Florida State Football: 20 Bold Predictions for the Seminoles' 2011 Season

Florida State is currently ranked fifth in the USA Today Coaches Poll, and many experts are predicting big things ahead for the Seminoles.

I have come up with 20 bold predictions I foresee occurring in the 2011 season for the Florida State Seminoles. These bold predictions are far from stone-cold locks, but there is a strong possibility most of these predictions are right on the money. 

20. Florida State Will Win the ACC

Alright, so maybe this is not a bold prediction, but the first goal Florida State always will have is winning the Atlantic Coast Conference.

To win the ACC, they may have to knock off the Virginia Tech Hokies, who will be favored to win all their regular-season games. VT could also be undefeated and ranked in the top five if they square off against the ‘Noles.

Some experts will be picking the Hokies to win this game just like last season, but with the ACC Championship on the line, you can count on it being more competitive for the 'Noles than last year.

Tyrod Taylor is long gone, but Logan Thomas is a future stud and could give FSU some issues. There were plenty of blown coverages against VT’s receiving corps. This year’s game has the makings of having a completely different outcome.

19. Florida State Will Have the Best Special Teams Unit in America

FSU has arguably the top kicker out there with Dustin Hopkins. He made all 53 extra point attempts a season ago and hit 22 of 28 FG's. He also hit the longest game-winning field goal in Atlantic Coast Conference history (55 yards vs. Clemson). 

Shawn Powell returns as the punter, and he improved his punt average from 41.6 to 44.3, as well as his net average (36.1-39.0). Out of his 50 punts, 21 were returned for just 143 yards! That is less than seven yards per return, which means Powell is one hell of a punter, and the ‘Noles have tremendous punt coverage.

Lastly, they have an all-time burner in Greg Reid. Reid (5’8", 185 lbs) had a sensational freshman season, leading the nation in PR average at 18.43 yards.

He then dropped to 28th, averaging just 10.13, but there is no need to worry. G-5 is one of the most electrifying players in the entire nation.

18. The Seminoles Will Feature Two 1,000-Yard Rushers

I am not expecting E.J. Manuel to rush for more than 700 yards, but they have half a dozen other ball carriers who could start and/or play significant time on any team in America.

James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman are two freshmen who may not see a ton of playing time, but that is because Chris Thompson, Ty Jones, Jermaine Thomas and Lonnie Pryor will tote the rock this season.

Thompson ran for 845 yards on just 134 carries, and you can expect those numbers to almost double.

Jones looks to be the No. 2 back ahead of Thomas. Jones ran the pigskin 87 times for 527 yards, but he could run for 527 yards in the first six weeks of the season with ULM and Charleston Southern on the schedule.

17. FSU Will Have Their Most Productive Receiving Corps Since 2004

In 2004, Drew Weatherford had a solid receiving corps that had the likes of Willie Reid, Greg Carr, De’Cody Fagg, Fred Rouse and Chris Davis. They went on to win the ACC and eventually lost in a classic Orange Bowl against Penn State that season.

Even with the loss of Taiwan Easterling (Chicago Cubs farm system), Florida State is loaded at wide receiver. Bert Reed (5’11", 175 lbs) is coming off a junior season where he hauled in 58 passes for 614 yards and two TD’s.

Willie Haulstead (6’3", 206 lbs) looks to be the breakout star in Tallahassee. He was considered the top red zone target as he led the team in TD’s (six) due to his tremendous leaping ability. He was also No. 2 in yards (587) and third in catches (38). 

Rodney Smith (6’6", 216 lbs) is yet another tall, lanky, athletic receiver who will be looked at often in the red zone. Smith had 31 catches, three which went for touchdowns. Kenny Shaw (5’11", 165 lbs) is my player poised for a breakout season, but he will have to compete with both Jarred Haggins (6’1", 191 lbs) and Christian Green (6’0", 201 lbs). 

Tight end is a position the ‘Noles have not used in years, but the depth is absurd this season. Incoming freshman Nick O’Leary (6’4", 235 lbs) will look to make an immediate impact as a true freshman. Beau Reliford (6’6", 260 lbs) already has a few seasons under his belt, and he now enters his senior campaign. Throw in Ja’Baris Little (6’3", 238 lbs), another athletic guy who can stretch the field, and these guys can do more than just block. 

16. Florida State Will Hang 50 Points in Each of Their First Two Games

The Seminoles have struggled in past years against non-FBS opponents or lower-tier FBS teams, but this team is much different under Jimbo Fisher.

