Florida State Seminoles Season Preview

After three years of waiting behind Christian Ponder, who has since moved on to the NFL, E.J. Manuel has officially been handed the reins to the offense. He has flashed brilliance in the past two bowl games for the Seminoles.

Starting in a pressure-packed Gator Bowl against West Virginia, Manuel racked up 259 total yards and a touchdown in leading Florida State to a 33-21 victory. There was no pressure at all since it was Hall of Famer legend Bobby Bowden’s last game as a head coach, and Manuel had only gotten the start thanks to Ponder going down to injury late in the 2009 season.

Then in last season's Chick-Fil-A Bowl, where Manuel was victorious against the SEC East Champion South Carolina Gamecocks 26-17. Manuel backed up Ponder in the game, yet with Ponder leaving due to injury, E.J. still totaled 130 yards and a touchdown.

Manuel has played well in the spotlight throughout his career, but never for an entire season.

In leading a team that, under Jimbo Fisher, is the strongest to come out of Tallahassee in years, nothing less than a concerted run to the BCS National championship is the expectation.

Time to see if the senior can deliver.

Season Outlook

Yes, that is right I said that magical word. Every pre-season pollster has the boys of Tallahassee ranked inside the top 10, and some even have them cracking the top five (Coaches Poll). So, why are they ranked so high when they have not proven much the past several years?

Well, they are coming off their first ten victory season since 2004, when they played Miami in the BCS Orange Bowl. Eight returning starters on both offense and defense certainly makes people wonder can they go back to a BCS Bowl this season if they won 10 last year.

They lost two heartbreakers against North Carolina State and North Carolina where they had several chances to win those games. Minus the Oklahoma thrashing, this was a BCS caliber team that had a lot of developing talent.

Season Outlook Part II

Offensive guard Rodney Hudson broke nearly every record at Florida State as one of the all-time best blockers in the program’s storied history.

How he is replaced by that offensive line will certainly decide just how far this team goes. This offense was much-maligned during the end of the Bowden era, but Jimbo Fisher has given this team a chance to do great things.

He managed to keep such a balanced offense through the running game. Florida State uses a stable of four balance backs in Chris Thompson, Ty Jones, Jermaine Thomas, and Lonnie Pryor. 

The receiving corp remains intact with Bert Reed, Rodney Smith and Willie Haulstead all returning after productive seasons. Manuel is clearly the key since he is one delivering the bacon. He has improved his mechanics, awareness in the pocket and flexibility with Jimbo this off-season.

E.J. Has Some Weapons

EJ Manuel has been sensational in the past two bowl games at quarterback.

Come 2012, he'll want to be playing in one of the BCS fixtures.

His Seminoles are coming into the 2011 season on the high of the program's first 10-win season since 2004.

Throw in 16 starters back on this team, with primetime players returning at critical positions and there is no wonder most experts have this team in the top five or top 10 and primed to break through in the BCS, perhaps winning their first national title since 2000.

Let’s get back to Manuel under center though. He has all of his targets back (minus Taiwan Easterling) with Bert Reed leading the way alongside Rodney Smith, Willie Haulstead and Kenny Shaw.

Reed is an extremely quick water bug that can stretch the field, though his best asset is off quick screens going over the middle of the field.

While he's not the best red zone threat, true freshman tight end Nick O’Leary, Beau Reliford and Ja'Baris Little could get a few looks towards their way. 

Speaking of red zone, the touchdown makers are Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith who are both rangy, lanky targets who can make the big catches in the clutch. Overall, this is a solid unit that deserves more credit than most are willing to give this group.

Rock-Solid Line

Three of the linemen return, though last year’s center Ryan McMahon was often nicked up. Replacing legendary offensive guard Rodney Hudson will be no easy task.

Luckily, Henry Orelus started a few games last year and returning often injured David Spurlock returns. Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko are one of the best duo tackles in the country. This was one of the best units in the ACC last season and that should remain the same this year.

The offensive line deserves all the credit in the world, but if it were not for one of the best offensive line coaches in America leading the way, they would be nowhere. Rick Trickett expects perfection and he prefers his linemen to be quick and fit rather than slow and huge. 

The Never Ending Backfield

There are plenty of options running behind this unit as Florida State has four different backs at their disposal. The luxury that Ty Jones, Jermaine Thomas, Chris Thompson and Lonnie Pryor all give to Seminole nation is nothing short of spectacular. Having three tailbacks and a stud fullback is extremely helpful.

Pryor is the full time blocking fullback who can block, run the rock as well as catch passes out of the backfield. Jones has been a serviceable backup his whole career, but he has shined as backup his entire career. 

Thomas was the slated starter going into the season, but was hit by the injury bug and was never fully efficient for more than a few games. He was nicked so he will have to earn playing time with Devonta Freeman and Ty Jones waiting for their carries.

Five star recruit James Wilder Jr. is yet another back who will eventually get his carries in time though he could also play some linebacker.

Speedy back Chris Thompson filled in admirably running for 147 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries against the SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.    

Though none outside of Pryor are downhill runners, incoming freshmen James Wilder Jr. and Devonte Freeman could provide that much needed punch if the coaching staff feels the need to split the bulk load of the backs up.

Manuel can run the ball down the field a ton at 6’5”, 246-pounds, so it seems as if this will be quite the offense to stop when he is clicking on all cylinders. They have the talent and it finally looks fully developed under Fisher. 

