts" or "Don't wanna talk about it."

After the upset that cost FSU the ACC title game bid during homecoming while wearing the dreaded blackout uniforms, there is one thing on Florida State's mind: Revenge.

It just so happens to be in the Seminoles' favor, oddly enough, that this game is an away game, because FSU can't seem to beat Boston College at home.

The trend continues, as FSU comes off of a win against USF and Boston College is recovering from a game against Wake Forest.

FSU takes this one after a second-half comeback.

Florida State wins 22-14

Record: 5-0 (2-0 ACC)

Game 6: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech

OK, I'll say it.

Sims.

Yeah, every Florida State fan remembers that name after the fumble seen around the BCS caused the Florida State rally to fall flat on its face in 2008.

FSU is on a warpath, and this game is on its home turf. The Doak will not forget the angst caused by the Yellow Jackets and will release the Seminole wrath.

Ponder will learn to throw, finally, the defense will shut down the triple option by GT, and FSU takes this game with no remorse.

Florida State wins 29-19

Record: 6-0 (3-0 ACC)

Game 7: Florida State at North Carolina

Many people, including myself, see North Carolina as a major ACC player in the 2009 season.

The fact that this game is away doesn't help Florida State's chances, but the Seminoles' defense has grown strong enough at this point to shut down any offensive push by the Tar Heels.

And just like in basketball, FSU pulls the upset—or am I the only one who watched FSU beat UNC in the ACC tourney?

Florida State wins 14-3

Record: 7-0 (4-0 ACC)

Game 8: Florida State vs. NC State

Even though it's been a tough road to this point for the Seminoles, the Wolf Pack fails to overpower the then in the Doak, and FSU tames these pups yet again.

NC State doesn't even put up a fight, as the Seminoles do to them what they did to Maryland last year: embarrass them.

Florida State takes this game without issue.

Florida State wins 39-12

Record: 8-0 (5-0 ACC)

Game 9: Florida State at Clemson

Even though this is no longer the Bowden Bowl, this game has some serious impact on the ACC.

Clemson will be much better than many people expect them to be in 2009 and will cause Florida State many headaches.

There is one major problem though: coaching. Clemson will still be working out its kinks on the sidelines and will not be able to stop the Seminoles' warpath.

Florida State takes this game with a fight in the second half.

Florida State wins 24-18

Record: 9-0 (6-0 ACC)

Game 10: Florida State at Wake Forest

Ah, the Deacons.

What a horrible last couple of years FSU has had with these guys. Last year, zero—count them, zero—touchdowns were scored, making it not only the most boring, but most heartbreaking loss Florida State had in the ACC.

Both teams are coming off of a hard away game, too. Wake Forest probably just lost to Georgia Tech, and morale will be low. T

he only thing that keeps Wake in the game is the home field advantage, but Florida State is too close to a BCS bowl to give this one away.

The last few years are paid back tenfold, and Florida State eeks out a win. Barely.

Florida State wins 15-12

Record: 10-0 (7-0 ACC)

Game 11: Florida State vs. Maryland

Everyone saw last year's game, right? No?

Well let me remind you. Florida State put the Terps in shellshock with an huge 37-3 win at the Terps' home shell.

This year, at the Doak, the Terps might be angry. But they're still turtles, and their shells won't save them.

Florida State does it again, but this time, the Terps go home pointless.

Florida State wins 33-0

Record: 11-0 (8-0 ACC)

Game 12: Florida State at "That Team Down South"

OK, let's face it. Tebow is Tebow.

Even though this will be the only game Tebow gets hit in all season up until this point, Florida State doesn't stand a chance.

This is Tebow's last game against FSU, and there's no way he's going to take a loss in the Swamp against the Seminoles.

While FSU will put up a much better fight this year, the Seminoles' streak gets broken, as does the warpath.

The Gators take this one with no remorse, and the Seminoles drive home in silence.

Florida State loses 42-21

Record: 11-1 (8-0 ACC)

Wrap it up!

Florida State has finally done it. The Seminoles have returned to the national stage in 2009 by going undefeated in ACC play, and they will take on Virginia Tech's one-loss team (to Alabama) in the ACC title game.

Just like in 2008, which again, everyone seems to forget, Florida State beats VT and is in consideration for the national title game because Oklahoma will lose to Texas, and Texas will lose to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, but Oklahoma will be shunned for the 2008 fiasco.

Just kidding! Florida State happily takes its place in the Orange Bowl against either Oklahoma or Alabama, while Texas and Florida fight for the national title. Virginia Tech takes the Sugar Bowl against the team Florida State doesn't play out of the two.

I really do see Florida State's season ending up like this. But remember, this is college football, and anything can happen.