2009 Statistics

2010 OUTLOOK
Jimbo Fisher takes over for Bobby Bowden. This is the headline story. He has a running start after completing a two-year apprenticeship as the "Head Coach in waiting". What also works well in Fisher's favor is the fact he returns a wealth of offensive talent that includes 11 full-time starters from a year ago. At the top of the talent heap is senior QB Christian Ponder who had established himself as one of the nation's top passers while averaging over 300 yards per game a year ago. That was before a separated shoulder in the ninth game ended his season but at the same time ended any debate as to whether Ponder would skip his senior season for the NFL Draft. His status for the spring was in doubt until he showed up in the best shape of his life and the senior exceeded everyone's expectations. The offensive line that once was a total disaster just three seasons ago is now the strongest unit on the team thanks to the work of offensive line coach Rick Trickett. Two-time All-American Rodney Hudson leads a group of veterans up front. The Noles bring back an entire set of blockers that have spent multiple years as a starting group. The running backs will be by committee approach with both Chris Thompson and Jermaine Thomas bringing back a great deal of carries from 2009. The receivers are talented but raw. Bert Reed was the team's top pass catcher last fall. Getting Taiwan Easterling back from chasing his major league baseball dream for one more season would be a huge boost.

The defense has been totally revamped from a coaching standpoint. Gone is longtime coordinator Mickey Andrews. In steps former Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops (brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops). Trying to salvage something from one of the worst defenses in all of college football will be a tall task. The Seminoles could not stop the run or the pass as they allowed some of the lesser offenses and quarterbacks move the ball up and down the field at will. On paper, the talent may not be that short. How quickly these current players grasp Stoops' diverse schemes will tell the story. Finding a pass rush will be a huge bonus as these defensive ends only managed a putrid four sacks all of last fall.

FSU is coming off their third 7-6 campaign in the past four years and the talent level is still not close to what the Bowden dynasty (1987-2000) utilized. The defense is the whole key under Stoops' control. The offense could be the best the ACC has to offer with so much experience. With a little help on the other side, the Noles head to a championship game...conference that is.