Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #20 Florida State
Music to listen to: Riders on the Storm by The Doors
A relatively simple choice because the Doors were an excellent band and Jim Morrison was an alum of the school.
The Story: No school in the entire nation will go through the transition of a new head coach in the past ten years or so than Florida State. The legendary Bobby Bowden finally stepped down and the team is now under the control of Jimbo Fisher. While Bowden may be on the list of the top-ten college football coaches of all time, maybe even higher, even his most ardent fans have to agree that the program had regressed over the years. Now that Fisher finally takes over full-time, we will see if Florida State can return to its national glory, or at least win the ACC Championship.
Last Season: Finished with a record of 7-6, including a win over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
Offense: Before last season, the offense was looked as the negative downfall for Florida State the last four or five years. However, behind the efforts of potential ACC player of the year Christian Ponder, the offense showed a lot of life last season. Unfortunately for the Seminoles, Ponder suffered a season-ending shoulder injury his year but he’s back healthy. If Ponder does suffer another injury, FSU can turn to backup quarterback E.J. Manuel.
The rushing attack should be solid with Jermaine Thomas but the strength of the squad should be the offensive line, which returns all five starters.
Defense: While the offense was excellent for FSU last year, the defense was at its worst in decades literally. The 30+ points per game that it gave up was the worst average for a season since the early 1970’s, a time prior to Bowden’s tenure as head coach. The defensive schemes that the long-tenured and highly respected defensive coordinator Micky Andrews practiced for numerous years has become outdated. With a new defensive philosophy in place, maybe things will change.
There’s talent on the defense, especially at linebacker. Leading tackler Nigel Bradham returns as well as Kendall Smith. FSU also recruited the top freshman linebackers in the country this year with Christian Jones and Jeff Luc, both of whom will see significant time this season.
The bad news is that the defensive line and especially the secondary must rebuild to make the defense respectable.
The Schedule
9-4-10 SAMFORD
9-11-10 at Oklahoma
9-18-10 BRIGHAM YOUNG
9-25-10 WAKE FOREST
10-2-10 at Virginia
10-9-10 at Miami FL
10-16-10 BOSTON COLLEGE
10-28-10 at North Carolina State (Thur.)
11-6-10 NORTH CAROLINA
11-13-10 CLEMSON
11-20-10 at Maryland
11-27-10 FLORIDA
The big contest is obviously the game at Oklahoma. FSU will probably lose that game but a victory would propel it to some high levels. The more important task at hand is winning the ACC and getting Clemson, North Carolina and Boston College at home is a nice path. Some are already calling for an upset in the season finale but I’m not ready to make that proclamation yet.
Most Famous Sports Alum: An argument can be made for Burt Reynolds but he’s known more for his acting career than his activities. I can also make a play for Ron Simmons, one of my favorite professional wrestlers ever and the first player in FSU history to have his number retired.
However, it would hard to pass on Deion Sanders. He’s reached a crossover level, meaning that people who aren’t even sports fan at least know his name. It doesn’t hurt that he’s regarded as one of if not the best player ever at his position.
Celebrity Crush Alum: Impressive list to choose from but I’m going to go with a sleeper Danyelle Sargent, current television anchor for ESPN.
Prediction: 9-3
I’m bullish on Jimbo Fisher finally having his own program to run. FSU won’t be competing for a national title this season but it will at least make an appearance in the ACC title game.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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