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Updated: August 18, 5:17 PM ET Real the real FSU please stand up By Gregg Doyel Special to ESPN.com |
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Florida State Seminoles
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Conference record: 7-1 Returning starters: Offense: 4, Defense: 10, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Greg Jones* (938 yds) Passing: Chris Rix* (1,684 yds) Receiving: Anquan Boldin (1,011 yds) Tackles: Kendyll Pope* (131) Sacks: Alonzo Jackson (13) Interceptions: Stanford Samuels* and Bryant McFadden* (3 each) Outlook: The FSU offense will be a mystery, considering none of the four returning starters had more than nine starts last season. QB Chris Rix has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in two seasons, but to whom does he throw this season? Four of his top five targets from a year ago are gone. If talented TB Greg Jones can't return to form from a knee injury, or can't find running room behind a rebuilt line, look out below. The defense should be decent with 10 starters back, but remember, this is the same defense that was eighth in the ACC last season against the pass, allowing 235 passing yards per game. Key game: Miami comes to town Oct. 11, and either the Seminoles are going to be men, or they're going to be mice. A real FSU team beats Miami at Doak Campbell Stadium, especially a Miami team with a first-year starter at quarterback. The "new" FSU -- the one that lost a combined nine games the past two seasons -- rolls over at home. Which will it be? Keep an eye on: Rix has the talent, but does he have the leadership skills to bring the Seminoles back into the Top 10? Last season teammates criticized his aloof attitude and also his penchant for scrambling too soon. That kind of internal squabbling could ruin the Seminoles from the start, considering their backup quarterback is unreliable Fabian Walker. It's a good year if. . .: The Seminoles finish in the top three of the league, ahead of either Virginia, Maryland or NC State. Finishing fourth (or worse) is proof that Florida State is no longer Florida State, just another mortal program that has been bypassed by the new guard of ACC football. Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer.
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