ANALYSIS: After back to back 7-6 campaigns the Noles went 9-4 in 2008 and look to build on that mojo and get back to the ACC Title game. With each passing season it becomes less legandary Bobby Bowden's team and more coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher's.
QUARTERBACK: Christian Ponder will enter his second season as a starter and he flashed some potential last season. A bit of a streaky passer, Ponder can make plays with his feet. E.J. Manuel should give Ponder a little push in Fall camp and will get an opportunity to play this season. He has a ton of potential.
RUNNING BACK: Jermaine Thomas, Ty Jones, and Tavares Pressley should all see action at RB, thus this is a deep group. Thomas and Jones both averaged 7+ yards per carry last year and bring some of that big play ability back to this offense. Two very talented true freshmen also could have an impact: Lonnie Pryor and Chris Thompson.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Jarmon Forston, Bert Reed, and Taiwan Easterling figure to get the most reps with veterans Richard Goodman and Rod Owens playing in reserve. Reed is electric with the ball in his hands, Fortson has great size, and Easterling has made a quick recovery from an Achilles' injury. There is plenty of depth with Avis Commack, Willie Haulstead, and Louis Givens.
TIGHT END: Traditionally FSU has not exploited this position as well as they could and 2009 looks no different. Blocker Caz Piurowski should see the most time, but there is some significant potential waiting in the wings with Beau Reliford.
OFFENSIVE LINE: While this unit is still young, it is expected to be the strength of the team. Sophomore's Andrew Datko, Zebrie Sanders, and David Spurlock join juniors Rodney Hudson and Ryan McMahon to form a great starting 5. The work coach Rick Trickett had done with these guys is amazing. The depth is improving.
DEFENSIVE LINE: This group is still not quite up to the lofty standards of FSU in their heydey, but is improving. At DE, Markus White, Kevin McNeil, Jamar Jackson, and Toshmon Stevens form a solid two deep. They still need an elite DT to step up, but Kendrick Stewart, Bud Thacker, Moses McCray, and Justin Mincey can be solid. Two true frosh, Jacobbi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister, are players to keep an eye on. Both UnderArmour All Americans, they are the future.
LINEBACKERS: The LB's are always great at FSU and this year is no different. Nigel Bradham, Kendall Smith, and Dekoda Watson are one of the top trio's in the country. They are big, fast, and fly to the football. While there is plenty of depth numbers wise, none have shown they can play with the group above.
CORNERBACK: Patrick Robinson returns to man one side and he is one of the top corners in the country. He will play on Sunday's. The other corner is very much up for grabs with Ochuko Jenije, Dionte Allen, Greg Reid, and Aj Alexander in the mix.
SAFETY: Jamie Robinson will be one starter and this might be the year he lives up to his ceiling. He has been solid thus far, but is capable of being one of the top S's in the ACC. The other spot has Korey Mangum, Nick Moody, and Jajuan Harley fighting for PT. Terrance Parks might also factor in, but he may need another year of seasoning.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Freshmen K Dustin Hopkins takes over for one the best in Graham Gano. The P is Shawn Powell. Greg Reid should make an immediate impact as a returner and Bert Reed is a dangerous punt returner.
SCHEDULE: FSU opens with the big one at home with Miami. Unlike the Canes however, they get a breather in game two with Jacksonville St. They travel for an intriguing game at BYU in week 3. The standard ACC slate awaits before the showdown with the Gators to end the season. Overall, it is a tough schedule.
PREDICTION: The defense should be better and that is the good news. The key to getting more wins is for Ponder to take the next step, limit turnovers, and be more consistent. He has enough play-makers around him. If the OL is as good as advertised it is hard to see this team losing more than 4 games, they could conceivably roll into Gainesville with as little as 1 or 2 losses.
If Ponder does not improve, it will more of the same.....great one week, not so good the next. The schedule is tough, there are no weeks off after game two. In the end, we expect FSU be a 9-3 or 8-4 team and the 9-3 might be good enough to get to the ACC Championship game, thus the BCS. Regardless, this program is headed in the right direction.