The Seminoles enter their first season without Bobby Bowden with an offense poised to make a run at the ACC title game.
The schedule We’ll learn a lot about Jimbo Fisher’s impact as head coach when Florida State takes on Oklahoma in Norman on September 11. The Seminoles challenging non-conference schedule continues with a home game against BYU a week later. In truth these games will matter little, unless the ‘Noles somehow enter the national title discussion. In 2010 it’s all about the ACC for FSU.
Wake Forest will be no easy task at home while Florida State will be underdogs when they travel to face the Hurricanes in Miami on October 9. North Carolina, NCAA sanctions notwithstanding, will prove a tough test at home as will Boston College. The Seminoles finish the regular season with a home game against rivals Florida, again a non-conference game likely to lack any tangible impact despite the obvious glamour.
The players Get ready for some serious offense. Jimbo Fisher took three years to turn FSU into an attacking force but once 2009 came around Florida State proved to be an offensive juggernaut in the ACC. Fisher has worked wonders with quarterbacks like JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn in the past, so it’s little surprise he was able to mould Ponder into one of the most dangerous passers in all of College Football. Despite having lots of talent around him, with a total of 10 returning starters on offense, the Florida State signal-caller can also get the job done on the ground when needs be.
The big College Football betting questions surround the defense. This will be Fisher’s first year turning around a unit with just 6 returning starters. Don’t expect miracles right away. Bringing FSU’s defense up to an elite level will take a couple of seasons but I still expect to see some strides made in 2010.
The forecast With Clemson forced to find a replacement for CJ Spiller, the ACC Atlantic is there for the taking. This may be Fisher’s first test as a head coach but given he was able to turn around the offense almost single-handedly, I like his chances of succeeding now that he has his own guys on the coaching staff.
While the Seminoles should move forward this season. I expect there to be bumps in the road. The road game against Oklahoma and home game with Florida will both likely end in defeat. It’s also hard to see anyone staying unbeaten in the ACC this season. I like the Seminoles to post a 9-3 regular season record, winning the Atlantic Division and putting up a strong fight in the title game. Bet on Florida State to take a step forward in 2010.