Jimbo will not show too much against lower-tier teams since Oklahoma looms in Week 3, but FSU may run for 250-300 yards in both games against ULM and Charleston Southern. Expect a few early routes based off the superior talent they possess. 

15. Defensive Coordinator Mark Stoops Will Win the Broyles Award

Named after former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, the Broyles Award is given to the best assistant coach (coordinator) in the country.

Mark Stoops is just in his second year at Tallahassee, but has already made significant stride with a Florida State defense. His ‘Noles led the country with 48 sacks (tied with Boise State) as All-American DE Brandon Jenkins tallied 13.5 of them.

The defense has an abundance of talent, and there is no doubt they will be among the best in the nation.  

14. The Seminoles Will Feature the Best Defensive Line in the Nation

Florida State returns seven of their top eight linemen, but they bring in a few who are expected to contribute right off the bat.

Tank Carradine is considered by many publications as the No. 1 JUCO-recruited player in the nation. He will split time right away with the German bulldozer, Bjoern Werner. Dan Hicks and Toshmon Stevens will see some time, but not ahead of All-American DE Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins was third in the nation with 13.5 sacks, and the interior line made a huge jump in production to help him avoid double-teams. Everett Dawkins, Jacobbi McDaniel, Anthony McCloud and Demonte McAllister are athletic, quick, hog-mollies up front. 

13. They Will Feature the Best Secondary in America

First off, the Seminoles have the best pair of corners known to man in Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes (6’2", 205 lbs) made Freshmen All-American honors a season ago and is looking to only get better. He is an athletic, rangy corner with a tremendous burst of speed. Rhodes also has smooth, fluid hips, so he can recover in the blink of an eye.

Reid was often criticized for his all-or-nothing plays, but he made nice strides during the season. He single-handedly won the Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina. Not only did he knock out RB Marcus Lattimore and hold WR Alshon Jeffery out of the end zone, but Reid also returned two punts for a total 53 yards!

Michael Harris is another solid corner who could start for a lot of teams, and incoming freshmen Nick Waisome is another soon-to-be solid performer. The much-maligned safeties have had issues for years, but those times look to be over and done with thanks to an incoming freshman.

Karlos Williams was ranked as the top defensive back coming out of high school by many publications and will see a ton of time at safety with Nick Moody, LaMarcus Joyner and Terrence Parks. Stoops has moved Parks to FS, so Joyner can make the shift from corner to SS an easy one.

12. The Seminoles Will Go Undefeated in ACC Play

Winning the ACC would be great, but running the table would be gravy. 

Outside of a trip to Death Valley and the annual battle with Miami, which team has the goods to challenge FSU? Going to Chesnut Hill on a Thursday night could be difficult since the last five meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.

Florida State would likely get Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship, which would be a rematch of last season’s 44-33 debacle. This was a game in which the defense had several missed assignments, and E.J. Manuel was forced to start for an injured Christian Ponder.

11. Florida State Will Win in Gainesville for the First Time Since 2003

Chris Rix threw a 52-yard strike to P.K. Sam for the game-winning touchdown that propelled the Seminoles to a 38-34 victory over the Gators.

It hurts to say that this was the last time Florida State won in Gainesville. FSU went on to lose in the BCS Orange Bowl 14-13 against the Miami Hurricanes later on that season. 

However, with a new coaching staff in Florida and a brutal schedule of their own, the Gators may not be ranked in this game. That may only mean this game will be that much tougher for the 'Noles. Still, you have to like their chances more than the previous three attempts. 

10. Florida State Will End Their Current Four-Game BCS Bowl Losing Streak

Florida State lost in the grueling 2006 Orange Bowl 26-23 to Penn State in triple overtime. In the 2004 Orange Bowl, the Seminoles lost yet another heart-breaker to Miami, 16-14.

The previous season, it was the third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs that crushed a depleted FSU team that did not have starting QB Chris Rix. Fabian Walker and even Anquan Boldin were used at QB. It was not nearly enough, as Richt called off the dogs early in the fourth quarter for the 26-13 victory.

Then way back in the 2000 National Championship, the two-touchdown underdog Oklahoma Sooners shocked Florida State and the college football world with a 13-2 victory.  

Trust me on this, the ‘Noles are looking like a good bet to end their streak, regardless of which BCS Bowl they may play in.

9. Florida State Will Host ESPN "College GameDay" Twice

If you read my earlier article, “Where Will 'GameDay' Go” I predicted the Seminoles will have two games where Fowler, Desmond, Corso and Herby stop by twice.

Sept. 17 has already been announced as the third pit stop for "GameDay," but a Nov. 26 meeting in Gainesville that could determine FSU's BCS hopes would make it awfully tempting for ESPN. 

