The Seminoles hear the talk. They're aware of the doubts. They've read the skeptical quotes. Just remember this a few months from now. And remember DE Alonzo Jackson's warning: "There's going to be hell to pay."

One 8–4 season and everyone seems to forget about the 14-year streak of 10 wins and Top 5 finishes. "This isn't me thinking, it's me knowing this year will be much different from last year," says QB Chris Rix. "The improvement this year is night and day."

	Chris Rix has the tools to be another great FSU leader.

Start with Rix. While he acted and played like a freshman at times last year, something seemed to click in the second half, when he topped the 300-yard mark in four of the last six games. With a healthy and deep stable of receivers and the ACC's best O-line returning all five starters, Rix is poised to become one of the nation's elite QBs.

But the defense needs to pick it up. FSU's always been known for its pass rush, but last year's pressure was weak. FSU had 15 sacks, tied for last in the ACC with -- gasp! -- Duke. No wonder the secondary allowed the most passing yards per game in school history. It's a safe bet defensive coordinator/perfectionist Mickey Andrews won't let that happen again. LBs Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope are as good as they come.

Bottom line? The Seminoles are certain last season was just a one-year bump on the dynasty path. Says Jackson: "We're back."

HOT WIRE

The last time the Seminoles returned five offensive line starters was in 1999, when they went 12–0 to become the first wire-to-wire No.1. This year's unit, with a total of 75 career starts, is even better. Averaging 6'5", 305, they're anchored by Outland Trophy candidate T Brett Williams and G Montrae Holland, a steamroller in shoulder pads who was second-team all-conference last season.

TRIP WIRE

Shutdown corners are as much a part of FSU lore as Chief Osceola and Renegade, so last year's collapse was like seeing Osceola in orange and blue. FSU must blitz. CBs must cover one-on-one. No coverage, no blitz. No blitz? Just rewind last year's North Carolina game to see what happens.

WIRE TAP

"You have to believe you can beat them, not just talk about it. Don't get caught up in big plays. Stay patient. Run the ball just to keep the clock moving. The less they have the ball, the better. Confuse them. Give them a look they're not used to seeing -- and never the same one twice. Use the short pass and make them tackle. It frustrates them."

BRISTOL WIRE

Lee Corso: "The offense is as good as anyone's. But defensively, people are catching up to FSU's schemes. Unless they play more zone and not so much man-to-man, they won't win the national title."

The ESPN Power 16
1	Oklahoma	9	Colorado
2	Florida State	10	Washington State
3	Miami	11	Washington
4	Texas	12	Oregon
5	Tennessee	13	Nebraska
6	Florida	14	Michigan State
7	Georgia	15	Virginia Tech
8	Ohio State	16	LSU

This article appears in the September 2 issue of ESPN The Magazine.