PressBox: Countdown To Kickoff: Florida State Seminoles

Countdown To Kickoff: Florida State Seminoles

By Kevin Heitz

As fans count down the days until another college football season kicks off, this blog is breaking down the top 25.

5 -- Florida State Seminoles

Last year: 10-4, 6-2 ACC

Coach: Jimbo Fisher (second year, 10-4 at FSU)

The Seminoles are back in the top 5 -- what is this, the '90s? First-year coach Jimbo Fisher delivered 10 wins to Tallahassee for the first time since 2003, and this year he hopes to bring the tomahawk choppers their first ACC title since 1995.

"I know expectations are high this year and we embrace those," Fisher told Seminoles.com. “It's great to see that the country is seeing Florida State's program is heading in the right direction and getting back to the top. But, we also realize that these preseason rankings don't win you a championship. We have to go out there and live up to them. We have to embrace them. I'd much rather start up high than start down low."

The offense rests on the shoulders of quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has big shoes to fill after Christian Ponder was the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft. A preseason All-ACC selection, Manuel has a 4-2 record as a backup, including two bowl victories. True freshman Devonta Freeman may win the starting running back position after a strong spring showing.

Eight starters return on a defense that improved as the season progressed, led by 2010 first team All-ACC end Brandon Jenkins, who posted 13.5 sacks in 2010. The Seminoles tallied a nation's best 48 sacks last season.

"There's too much at Florida State to not be successful," Fisher said at ACC media day. "We just have to continue to develop our players better -- to become process oriented not outcome oriented. … I think we're ready to take the next step."

So, are the Seminoles really back? They will find out early on as No. 1 Oklahoma visits Tallahassee on Sept. 17, a game that marks the return of ESPN's "College Gameday" to Florida State. The show hasn't been held in Tallahassee since 2003.

Schedule

Sept. 3 -- Louisiana-Monroe

Sept. 10 -- Charleston Southern

Sept. 17 -- Oklahoma

Sept. 24 -- @ Clemson

Oct. 8 -- @ Wake Forest

Oct. 15 -- @ Duke

Oct. 22 -- Maryland

Oct. 29 -- North Carolina State

Nov. 3 -- @ Boston College

Nov. 12 -- Miami

Nov. 19 -- Virginia

Nov. 26 -- @ Florida

Posted Aug. 27, 2011