2012-13 Football Previews – (ACC) – Florida State Seminoles
The timeless mantra we’ve all heard is that defense wins championships. The ’Noles look mighty powerful this year because of their outstanding defense. It’s been a pretty lengthy road back for FSU since the dominant Bobby Bowden-led years of the 1990s.
ACC 2012-13 Football Previews: Florida State Seminoles
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
2011 Record: 9-4
Florida State Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS:
FSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
It looks like Florida State is finally back – potentially for the long haul. This season could well be a statement year for a storied football program.
However, new coach Jimbo Fisher has been hauling in progressively better recruiting classes every year; Fisher finished with the #11 class in 2010, the fourth-best class last year and the nation’s top freshman crop this season.
It’s what the Seminoles will hang their hat on, so let’s start with defense: FSU is stacked. Even with the departure of LB Nigel Bradham, last year’s top tackler, there are impact players in every defensive unit. Defensive end Brandon Jenkins had eight sacks last season, and should improve upon those numbers; 6”2, 301-lb DT Everett Dawkins is a load in the middle; fellow DT Timmy Jernigan was the ACC Defensive Freshman Player of the Year in 2011. That’s just the front four.
The back seven is highlighted by LB Christian Jones, SS Lamarcus Joyner and CB Greg Reid, one of the most dynamic all-around players in college football. Not only is Reid an excellent corner, he is probably the best return man in the game, handling both the kick and punt-return duties. Sophomore FS Karlos Williams will be starting for the first time in 2012, but got on the field last season. He’s a real specimen and should take a profound step forward in ’12. Not only are the starters excellent, but there’s also good depth for the FSU “D”. As a “kicker”, K Dustin Hopkins is the best in the ACC, and the ’Noles have a host of strong-legged options to evaluate for the punting duties.
In terms of scoring points, the offense should at least hold up its end of the bargain. Veteran QB E.J. Manuel combines size and moxie; he also has a balanced cluster of WRs to utilize. Last year’s leading four receivers all return in 2012, led by Rodney Smith and Rashad Greene. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The offensive line has some new faces, but also has talent in the forms of LG Jakob Fahrenkrug and C Bryan Stork. The running game should be just fine with sophomores Devonta Freeman and James Wilder. In the event that Manuel gets injured, back-up Clint Trickett can fill in admirably.
2012-13 Florida State Football Prediction: 13-1
Most people are raving about FSU’s defense, and with good reason. The Seminoles don’t have the lethal offense like division rival Clemson, but if the FSU defense is as stingy as it should be, that is a moot point. Fisher has done an excellent job replacing campus legend Bowden; the strong recruiting should only further cement FSU’s re-emergence as an ACC powerhouse.
Florida State travels to Miami and Virginia Tech on this year’s slate. The ’Noles also meet Clemson and their nemesis, the Florida Gators, in the last game of the season. Clearly, there are some tests in store for this team. Yet, if Manuel can lead the offense and the “D” is as hungry as it looks, Florida State is not only the favorite in the ACC, but a legitimate contender for a national title.
The Sept. 22 meeting versus Clemson will tell us where FSU truly is in its quest back to the top of the national picture.
2012 Florida St. Schedule
9/1/12 6:00 PM ET MURST
9/8/12 6:00 PM ET SAVST
9/15/12 12:00 PM ET WFRST
9/22/12 TBD CLEM
9/29/12 TBD @SOFLA
10/6/12 TBD @NCST
10/13/12 TBD BCOLL
10/20/12 TBD @MIAMI
10/27/12 TBD DUKE
11/8/12 7:30 PM ET @VATCH
11/17/12 TBD @MD
11/24/12 TBD FLA