Scary Good Up Front

While James Coley and Jimbo are improving the offense, nobody has improved a unit in America any better than Mark Stoops did to the defense last season. They were 108th in the nation in total defense in 2009, yet Stoops improved this unit to 42nd giving up only 353 yards per game.

There is a bevy of reasons as to why this defense improved so much in just one year under Stoops belt. Great defenses always have and always will be great when they are loaded up front.

The ‘Noles front four was dominant as they almost doubled their sack amount from 2009 (25) to 2010 (48). They ranked number one in the nation tying only those Smurf Turfs from Boise, Idaho.

Who did the damage out of those 48 sacks you ask? Meet Pre-Season All-American defensive end Brandon Jenkins who is coming off a monster season. He is easily the best up and coming NFL Draft pick for Florida State in the past four-five years. Jenkins had 13.5 sacks which ranked third in the nation.

The rest of the front has solid talent with the likes of Jacobbi McDaniel, Anthony McCloud, Demonte McAllister, Bjoern Werner, Tank Carradine and Everett Dawkins.

Jenkins will have plenty of help with the top recruiting class coming in, but this front four has some veterans that are primed to breakout.

Look for Jacobi McDaniel, who was once a highly touted player out of high school to step up. McDaniel has the quickness up front that some former greats had in Tallahassee.

Those slew of linemen can lay down the wood on you up front and it is imperative they do so against Oklahoma in a payback game in the third week of the season.

Speedy Corps

The speedy linebacker corps decided to inflict more punishment on ACC opponents as Nigel Bradham came back for his final season.

Bradham will lead the way for youngsters Christian Jones, Vince Williams, Jeff Luc and Telvin Smith. The linebackers are ready to prove to the nation that Florida State football is back and primed to steal the national spotlight. 

Williams has had a rash of injuries that have plagued him throughout his entire career. He may end up starting at middle linebacker, but it is great news to know that he is finally healthy and there is plenty of insurance with the top recruiting class waiting in the wings behind him.

Christian Jones is my top choice for the breakthrough season because he has all the talent in the world as he is an athletic freak coming off the edge that NFL scouts will be drooling over in the near future.

He is great on passing downs, but his instincts and ability to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage is what gives him future All-ACC status.

Bradham is an interesting character because most FSU linebackers would bolt to the NFL seven out of ten times when entering their senior seasons.

However, Bradham was not a first or a second round choice and with a solid senior season he could receive a ton of accolades being part of a great Garnet and Gold defense. 

Got Corners?

This secondary was once upon a time the weakness of the team allwoing big play after big play. They always recruited fast, quick, short corners.

Though not much has changed the talent certainly has and that is pretty darn important.

There are two corners who are ready to reach stardom on the national level.

Xavier Rhodes was just a redshirt freshman a season ago, yet he is on everybody’s radar to make the All-American team very soon. He is slated to be the third corner behind Michael Harris at the moment.

Standing tall at 6’1”, Rhodes has the upper body to challenge and compete with any receiver in the ACC let alone the nation.

He will be asked to cover Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills early on in the season which should be the matchups of matchups for the entire season.

Another player with All-American aspirations is speedster Greg Reid, who did wonders covering Alshon Jeffrey of South Carolina in last year’s Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Avis Commack is a former wide receiver and has moved up as the fourth defensive back on the team. Commack has solid speed and should fit right in with the rest of the crew. Watch out for true freshman Nick Waisome as well (Eight rated corner according to Rivals.com).

Youngsters Stepping Up to the Plate

The dynamic duo will be joined a pair of safeties that should make a large impact. Incoming freshmen sensation Karlos Williams will battle with Nicky Moody, LaMarcus Joyner and Terrence Parks to see the field.

Williams has elite speed and hits like a ton of brick as he could line up and play outside linebacker if need be. Joyner was a former corner who is now being asked to play safety since that was one of the biggest concerns for this team.

Moody lays the wood and has even played some linebacker because of how quick he is.

This secondary is easily the best the program has seen in several years and if it can live up to the hype they will be talking about this entire defense for years and years to come.

Drama's Forecast

The defense will have to rise to the occasion and do a better job bottling up the run and continuing to put pressure on the opposing quarterback.

The third game of the season against top ranked Oklahoma will be a game that may change everything. If the ‘Noles can come out victorious then things will be smooth sailing going into conference play.

Up front on defense there needs to be a bit of improvement made and All-American defensive end Brandon Jenkins certainly has the speed and more so the pure talent to wreak havoc on any team he goes up against this season.

The under radar part of the team I did not mention was the special teams unit. Dustin Hopkins is one of the better kickers in America and Shaun Powell is a tremendous punter as well.

Field position could play as a crucial role in deciding the Seminoles fate in the ACC.

However, the ultimate x-factor though when you talk about this team has to be Greg Reid. He has given and lifted this team back to national prominence.

He has that look on his face as if he is always going to give you 110% on every play. Reid also has the explosiveness to take it to the house on any given as the punt and kick returner.

Along with the development of E.J. Manuel, it might be probable for the ‘Noles to soar to that coveted BCS National Championship.   

PROJECTED RECORD: 13-0, 9-0

PROJECTED FINISH: First in Atlantic, First Overall

PROJECTED BOWL: BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP