Florida State Football: State of the Program Heading into 2012

The last chapter of the 2011 season has been written for the Florida State Seminoles, and the mood heading into 2012 is a lot like it was last January. 

Optimism abounds after a valiant 18-14 comeback victory over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl, which capped off a 9-4 season for Jimbo Fisher in his second year as head coach. 

The Seminoles failed to meet the elevated expectations that preceded the 2011 season, but with a loaded roster returning and another banner recruiting class on the way, it's hard to not get suckered into the visions of what may be on the horizon for the ‘Noles in 2012. 

Defensive end Brandon Jenkins and cornerback Greg Reid both announced they will return for their final season at Florida State, which only leaves corner Xavier Rhodes as the only draft-eligible Seminole left contemplating whether to make an early jump to the NFL. 

Should Rhodes return, the Seminoles will bring back 18 starters plus their placekicker and key return men. 

If you happened to take a peek at last week’s Under Armour All-America Game, you likely caught a glimpse of what Fisher and the Seminoles have in store for the future. 

The White team, with six FSU commits led by game MVP and FSU quarterback commit Jameis Winston, routed the Black squad 49-16. 

Winston completed eight of nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, while receiver commit Marvin Bracy arguably made two of the game’s most breathtaking plays.

The three-headed defensive end monster comprised of Mario Edwards, Jr., Dante Fowler, Jr. and Chris Casher all spent the night camped in the Black team’s backfield and perhaps offered ACC opponents a peek at the havoc that awaits them in the coming years when they line up against FSU. 

The combination of enduring a frustrating season, finishing it on a high note and building the foundation for a promising future leads to rays of hope emanating from Tallahassee. 

It is important to note that if fans, coaches and players learned anything from the 2011 season, it is that all of these positive things do not automatically add to the win column in 2012. 

So what makes this year different than last? 

The answer remains to be seen. 

Given what is transpiring at FSU after a period of turbulence, it is hard to blame fans for sipping the Kool-Aid once again, regardless of the various times those high hopes have been dashed.

But it is time to let painful memories reside in the past because 2012 is a new year and another chance for the Seminoles to reclaim their spot among the nation’s elite programs.