In the first year under Jimbo Fisher, the Florida State Seminoles finished with an overall record of 10-4. It was the first time the Seminoles reached double-digit wins since they went 10-3 in 2003. Florida State won the ACC Atlantic with a 6-2 conference mark, but would go on to lose to Virginia Tech 33-44 in the ACC Championship Game. However, Fisher and the Seminoles would conclude the season with an impressive 26-17 win over South Carolina in the Chik-fil-A Bowl.
Even though the Seminoles lose starting quarterback Christian Ponder, who was selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL draft, expectations for the 2011 season couldn’t be higher. Florida State has eight starters back on each side of the ball, and one of the top recruiting classes in the country. Let’s take a look at what the Seminoles will be sending to the field on both sides of the ball in 2011.
Offense: Replacing a first-round NFL quarterback is something no college football team wants to do, but the Seminoles can’t wait to get junior E.J. Manuel on the field. Manuel hasn’t got a lot of playing time in his first two seasons, but has really impressed when he has been given the chance. He was the Gator Bowl MVP in 2009, and played exceptionally well after coming in for Ponder in the second quarter of the Chik-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina.
Manuel should benefit from one of the top rushing attacks in the ACC. Florida State pounded out 171 yards a game on the ground in 2010, and the expectations for this unit are bigger than ever with the top three back from last year and the addition of two very talented freshman. Chris Thompson led the team with 845 yards and six touchdowns, but the Seminoles also got 527 yards from Ty Jones and 490 yards from Jermaine Thomas. While Thompson figures to remain the top guy in 2011, Jones and Thomas could see their carries handed over to true freshmen James Wilder and Devonta Freeman.
Even though senior wide out Taiwan Easterling has decided to leave the team to pursue a professional baseball career, the Seminoles should have one of the top receiving corps in the ACC with the return of senior Bert Reed and junior Willie Haulstead. Reed led the way with 58 catches for 614 yards, while Haulstead finished second on the team with 587 yards and team-best six touchdowns. Look for junior Rodney Smith, sophomore Kenny Shaw, and freshman Christian Green to fight for the vacated spot left by Easterling.
While the Seminoles lose two very good players in 1st-Team ACC guard Rodney Hudson and 2nd-Team ACC center Ryan McMahon, they return two of the top tackles in the conference in seniors Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders.
Defense: Florida State really turned things around on this side of the ball in 2010. After getting torched for 30 points a game in 2009, they held opposing offenses to just 19.6 points last year.
The defensive line has the potential to really take off in 2011. They return one of the top defensive ends in the country in Brandon Jenkins, both starting defensive tackles, and add in talented junior college transfer Tank Carradine to start at the other defensive end slot. Jenkins is coming off a remarkable sophomore season, where he racked up 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.
The Seminoles will have some new faces at linebacker this season with the loss of two starters, but they bring back one of best outside linebackers in the country in Nigel Bradham, who led the way with 98 tackles and was third on the team with five sacks. Two highly regarded sophomores figure to step into the starting mix, as Jeff Luc looks to take over at middle linebacker, while Christian Jones fills the void at the other outside linebacker spot.
Not only are the Seminoles loaded up front, but they return all four starters in the secondary. Opposing quarterbacks will have all kinds of trouble throwing against the starting corner duo of Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid, who combined for 26 pass break ups and seven interceptions in 2010.
Prediction: ACC Champions – Florida State has the makings of a special season in 2011. I think they will cruise to the ACC Atlantic Title and get revenge against the Hokies in the ACC Championship Game. A lot rides on the unproven arm of Manuel, but the defense and running game should be able to carry this team until he gets settled in. If the Seminoles can get past Oklahoma at home on Sept. 17, they could find themselves playing in the BCS National Championship Game.
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