S.I. FSU 2006 Preview

If Bobby Bowden was looking for a reason to step down after his 30th season at Florida State, he could have found several of them.

After suffering five defeats for the second time in four seasons, losing a host of players to the NFL Draft and returning only six scholarship seniors projected to be on the two-deep, the Seminoles have the look of a team in rebuilding mode.

Bowden doesn't believe it, though, and he holds the basketball program at his school's biggest rival as an example of what can be accomplished in 2006.

"Florida's basketball (team) showed it can be done," Bowden says. "They showed a lot of people (that) if the chemistry gets right and you avoid injuries, that's who will win the darn thing."

The Seminoles have plenty of holes to fill coming off an 8-5 season that was highlighted by a triumph over Virginia Tech in the inaugural ACC Championship Game.

First, they must diversify a one-dimensional offense after managing only 94.0 rushing yards per game, the fewest in Bowden's tenure. And with only 10 returning starters -- the fewest of any ACC school -- developing young talent will be essential.

Most of all, they must overcome the mistakes -- penalties, turnovers and missed kicks -- that proved to be their undoing in three of the team's five defeats.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Drew Weatherford broke Philip Rivers' ACC freshman passing record by throwing for 3,208 yards and 18 touchdowns while guiding the Seminoles to the inaugural conference championship game victory over Virginia Tech. He also became the first rookie to lead the league in total offense.

Those were admirable feats considering the Seminoles had the worst rushing attack in 30 seasons under Bowden, which ranked 109th of 117 Division I-A programs. The one-dimensionality of Florida State's offense made it clear just how well Weatherford played in 2005.

Bolstering the run game is the top offensive priority this season, which should bode well for the two-back attack of senior Lorenzo Booker and promising sophomore Antone Smith.

Though the Seminoles have only modestly improved their depth on the offensive line -- junior college transfer tackle Shannon Boatman will start on the right side -- they do return five players with starting experience. Equally important was the spring emphasis on adapting a more physical mentality.

Modest improvement on the ground should serve an already hearty passing game, provided Weatherford cuts down on his mistakes -- he threw 18 interceptions as a freshman.

DEFENSE

Replacing standouts is an annual chore for veteran defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, but this season will be even more of a challenge. The Seminoles lost six of their top seven tacklers, including playmaking tackle Brodrick Bunkley, end Kamerion Wimbley and linebackers Ernie Sims and A.J. Nicholson, who were largely responsible for the team's run to the Orange Bowl.

Senior linebacker Buster Davis, who was second on the team with 91 stops, including 10.5 for loss, will call the shots on the field. Several youngsters -- Lawrence Timmons, Geno Hayes, Derek Nicholson and Jae Thaxton -- have the talent to stabilize the hard-hit linebacker corps.

Up front, junior tackle Andre Fluellen is poised to become FSU's next dominant interior lineman, and depth is not an issue. Developing a quality pass rusher remains a priority and could provide freshmen Everette Brown and Justin Mincey with breakout opportunities early on.

In the secondary, freshman Myron Rolle may end up in the starting lineup as well, following the loss of two veteran safeties. The cornerback position may be a strength after Tony Carter, J.R. Bryant, Trevor Ford and Michael Ray Garvin were baptized under fire last season.

SPECIALISTS

Gary Cismesia authored the latest chapter in FSU's haunted history of kickers, missing a PAT in regulation and two field goals in the overtime Orange Bowl loss to Penn State. Cismesia is back, but the Noles will turn to a new punter. They must also replace electric punt returner Willie Reid.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Bowden put Florida State's victory over Virginia Tech in the inaugural ACC Championship Game right behind his 1993 and 1999 National Championship wins in terms of importance. That triumph salvaged a disappointing 8-5 season that marked the fifth consecutive season the Noles lost at least three games.

The talent to improve is on hand, but consistency has been lacking. If they can correct those shortcomings, the Seminoles could win 10 games this year and be poised for a national championship run in 2007.