Florida State Football: 5 Biggest Hurdles to a National Championship in 2011

Every year as the season approaches, there always seems to be one team who dominates the headlines and wins the preseason hype award.  Usually, it is a team that's on the edge of the top five that a growing contingent of media types like to tout as a national title contender.  

In 2011, that team clearly appears to be the Florida State Seminoles.  There are plenty of things for fans and members of the press to like about the 'Noles.  

They return 17 starters, plus both kickers and all of their top return guys.  They are coming off a 10-win season, including an impressive 26-17 victory over SEC East champion South Carolina in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl.  They bring a ton of positive momentum, along with a banner recruiting class, into 2011.  

Florida State is the favorite to win the ACC—which it hasn't done since 2005—and perhaps make noise on the national scene.  

Head coach Jimbo Fisher is looking to become the next head coach to win a national championship in his second season in charge, joining the likes of Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and Gene Chizik.  

Before the 'Noles can celebrate on Bourbon Street, they have some questions that need to be answered. Here are the five biggest hurdles to a championship for Florida State in 2011.   

5. Can the OL Fix Its Issues?

FSU appears to have one of the best set of tackles in the country with standouts Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders.  However, their issues appear to be keeping them healthy and establishing continuity within the three interior spots.

The 'Noles have to replace a pair of four-year starters in center Ryan McMahon and perhaps the most decorated lineman in school history, guard Rodney Hudson.

In addition, returning starter David Spurlock missed the spring and has been limited in fall camp due to his recovery from a pair of concussions last season.  

At center, the 'Noles plan to plug in JUCO transfer Jacob Fahrenkrug.  If Spurlock can't go, look for sophomores Henry Orelus and Bryan Stork to fill the guard spots.  

Both Stork and Orelus filled in extensively last season, so the starting five should be solid.  However, it is imperative that their first unit stay healthy because there is a steep drop off in talent and experience in the trenches.  

4. Who Will Step Up and Be the Team's Playmaker?

Last year's Florida State squad featured no All-ACC skill players and no receivers or running backs who surpassed a 1,000 yards.  Yet the Seminoles managed to average just under 33 points a game and was held under 24 points just twice.  

With nearly everyone back from last year's team, it may seem like things will continue in a playmaking-by-committee manner.  

At running back, Ty Jones enters his senior season after his best fall camp and a three-touchdown performance in the ACC title game.  With fellow backfield mates Chris Thompson and Jermaine Thomas nicked up, Jones has earned the praise of Fisher and looks to finish his FSU career with a bang.   

At wide receiver, senior Bert Reed is poised to have a breakout year in his last campaign in Tallahassee. Juniors Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith both made solid contributions last year and have a chance to improve on their numbers from last season.  A young receiver to keep your eye on is sophomore Jarred "Scooter" Haggins, who emerged in the spring.   

Versatile fullback Lonnie Pryor is another weapon who can be counted on in the red zone as a running or receiving threat.  FSU needs one of these guys, or a member of a talented group of incoming freshmen, to emerge as a guy that puts fear in their opponents.  

3. Will the Defense Take the Next Step?

In his first year in Tallahassee, Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops turned the Seminoles from one of the worst units (ranked 108th nationally in total defense in 2009) to a unit that sacked the quarterback 48 times, tying Boise State for the lead nationally, and ranked 43rd in the country in total defense.  

For Florida State to ascend to the nation's elite, a lot will depend on if the 'Noles can become a dominant unit in Year 2 under Stoops.  With eight starters back, the biggest reason for optimism in Tallahassee may be because of the depth and talent that is accumulating on the Seminoles roster.  

Oklahoma overwhelmed the Seminoles early, and losses to North Carolina and Virginia Tech saw multiple breakdowns in the secondary doom them in shootout losses.  

This year, the defensive line should be deeper and the secondary should get an added boost with former 5-star recruit Lamarcus Joyner taking over one safety spot. 

Defensive end Brandon Jenkins, linebacker Nigel Bradham and cornerbacks Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes give the Seminoles elite talent on every level of the defense.  If FSU is going to make a run at the national title this season, the defense will have to emerge as one of the nation's best.  

2. Can E.J. Manuel Thrive as a First-Year Starting QB?

Florida State starting quarterback E.J. Manuel is no stranger to performing on a big stage.  After filling in for FSU's last two bowl games in relief of Christian Ponder, Manuel led the Seminoles to a pair of impressive season-ending victories.  

With Ponder now off to the NFL, the big question is not only can Manuel take over as the full-time trigger man, but can he lead Florida State to its first national championship since 1999?

The experience he's gained in making six starts in Ponder's absence is huge from a leadership standpoint.  It is clear he has the confidence of his coaches and teammates.

The 6'5", 240-pound Manuel is tough to defend because he can beat defenses with his feet as well as his arm.  If Manuel is going to take the FSU offense to the promised land, he will have to improve on his decision making in the passing game (six touchdowns, 10 interceptions in his career).  

Still, Fisher is enamored with his first hand-picked quarterback recruit since coming to Tallahassee, and with good reason.  With plenty of experienced skill talent around him, it is up to Manuel to rise to the occasion and lead the 'Noles to a huge season.  

1. The Oklahoma Game

Revenge.  The best game atmosphere in your stadium in over a decade.  The preseason No. 1 team in the country coming to your house.  The winner gets a leg up in the race to a national title game appearance. The loser is practically eliminated.  

The Sept. 17 matchup with Oklahoma has all of the ingredients of a classic non-conference showdown.  The 'Noles shouldn't be lacking for motivation either.  The Sooners took the Seminoles to the woodshed last season, walloping them 47-17 in a game that was worse than the score indicated.   

Both teams are saying the right things about taking it a game at a time.  But rest assured Jimbo Fisher and his staff have game-planned for the Sooners all summer long.     

Florida State's defense should be better equipped this season to disrupt Landry Jones and Oklahoma's hurry-up offense that left Mark Stoops' troops in the dust last year in Norman.  

If Florida State can knock off the top-ranked Sooners, it could ultimately springboard the team squarely into the national title hunt with a remaining schedule that should see it favored in every matchup afterward.