2011 Florida State Football Preview:
In his first year, Jimbo Fisher led the post-Bobby Bowden-era Florida State Seminoles to an ACC Championship and a 10-4 record. Fisher’s star quarterback Christian Ponder jumped to the NFL, but the Seminoles are still among the favorites to win the ACC crown in 2011.
The loss of Ponder puts the Seminoles’ offense in the hands of E.J. Manuel. Even though it’s his first year with the starting job from game one, Manuel gained a wealth of experience filling in for Ponder when he was hurt last season. In addition to a solid quarterback, Florida State will see the return of running back Chris Thompson as well as star wide receivers Willie Haulstead and Bert Reed, all of whom will take pressure off Manuel.
The defense will be centered around defensive end Brandon Jenkins, who was named to the All-ACC team in 2010. In addition to a standout pass rusher, Florida State also has a great leader in the secondary in Xavier Rhodes, who proved himself in being one of the best defensive backs in the conference last year. If the linebacking corps can step up, it would not be surprising to see the 'Noles fulfill their promise and head back to the ACC Championship game.
2010 Florida State Football Preview:
All offseason, fans of the Florida State Seminoles are preparing themselves for the changing of the guard that is to take place when games kick off in the fall of 2010. For the first time in 33 years, famed Seminole Bobby Bowden will not lead his team out of the locker room as head coach.
His replacement, Jimbo Fisher has some big shoes to fill. Bowden constructed a team that finished in the top five of the AP Poll for 14 straight years, collected two national championships and ended his career with an upset victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2010 Gator Bowl. Fisher, who is inheriting a talented and experienced team, must show that he has what it takes to finish atop the ACC's Atlantic Division.
Quarterback Christian Ponder will likely take the helm this year, after tossing 14 touchdowns and more than 2,700 yards last season. But should he falter, Gator Bowl MVP E.J. Manuel will be prepared to take the starting job. In addition, the Seminoles are returning four starters on their offensive line, including outside guard Rodney Hudson, who didn't allow a sack or quarterback pressure during the entire 2009 season.
Florida State's season gets underway on September 4 against Samford.
2009 Florida State Football Preview:
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Expectations are high in Tallahassee as the Florida State Seminoles enter the 2009 football season, their 33rd under Head Coach Bobby Bowden. Bowden is currently locked in a back-and-forth battle with Penn State's Joe Paterno for the top spot in wins in major college football. So Bowden and the Seminole faithful are hoping for a magical run in 2009 that might put Bowden out in-front for good. The Noles offense will likely be lead by QB Christian Ponder or EJ Manuel. The FSU defense will be looking to retool around a talented freshman class that could see playing time immediately. Florida State's roster is stacked full of talent, so if they get clicking watch out for the Noles to make a run at the ACC and possibly the National Title.
2008 Florida State Football Preview:
Coach: Bobby Bowden
The Florida State Seminoles have one of the most highly respected football programs in the country and are always one of the most exciting teams to watch. After two tough seasons in 2006 and 2007, head coach Bobby Bowden will be revamping the team and looking to reassert the Seminoles dominance of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). If any coach can do it, Bowden can, considering that he’s the winningest coach in college football history. Doak Campbell Stadium will rock this season as FSU fans cheer their team on to an ACC title and bowl bid.