Outlook
To say that anything short of the national championship would be a disappointment at Florida State is not to put any undue pressure on the Seminoles. They've been saying as much ever since their loss to Tennessee in last year's Fiesta Bowl. The polls seemed to say the same thing, when both preseason editions positioned Bobby Bowden's team atop the national rankings.

The consensus is that this is the best team to come out of Tallahassee since the 1993 edition, which coincidentally, ended the season No. 1. The reasons are many, but a Heisman Trophy candidate on offense, all-America candidates on both sides of the ball and veteran coaching staff seem like good places to start. The Seminoles also bring back 18 starters who should deliver Bowden his 300th career victory by the time November rolls around. And the count should continue into January.

And then there are the guys who will handle the ball. All-American Peter Warrick's decision to return for his senior season did many things, from casting him in the role of Heisman Trophy favorite in the eyes of some, to assuring the Seminoles would be smack dab in the middle of the national title picture in 1999. It also promised to add explosiveness to an a high-scoring unit. The "other" wideout, Ron Dugans, has been overlooked, but is capable of beating teams which try to focus solely on Warrick. Dugans fractured his left ring finger and will miss the season opener. Speedy Laveranues Coles, who was suspended for the season opener injured his left knee in practice. He could be out for the year, further thinning the receiving ranks.

Injuries prevented running back Travis Minor from cracking the 1,000-yard barrier last year, but the junior is capable of great things when healthy. His skills as receiver make him particularly dangerous in the Seminoles' pro set offense. Last, but certainly not least, is the quarterback position, which again belongs to Chris Weinke. His absence in the season's last three games hurt FSU dearly. He didn't participate this spring while completing recovery from the neck surgery that cut '98 short for him, but should be 100 percent for the opener against Louisiana Tech. Top QB recruit Anquan Boldin has told the coaches he wants to play wide receiver and is lighting up scrimmages with his athletic ability.

Cornerback Mario Edwards picked off six passes last year and returns as one of the top cover corners in the country, but is battling Reggie Durden for the starting left cornerback job. Durden's 4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash adds another dimension to this unit. The secondary is also blessed with depth along with ability. Edwards is its top cover man, although he also had five sacks in '98. Strong safety Derrick Gibson is one of the top safeties in the college game. Either Sean Key and talented sophomore Chris Hope could end up as the starting free safety.

It is only at linebacker that you might find a few chinks in the Florida State armor. Last year's unit was ranked No. 1 in the nation, but two standouts must be replaced. Tommy Polley and Brian Allen will take over on the outside, while Bradley Jennings assumes a starting role in the middle.