The Florida State Seminoles closed the curtains on the BCS era with a thrilling win against the Auburn Tigers in the National Championship Game last season. This coming season, Jameis Winston and the rest of the ‘Noles aim to begin a new era in NCAA Football with another title run, this time via the brand new College Football Playoff.
As noted in our ACC preview, Florida State is the clear-cut favorite to dominate the conference. But can Seminoles prove they’re no one-trick ponies and become the national champions anew? Read on for more on the defending champs.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]2014 Florida State Seminoles Season Preview
Key Player – Jameis Winston
The Florida State Seminoles will go as far as reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston will take them. Last season, Winston lit up the record books by completing 257 of 384 passes for 4,057 passing yards and 40 touchdowns against only 10 interceptions. He also topped the nation with a passer efficiency rating of 184.8. Those numbers translated into a perfect season for the Seminoles, which they capped off by winning the BCS National Championship Game over Auburn.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Winston’s role in the success of this team will be magnified even more this season, when he begins work with a modified set of receivers. With the departures of Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin, two of his top three receiving targets, Winston’s chemistry with incoming receivers will define whether his sophomore season will be a better one than his Heisman-winning first year at Tallahassee.
Many are counting for another explosive season from Winston, which his price of +300 to win the 2014 Heisman Trophy clearly illustrates.
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Strength – Offensive Line
Winston will be protected this upcoming season by arguably the nation’s best offensive line, which has four starters returning from last year’s championship-winning team. This cast includes tackle Cameron Erving, center Austin Barron, and guards Tre Jackson and Josue Matias.
Erving, a first-team All-American who could have easily been a first-round pick had he entered the NFL Draft, decided to return for one more year of duty, which is huge for Winston and the Seminoles’ offense. Guards Jackson and Matias are also primed to accompany Erving as All-America selections this season.
Weakness – Depth in the Wide Receiver Position
Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin are gone, but senior Rashad Greene (whose 76 receptions and 1,128 receiving yards were the best on the team in 2013) returns as Winston’s number one receiver. Finding a partner opposite for Green will be a major challenge for the Seminoles. The top candidates to be the team’s No. 2 receiver are senior Scooter Haggins, who missed all of last season due to injury, and sophomore Jesus Wilson.
Coach Jimbo Fisher could also take a long look at his incoming trio made up of Travis Rudolph, Ermon Lane and Javon Harrison. However, Fisher’s intricate playbook could delay their contribution to the team as it takes longer time to learn.
Key Game – November 29 vs. Florida
It’s hard to repeat as champions. It’s also hard to duplicate a perfect season. But the Seminoles could see a repeat of their twin-feats last season, thanks in part to their relatively light schedule. If indeed the Seminoles race out to a hot start, an undefeated season would again be all the talk at Tallahassee in November against the Gators.
Prediction
The Seminoles make the four-team playoff as the No. 1 seed, then clinch a finals berth, where they win their second-straight national championship.
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