8. The Offense Will Average 40 Points Per Game

Boise State averaged 44.9, Miami (Fla.) averaged 42.6 and Florida State averaged 42.4 points per game. Those were the top-scoring offenses in the nation, and the year was 2000!

It has been that long since an offense in Tallahassee has gone bonkers, and with all the skill players back, this offense has a great chance at accomplishing my bold statement.

7. The Scoring Defense Will Rank in the Top Five

2004 was the last season the Seminoles ranked inside the top five in scoring defense. They allowed just 14.1 PPG that season and have struggled for years since.

Last season was a huge improvement though, ranking 20th and allowing just 19.6 PPG. Eight starters return on defense, and having an All-American candidate return at linebacker is a plus.

Nigel Bradham led the team in tackles with 98, and having one of the fastest linebackers return can only help a young defense that is developing into a special unit. 

6. The Toughest Game All Season Will Be Against Clemson

This one is obvious to me.

The Seminoles could be coming off a huge letdown if they were to knock off the No. 1 team in the country, Oklahoma.

But if they get thumped by the Sooners again, the air may sail out of their balloons during this game.

Clemson has a very explosive offense and brings in one of the top five recruiting classes. The defense will be much improved, and QB Taj Boyd looks to lead a very talented and fast offense. Clemson has knocked off the ‘Noles in three of the past five meetings.

5. The Defense Will Feature Four All-Americans

This could be a bit of a reach if you think they will all make first-team All-American status, but there is a solid chance four defenders make one of the three teams. 

CB’s Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes are two of the best in the nation, whereas DE Brandon Jenkins nearly made the team last season. OLB Nigel Bradham would get a ton of consideration if he leads the ‘Noles to an ACC Championship. 

4. Florida State Will Feature the Best Student Body in America, Again

This may be considered a biased opinion, but have you seen the student body? If not, Google it, because there have been gorgeous girls walking through the campus of Florida State in Tallahassee for years.

They also have amazing student support from the group known as the “Cowgirls." The beautiful Jenn Sterger started things back in 2006 when it really started to get popular; however, the population for Seminole beauties has only risen! No wonder my buddy went there!    

3. Florida State Will Knock off the Top-Ranked Sooners

Seminoles nation is reluctant to know they may have lady luck on their side with the loss of All-American Travis Lewis. Lewis has led OU in tackles the last three seasons and is now out with a broken foot for the next two months. He could return ahead of schedule and be back in time for the Red River Rivalry against Texas, but that is three weeks after the prime time game against Florida State.

Going up and holding leading Heisman candidate Landry Jones and his arsenal will be extremely difficult, so first things first.

Bottling the run up and putting a relentless amount of pressure on Jones is mandatory. The front four and the speedy LB corps have the perfect ingredients to make Jones’ night miserable. Plus, if there is one secondary that can match up with the Sooners' receiving corps, it is this Florida State secondary. 

E.J. Manuel will need to have a big night, which includes taking care of the ball and just letting his playmakers perform well under the lights.  

Lastly, don't think for a second that Jimbo has not reminded his boys about the beatdown they suffered last season. They use that as motivation every single day of practice, and to make matters worse, this game even has extra incentive knowing Stoops also cost the 'Noles the 2000 National Championship.

Also, did I mention the winner may win the National Championship?

2. E.J. Manuel Will Win the Heisman Trophy

Florida State has only had two Heisman Trophy winners (1993 Charlie Ward, and 2000 Chris Weinke), but both were QB’s.

While I would not run to the bank on this bold prediction, think back to last offseason when Cam Newton was absent from preseason Heisman lists.

Some comparisons have been drawn—not by me—between the two, as Manuel is built similarly to Newton at 6’5" and 246 lbs. He can make throws on the run, not to mention he can run over defenders as well.

Maybe lightning will strike twice.

1. Florida State Will Win the BCS National Championship

I learned a long time ago that winning BCS National Championships are just impossible to come by. There are so many breaks you need to catch in order to even play in the game. Winning your conference is sometimes too much to ask for, but not this season for the ‘Noles.

Their division is easily the weakest of the two in the ACC, and if they can find a way to knock off the Sooners and Tigers in consecutive weeks, this could be a special season for Jimbo and the boys. They have the talent, they just need some lucky breaks.

Also, there is something special about second-year coaches.

What do Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban all have in common?

They all won a BCS National Championship in their second season (Jimbo is in Year 2).

Everybody talks about how usually the third year is the charm, but depending on how many starters and lettermen are returning, the second season is often the magical one.