2008 Previews: Florida State
By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: June 24, 2008
Our 15th preview takes us to Florida State, formerly a top 5 football school but always a top 5 party school. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.
I was a little hard on Florida State last year.
While the column didn’t survive our move to a new Web site, I predicted the Seminoles would remain in mediocrity for the forseeable future during an August column.
They stayed there last season.
But, take heart Seminole fans. I see some drastic improvement ahead.
The Noles won’t be national (or even ACC) title contenders this year, but they have a group that can lay the groundwork for a return to prominence.
Drew Weatherford, who has shown flashes of brilliance amidst mountains of mediocrity in three years as an off-and-on starter, should improve at least a little bit in the fact that he won’t have to look over his shoulder for Xavier Lee after every mistake this time around (although Christian Ponder will probably see some time under center).
The Noles return their top three rushers (although they once again were unable to run the ball) and just two starters on the offensive line.
The defense - always a strong suit under Bowden and ace defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews - returns eight starters and should once again be stout.
FSU does have to deal with all those suspensions from that academic scandal, but start out with TWO FCS schools (and not even good ones).
The conference slate’s not easy, and they have to contend with the Florida juggernaut, but they should be much more competitive this time around.
Here’s the schedule:
Sept. 6: Western Carolina
Would someone please put a stop to this?
Sept. 13: Chattanooga
See above.
Sept. 20: Wake Forest
This is a big game. The Demon Deacons have beaten FSU twice in a row (I know, it’s hard to type, too) and come to Tallahassee with plenty of experience returning from their last two impressive seasons. But I think the Noles (especially after returning all those suspended players) will be able to take this one in a close battle.
Sept. 27: vs. Colorado (at Jacksonville, Fla.)
I famously guaranteed an FSU loss in Boulder last year. That didn’t happen, and it’s not gonna happen in Jacksonville, either.
Oct. 4: at Miami
Another big one. The Canes are on the way back, but FSU extends the winning streak for at least one more year.
Oct. 16: at N.C. State
Let the record show that 49 days into the season the Seminoles first venture out of Florida. FSU has lost in three of its last five trips to Raleigh, but should be able to bring this one home.
Oct. 25: Virginia Tech
The simple fact that this one’s in Tallahassee will keep FSU in the game. I don’t think it’ll be enough to get them a win.
Nov. 1: at Georgia Tech
The Noles win in a game that’ll probably be closer than it should be.
Nov. 8: Clemson
See: Virginia Tech
Nov. 15: Boston College
The Noles ruined BC’s undefeated season last year in Chestnut Hill, and an Eagles team that won’t be near as good will come back to Tallahassee this year.
Nov. 22: at Maryland
This one’s dangerous. FSU has lost in its last two trips to College Park, and with a team still filled with a lot of young players they could be looking ahead.
Nov. 29: Florida
This series hasn’t been stacked this heavily in one team’s favor since the Gators won six in a row during the 80s (which they’ll probably surpass before FSU finally catches up).
If they can somehow upset Virginia Tech or Clemson the Noles could get a 10-win regular season. But if they wind up losing some game they have no business losing (as they’ve done at least once seven years in a row) they could slip right back to where they were the last two seasons. I say they’ll go 8-4 or 9-3.
