No program in the 51-year history of the Atlantic Coast Conference has dominated like Florida State, which has captured 11 titles in 12 seasons since coming on board for the 1992 campaign. Indirectly, the Seminoles' all-time 90-6 league mark played a role in the ACC's expansion plan.
The addition of Miami and Virginia Tech this season, and Boston College in 2005, will effectively put to rest the notion that ACC football was nothing more than, "Florida State and the Eight Dwarfs," while potentially fortifying the league's bankroll with a second viable Bowl Championship Series participant.
Expansion may well prove to be the added incentive Bobby Bowden's Seminoles need to continue their reign. Having suffered four of its six league losses -- and its only title-free season (2001) -- over the past three years, FSU no longer takes ACC championships for granted. The addition of archrival Miami, which many predict will supplant FSU as the ACC's top dog, should strengthen the Seminoles' resolve.
Offense
With nine of 11 starters returning, FSU has the weaponry to make a run at its 12th ACC title in 13 years. Of course, the focus will be on fourth-year starting quarterback Chris Rix, who continues to see-saw between brilliance and baffling inconsistency. Rix, 24-10 as a starter, is the school's No. 2 all-time passer with 7,525 yards and 60 touchdowns, but has been intercepted 32 times.
It won't hurt that FSU returns its entire starting offensive line, headed by consensus All-American Alex Barron and fellow tackle Ray Willis, as well as center David Castillo. They will be opening holes for shifty tailbacks Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, who will share the load of replacing starter Greg Jones.
Wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe's recovery from a broken leg, suffered in the 11th game last season, will be pivotal. Thorpe, the ACC's sprint champion in 2003, collected 51 receptions for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Seminoles' primary deep threat.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews had the luxury of building depth last season behind a veteran lineup, led by All-ACC tackle Darnell Dockett and linebackers Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope, who were among seven graduated starters.
From a group of 23 returning letterwinners, Andrews doesn't expect to have trouble shoring up his unit. Junior A.J. Nicholson and sophomore Ernie Sims were the most dominant defenders throughout the spring, and may actually provide an upgrade at linebacker, where FSU lost all three starters.
Second-team All-ACC defensive end Eric Moore will build on last season's 7.5 sacks alongside a pair of new interior line starters, Travis Johnson and Brodrick Bunkley.
FSU's last line of defense includes rover Jerome Carter, returning with 183 career tackles, and free safety B.J. Ward, who had career-bests with 80 stops and six pass breakups last season. Seasoned cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Leroy Smith will have to fight off Antonio Cromartie, who has the size and speed to be the program's next great corner.
Specialists
With 298 career points, senior kicker Xavier Beitia is the fourth-leading scorer in school history. But the three-year starter -- with two crutial misses against Miami on his r?sum? -- may have to fight off true freshman Gary Cismesia for the starting job.
Junior Chris Hall inherits the punting duties with limited game experience, but the return corps should be sound.
Final Analysis
A daunting schedule begins where it ended in January for the 'Noles -- at Miami. FSU's 16-14 Orange Bowl loss to the Hurricanes was its fifth consecutive defeat in the rivalry, which takes on greater meaning now that UM has joined the ACC.
The Noles will tackle potential ACC contenders Clemson and Virginia at home, but late-season visits to Maryland and N.C. State should test FSU's character against a beefed-up conference.
The pieces are in place for the Seminoles' strongest national title run since 2000. The burden will likely fall on Rix. If he can improve his decision-making and avoid the mistakes that have led to at least three losses in each of the last three seasons, FSU should be able to retain its ACC crown and be in the hunt for a Sugar Bowl invitation.
The addition of Miami and Virginia Tech this season, and Boston College in 2005, will effectively put to rest the notion that ACC football was nothing more than, "Florida State and the Eight Dwarfs," while potentially fortifying the league's bankroll with a second viable Bowl Championship Series participant.
Expansion may well prove to be the added incentive Bobby Bowden's Seminoles need to continue their reign. Having suffered four of its six league losses -- and its only title-free season (2001) -- over the past three years, FSU no longer takes ACC championships for granted. The addition of archrival Miami, which many predict will supplant FSU as the ACC's top dog, should strengthen the Seminoles' resolve.
Offense
With nine of 11 starters returning, FSU has the weaponry to make a run at its 12th ACC title in 13 years. Of course, the focus will be on fourth-year starting quarterback Chris Rix, who continues to see-saw between brilliance and baffling inconsistency. Rix, 24-10 as a starter, is the school's No. 2 all-time passer with 7,525 yards and 60 touchdowns, but has been intercepted 32 times.
It won't hurt that FSU returns its entire starting offensive line, headed by consensus All-American Alex Barron and fellow tackle Ray Willis, as well as center David Castillo. They will be opening holes for shifty tailbacks Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, who will share the load of replacing starter Greg Jones.
Wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe's recovery from a broken leg, suffered in the 11th game last season, will be pivotal. Thorpe, the ACC's sprint champion in 2003, collected 51 receptions for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Seminoles' primary deep threat.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews had the luxury of building depth last season behind a veteran lineup, led by All-ACC tackle Darnell Dockett and linebackers Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope, who were among seven graduated starters.
From a group of 23 returning letterwinners, Andrews doesn't expect to have trouble shoring up his unit. Junior A.J. Nicholson and sophomore Ernie Sims were the most dominant defenders throughout the spring, and may actually provide an upgrade at linebacker, where FSU lost all three starters.
Second-team All-ACC defensive end Eric Moore will build on last season's 7.5 sacks alongside a pair of new interior line starters, Travis Johnson and Brodrick Bunkley.
FSU's last line of defense includes rover Jerome Carter, returning with 183 career tackles, and free safety B.J. Ward, who had career-bests with 80 stops and six pass breakups last season. Seasoned cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Leroy Smith will have to fight off Antonio Cromartie, who has the size and speed to be the program's next great corner.
Specialists
With 298 career points, senior kicker Xavier Beitia is the fourth-leading scorer in school history. But the three-year starter -- with two crutial misses against Miami on his r?sum? -- may have to fight off true freshman Gary Cismesia for the starting job.
Junior Chris Hall inherits the punting duties with limited game experience, but the return corps should be sound.
Final Analysis
A daunting schedule begins where it ended in January for the 'Noles -- at Miami. FSU's 16-14 Orange Bowl loss to the Hurricanes was its fifth consecutive defeat in the rivalry, which takes on greater meaning now that UM has joined the ACC.
The Noles will tackle potential ACC contenders Clemson and Virginia at home, but late-season visits to Maryland and N.C. State should test FSU's character against a beefed-up conference.
The pieces are in place for the Seminoles' strongest national title run since 2000. The burden will likely fall on Rix. If he can improve his decision-making and avoid the mistakes that have led to at least three losses in each of the last three seasons, FSU should be able to retain its ACC crown and be in the hunt for a Sugar Bowl invitation.
