TAMPA—At first glance, you'd think FSU is in serious trouble. You'd say they're never going to emerge as a new, stronger, better team. You'd say, "not in 2009."

Well, in the famous words of one famous FSU alum named Lee Corso—"Not so fast..."

Following a rain-soaked contest against an FCS opponent in Jacksonville State that sounded more like a bad-boy all-star club from the SEC, Florida State managed only two touchdowns offensively, one of which came late in the fourth quarter and looked more like the 2005 Seminoles than an improvement on the 2008 variety.

Ryan Perriloux, a former QB standout who helped lead the LSU Tigers to a National Championship in 2007, played to his top-billing potential in his first game of the season for Jacksonville State, following a one-game suspension for violation of team rules.

Perriloux, ironically was actually one of FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher's recruits in 2005 while serving as OC at LSU. (Perriloux was kicked off the LSU football team following the 2007 season for repeated violations of team rules.)

Perriloux had an able bodied receiver from the FBS to throw to this year as well. Greg Smith, a former Wide Receiver from Georgia Tech also transferred in 2008, after being forced into the A-Option position, introduced as part of Georgia Tech's new Triple-Option offense. With only 7 starts in 2007, Smith caught for over 580 yards as a traditional receiver.

If that wasn't enough, former University of Florida defensive tackle Torrey Davis, who left the Gators following last season due to personal issues, anchored the JSU defense—often stifling FSU's offensive line, and providing pass rushing experience needed to keep Ponder scrambling all night.

It really was a homecoming for Davis, showing his defensive prowess, much like he did in 2008 against Oklahoma's top-rated offense in the National Championship Game—accounting for two huge goal-line stops.

"They're a cupcake."

Well this cupcake had some shards of metal in it.

Saturday night was not a feeling of redemption. It was a feeling of relief, determined by an emotional, hard fought battle whose outcome would be a last minute win, much like Florida State wanted so badly on Labor Day evening. Yes, the game was decided late, very late, and yes FSU did win. Just barely.

After Jacksonville State managed to put one in the end zone just four minutes into the first quarter, FSU would not respond for nearly 10 minutes. JSU would score a chip shot field goal midway through the second quarter, and it would stay that way for nearly the entire game. 

Fortunately, Christian Ponder did not allow a single interception. With the rain soaked condition, and an array of freshmen on the field for large portions of the game, the score didn't directly indicate what FSU is capable of. 

What it did indicate is that FSU needs to put freshmen kicker Dustin Hopkins back in competition with James Esco, at least for extra point duties. The young man is talented, and while missing a 47 yarder didn't spell disaster, for a five-star kicker, extra points should be automatic—no matter what the difference is from the high school level.

All in all, don't expect FSU's defense to figure out their problems by next week, as Max Hall and company should put up 30 or more easily. Fortunately, with a normal week of preparation and a "bad dress rehearsal" FSU may have gotten the one thing they needed to be a dangerous squad in 2009, a dose of humility.

Expect FSU to hang numbers similar to that in the Miami game.

Looking Forward:

Following FSU's daunting challenge against upstart No. 9 BYU this weekend, the Seminoles will have a week to prepare for their anticipated home "whiteout" game versus South Florida.

Early October brings the 'Noles to Chestnut Hill for a match up with the Boston College stifling defense, then back home for a contest against Paul Johnson's triple-option attack.

After all of that, FSU will get the much needed rest it might feel it already deserves.