Photo Credit: sbnation.com
Winning two championships in a row is certainly not an easy feat, but the 2014-2015 Florida State Seminoles have the potential to become the second team to do it since Alabama won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012.
In the 2013 season, the Seminoles dominated their competition. The only close game of the year came in the national championship game against Auburn, where the Seminoles admirably came back to defeat the Tigers, 34-31. Before that, the games weren’t close….at all.
So you might be reading this and wondering, how could Florida State even have a chance at duplicating that success? The scary thing is, they could be even better this year.
Yes, Florida State lost seven players to the 2014 NFL Draft, but head coach Jimbo Fisher has done an outstanding job not only recruiting, but developing talent. Florida State has talent all over the field, and plenty more sitting on the bench waiting their turn.
Florida State returns the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and unquestioned leader of the team, Jameis Winston. In front of him, the Seminoles return five seniors on the offensive line, who together combine to form one of the best units in the nation.
Winston became the second freshman to win the coveted award, joining former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. He threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns during his freshman campaign and will have just as many weapons to feed the ball to this upcoming season.
Although Florida State lost running backs Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr., the Seminoles return former safety and potential star Karlos Williams. You could see Williams’ potential every time he touched the ball. You get the sense he’s one play away from scoring a touchdown at any given point during the drive. He has the size of a linebacker with running back speed. That’s a scary combination. In his junior season and first at running back, he ran for 730 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 91 carries. Behind Williams are three talented but unproven running backs. Expect to see redshirt-sophomore Mario Pender and true freshman Dalvin Cook get most of the backup carries.
At receiver, losing Kelvin Benjamin early to the NFL will be a bitter pill to swallow but Rashad Greene returned for his senior season, huge news for Fisher. As a senior, Greene is one of the team’s leaders, someone Winston trusts to make big plays. He has 22 career touchdowns, 9 of which came last season. There are question marks as to who will emerge as the second go-to receiver. The Seminoles are bringing in two of the best recruits at the position in Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph. Kermit Whitfield, who may be the fastest player in the country, solidified his spot in the slot position.
Tight end Nick O’Leary will also be back to join the fun and will be one of the best tight end prospects this season. O’Leary, who was one of the most improved players on the team, caught 7 touchdowns for Florida State last year.
On the defensive side of the ball, Florida State has just as much talent as they do on the offensive side of the ball. However, there are more question marks on defense, notably at linebacker.
The Seminoles have three players with first-round draft potential in their secondary. Junior cornerbacks Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams, and sophomore Jalen Ramsey are primed to have great seasons. Darby and Williams are expected to be first round picks in the 2015 draft, assuming they continue to develop and avoid injury. But everyone is talking about Ramsey, who had a great freshman campaign. Ramsey became the second true freshman to start at cornerback for the Seminoles since Deion Sanders….That’s good company, the kind that reeks of upside and high expectations. Ramsey started every game for the top rated pass defense last year. He can play corner and safety and Fisher likes to use him at both. Don’t be surprised to see Ramsey on an All-America list by season’s end.
The number one question mark for the defending champs is at linebacker. Florida State lost starters Christian Jones and Telvin Smith. There is talent at the position but few had much experience last season. Junior Reggie Northrup and Sophomore Matthew Thomas are expected to receive playing time and a chance to start.
On the defense line, Florida State will have to replace Timmy Jernigan at defensive tackle, who surely will be missed. Eddie Goldman is expected to fill that role. Even though he played defensive end last season, Goldman was one of the best defensive tackle prospects coming out of high school. On the outside, Mario Edwards Jr. is one of the best defensive ends in the conference and could have a breakout year. He finished the season with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks and found himself on the All-ACC Third Team.
This year’s schedule will be tougher than last, but Florida State is expected to be favored in every game. The Seminoles open up the season against Oklahoma State at AT&T Stadium (Formerly Cowboys Stadium), which will certainly be no cakewalk. They have home games vs. Clemson, newly added ACC foe Notre Dame, and bitter-rival Florida. The tricky road games are at Louisville and Miami.
Certainly, it will be challenging to repeat as national champions, but if there is one team that can do it, it is this team. Be wary,it is the first year college football will have a Final Four playoff, which means you don’t necessarily have to be undefeated to contend for the title.
One thing is for certain though, Florida State is loaded and is primed for meaningful football come January.
