Florida State Seminoles
Overall Rank: #13
#2 ACC
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Just when you thought Florida State was out of the woods with off the field issues after the departure of Jameis Winston, on came the offseason where key players like Dalvin Cook and others had domestic violence incidents and other issues. These issues have kept Florida State in the news for all the wrong reasons nationally and have raised questions about the level of discipline in the program. It is up to head coach Jimbo Fisher and the players to change their ways in a positive fashion to keep the national media off their back moving forward.
2014 Record: 13-1, 8-0
2014 Bowl: Rose Bowl National Semifinal vs. Oregon L (20-59)
Coach: Jimbo Fisher (58-11 at Florida State, 58-11 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Randy Sanders and Lawrence Dawsey
Defensive Coordinator: Charles Kelly
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Dalvin Cook, RB, 1,008 yards (suspended, Mario Pender, RB, 206 yards
Passing: Sean Maguire, QB, 339 yards
Receiving: Travis Rudolph, WR, 558 yards
Tackles: Reggie Northrup, LB, 122
Sacks: Jalen Ramsey, CB, 3
Interceptions: Nate Andrews, FS, 3
Other Key Returnees: DT Derrick Mitchell, RB Jacques Patrick, LB Terrance Smith, K Roberto Aguayo
Key Losses: QB Jameis Winston, WR Rashad Greene, TE Nick O'Leary, CB Ronald Darby, CB P.J. Williams, DE Mario Edwards, C Cameron Erving, OG Tre Jackson, OT Bobby Hart, RB Karlos Williams
Strengths:
The overall speed and athleticism despite the loss of 29 players to the NFL Draft in the past three years is still prevalent in Tallahassee. Nate Andrews and Jalen Ramsey are going to be critical playmakers in a secondary that will have to lead the defense in 2015. Reggie Northrup is relentless when it comes to having a nose for the football as he had 122 tackles last season to lead the Seminoles. The combination of Travis Rudolph and Jesus Wilson should be enough to offset the loss of Rashad Greene out at wide receiver. In close games, Coach Fisher can turn to one of the best kickers in all of college football in Roberto Aguayo who is absolutely money when it comes to making big kicks.
Weaknesses:
The quarterback position is a huge question mark as Sean Maguire and Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson will battle it out for the chance to replace Jameis Winston. Maguire did a nice job in navigating the Seminoles to a big win over Clemson last year when Winston sat out due to a suspension for his off-field antics. Golson does have the experience of leading the Fighting Irish to the national title game a couple of seasons ago but last year Golson was a turnover machine. It will be critical for Golson to take care of the football if he were to win the starting job. Defensively, Florida State has to generate a pass rush at a much more effective rate in 2015. Demarcus Walker, under the tutelage of defensive line coach Brad Lawing, could have a breakout season at defensive end. Lawing has developed guys like Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler so he has a proven track record.
The Bottom Line:
The non-conference schedule is light enough in the first few weeks of the season to buy the Seminoles time to gel. The offensive line is another critical question mark heading into the 2015 season. Florida State will be breaking in a brand new offensive line as four starters were lost to the NFL Draft. Left Tackle Roderick Johnson is going to have to be the leader right away as he did start the final five games last season. Overall, the Seminoles will have a bit of a learning curve and it might be too much to ask for a win at Clemson. But this team should be good enough, once it solves the quarterback position, to win ten games and possibly get a New Year's six bowl berth.
Projected Bowl: Russell Athletic Bowl
2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 138.1 (95th in nation, 12th in conference)
Passing Offense: 303.3 (14, 1)
Total Offense: 441.4 (35, 2)
Scoring Offense: 33.7 (33, 2)
Rushing Defense: 170.1 (71, 11)
Pass Defense: 226.8 (59, 10)
Total Defense: 396.9 (61, 11)
Scoring Defense: 25.6 (49, 9)
Turnover Margin: -0.43 (101, 14)
Sacks: 1.21 (114, 14)
Sacks Allowed: 1.64 (35, 7)
Madness 2016 NFL Draft Rankings:
#12 Jalen Ramsey
#69 Reggie Northrup
#70 Nate Andrews
#77 Terrance Smith
Madness 2015 Recruit Rankings:
#5 Derwin James
#9 Josh Sweat
#15 George Campbell
#18 Tarvarus McFadden
#34 Jacques Patrick
#58 Deondre Francois
#67 Abdul Bello
#94 Da'Vante Phillips
#149 Marcus Lewis
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