2008 Florida State Football
July 18, 2008
Entering his 33rd year at Florida State, Bobby Bowden is trying to get back the winning tradition that has been missing for several years now. The offense made progress late in ‘07 and returns several key players. The linebackers may be as good as any in the ACC and the pass rush showed improvement late last season. Let’s see how several suspension will possibly slow this team down with Info Plays 2008 Florida State Seminoles football predictions below.
Offense:
Florida State still has issues at quarterback, a problem they have faced for several seasons in a row now. Drew Weatherford is a senior with 33 starts, but isn’t a lock to win the No. 1 job. The Seminoles are hoping for consistency and the elimination of terrible throws into coverage from Weatherford. A knee injury in the spring caused Weatherford to miss the final two weeks of practice. Christian Ponder and D’Vontrey Richardson showed promise in his absence and Bowden hopes it can be this competitive all the way through fall camp.
The ‘Noles have a strong supporting cast for whoever gets the starting job under center. Receiver Preston Parker was the team’s top newcomer and best player in ‘07, although his arrest in April for marijuana possession and carrying a concealed weapon looms largely. The Seminoles like the progress of Bert Reed and young offensive linemen like Rodney Hudson, who was the team’s most dominating player in spring practice. More effective run blocking will be the goal this season. Senior tailback Antone Smith has yet to make FSU erase memories of some of their great past backs. There is a lack of speed and depth in the backfield, so you’ll see more of a bruising style running attack from the Seminoles, led by Smith this season.
Defense:
The biggest concern is the fact that several key players, mostly on defense, will be serving three-game suspensions to start the season for last year’s well-publicized academic fraud scandal that rocked the entire athletic program at FSU. Ten returning players were involved and it will require a lot of depth-chart adjustments on the defensive line and at linebacker. The leader at linebacker will be Derek Nicholson, brother of former FSU star A.J. Junior linebacker Dekoda Watson was saluted as the best defensive player in spring drills.
The strength of the defense will be the Seminoles’ secondary. Cornerback Tony Carter and safety Myron Rolles lead the way. Given that defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will start the year with several inexperienced players, it’s hard to tell how this group will fare early. But three straight home games to start the year, including the first two against Western Carolina and Chattanooga, should have the Seminoles prepared to beat Wake Forest in their third home game against Wake Forest , even with several key players serving their final game due to suspension.
Florida State Seminoles Predictions at Info Plays: 2nd in the ACC Atlantic Division
Florida State begins another season far removed from the Top-10 rankings. The QB position should be locked up by Weatherford, but it’s not. FSU’s defense has slipped due to depth problems and a lack of talent. The good news is that the Seminoles have a enviable schedule with seven home games, and only three trips outside the state of Florida. Everything is set up in their favor, now they just have to hit the field and capitalize.
ACC Wins Expected in ‘08: WAKE FOREST, at NC State, VIRGINIA TECH, at Georgia Tech, BOSTON COLLEGE, at Maryland