Florida State Football 2008: Déjà Vu All over Again

The Seminoles were hoping this would be a turnaround season that could springboard them to a return to the glory days in 2009. Think again. After watching perhaps the worst offensive performance in recent memory Saturday against Wake Forest, it's evident Florida State has a long way to go.

The problems are plentiful. Lack of experience, early season suspensions, and a drop-off from the talent they had during the great run in the '90s. But the biggest issues are a complete lack of discipline and execution.

Take tonight as an example—119 penalty yards and seven turnovers, including five interceptions. Personal foul penalties after a big play or a holding call on first down. I saw more 2nd-and-20s than I do 2nd-and-5s. You can’t beat good teams making boneheaded mistakes like that.

The problems all start on offense. D'Vontrey Richardson and Christian Ponder are two inexperienced sophomores who are still trying to grasp the Jimbo Fisher offense, whatever that is. They looked completely lost against a good Wake Forest defense.

Add to that the fact that they are even less experienced on the offensive line and have a running back in Antoine Smith who breaks tackles as well as the Federal Government regulates Wall Street, and it's clear this is a not a combination for success.

The one saving grace is Mickey Andrews' defense. Year in and year out, you can count on Mickey to put a defense out there that will always give you a chance to win. Despite having five starters missing due to suspensions, the defense looked terrific, allowing four field goals while creating two turnovers.

Defensive end Everette Brown is a pass rusher in the mold of former FSU greats like Peter Boulware or Jamal Reynolds. The secondary looks strong with three returning starters, including All-ACC cornerback Patrick Robinson, who led them last year with six interceptions.

How far Florida State goes this year all depends on the offense. The receiving corps is the only strength on that side of the ball, with a talented group lead by their do-everything playmaker, Preston Parker.

But who will get them the ball? I would stick with Ponder, who is athletic and is the more accurate passer of the two. Drew Weatherford, a senior, has to be considered if Ponder or Richardson aren’t progressing like the coaching staff hopes. He’s not a playmaker, however he did show last year that he can limit his mistakes by throwing only three interceptions in 250-plus pass attempts.

I would even consider playing Parker at tailback over Smith, who has just been a huge disappointment the last few years. Parker racked up 100 yards last year against Virginia, so he can get the job done.

If things don’t improve for the offense, it looks like a repeat of last year with a possible seven wins and a return to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in Nashville.