2013-14 Preview (ACC) FSU
Florida State might be back. They made it to the Orange Bowl last season and took care of upstart Northern Illinois behind a fast and punishing defense that reminded us of Bobby Bowden’s best teams.
Florida State Seminoles (Team Link)
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
2012 Record: 12-2
Odds of winning BCS Championship: +1600
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The truth is the real test of a program’s strength is what happens after a really successful season when things like seniors, goof scheduling, and a little bit of good fortune have led to great results.
If FSU is back than they should collect another 10 or more wins again this year.
To do they will be relying on a new cast of characters, especially at QB where first round pick E.J. Manuel was one of the most successful starters in FSU history. FSU has good options to replace him in the lineup but all are unproven, just the biggest one of a few key questions the Seminoles will be answering over the course of the season.
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FSU and the ACC are on the rise though, there is no doubt about that.
Florida State is not going to achieve any of its goals this season if freshman QB Jameis Winston does not perform well. Like Johnny Manziel last year, he is a redshirt frosh who could take the nation by storm with a combination of running and throwing, in fact he was the top dual threat QB recruit in the nation when FSU signed him a couple of years ago.
All the reports from camp are glowing and what little you see of him in the media makes it look like he is confident he can do the job. He will be tested early as FSU has a conference game to start their schedule. Its on the road too at Pittsburgh.
Although he can certainly run Winston is protected by a good offensive line with 4 returning starters, all juniors and seniors .
In terms of skill players the Seminoles have them in guys like RB James Wilder Jr., RB Devonta Freeman (the leading returning rusher) and WR Rashad Greene (the leading returning receiver).
Winston may be the trigger-man but last year FSU has the second best run offense in the league in addition to a solid passing attack. All he has to do is keep them honest and this offense will thrive, especially because he is a threat with his legs too.
Last year’s defense was tops in all categories in the ACC and ranked no lower than 6th nationally across the board. Just 4 starters return but three of them are in the secondary so there is little concern about their ability to defend the pass. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The question is whether they will be able to create the havoc we are used to seeing up front that makes coordinators lose sleep at night. Their two leading sack artists have moved on the NFL but the replacements are all likely to join them too.
Florida State needs 5 star recruits Mario Edwards Jr. and Timmy Jernigan to turn potential into production.
2013-14 Record Projection: 10-2
If you read the Clemson preview already you know I think the Tigers are probably going to come out on top of their grudge match this season. That is mostly because Winston is still so green and Death Valley might be a little too much for him and it’s not like the Tigers suck.
But there is another loss on this schedule and no it is not the closer when they have to hit the road for another tough road tilt at Florida. It may not make a lot of sense now but I think FSU is going to lose against Miami…at home.
They are probably the better team but experience is on the Canes side this season and home and road seems to matter little when those teams get together.
Other than those three games the Seminoles might not have a game that is decided within 10 points and their could be some ugly ones like when Syracuse and Idaho come to Tallahassee. Another very good but not great season in 2013.
2013 Seminoles Schedule:
SEP 2 – @Pittsburgh
SEP 14 – Nevada
SEP 21 – Bethune-Cookman
SEP 28 – @Boston College
OCT 5 – Maryland
OCT 19 – @Clemson
OCT 26 – NC State
NOV 2 – Miami
NOV 9 – @Wake Forest
NOV 16 – Syracuse
NOV 23 – Idaho
NOV 30 – @Florida
