Florida State Football: Why the Defense Can Be Better in 2012

Florida State fielded some of the sport’s most dominating defensive units during its reign of terror on the college football universe that started in the late 1980s and continued for more than a decade under legendary coordinator Mickey Andrews.  

The 2012 version has a chance to rekindle the memories of those relentless units that led to the ‘Noles' streak of 10-win campaigns that lasted for 14 years and captured a pair of national titles.  

Before the arrival of Mark Stoops, the FSU’s proud history of producing elite defenses had eroded after a decade of largely average play.  

Now entering his third season on head coach Jimbo Fisher’s staff, Stoops has restored that reputation by taking a defense ranked 108th in the country in total defense in 2009 (the year before his arrival) and molding it into the nation’s fourth-best defense in 2011.  

The Seminoles return eight starters from last season’s unit and will welcome in a top-flight recruiting class filled with elite players at every defensive position that will help add depth and increase the competition on one of the nation’s top defenses.  

However, the challenge for Stoops and his players is to raise their games to another level—one that strikes fear and crushes the will of its opponents. 

In fact, FSU’s championship dreams this season depend on it.  

While Fisher’s offense will have to carry its portion of the load, it’s no secret the defense is closer to becoming a championship-caliber unit. 

Their defensive line features possibly the best duo of defensive ends in the country with senior Brandon Jenkins and junior Bjoern Werner, who combined to net 15 sacks last season. 

While the linebackers segment may be short on depth, players like juniors Christian Jones and Telvin Smith are playmakers capable of playing at an all-conference level.  

The secondary is stacked with experience, talent and depth across the board with stars like Greg Reid and Lamarcus Joyner anchoring the Seminoles back end. 

What raises hopes for 2012 is the depth the ‘Noles have accumulated on their roster, which allows Stoops to sub at will and gives FSU the ability to attack offenses in waves.  

Preseason prognosticators have been burned several times in recent years by anointing the Seminoles ACC—and even national—title contenders. However, if the cliché “defense wins championships” remains true, it’s up to the Seminoles' defense to hold up their end of the bargain this fall. 

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