BYB Top 25 Countdown - #11 Florida State Seminoles

FSU CB Nick Waisome

Reloading is the mantra for the Florida State in 2013. After rebounding with a 12-2 record last year, including wins in the ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl, the Seminoles have lost half the starters from the team. Florida State outpaced the SEC with the most players drafted to the NFL and the incoming group will have to gain familiarity quickly to match last season’s success.

Gone to the Buffalo Bills is quarterback and team leader E.J. Manuel and gone to West Virginia is top backup Clint Trickett, who left the team only four days after the Seminoles’ spring game. Redshirt freshman Jameis Winston is the odds on favorite to take over the position, though coach Jimbo Fisher continually reiterated during ESPN interviews in late July that sophomore Jacob Coker remains in the mix.

Whoever wins the QB battle will have a new running back to hand off to as Devonta Freeman takes over the starting job, with James Wilder providing short yardage running. Rashad Greene, who has 1,337 yards receiving in two seasons, is back at receiver and leads a deep group. The one area the Seminoles are not fighting inexperience is on the offensive line where the team returns four starters.

Secondary will be the strength for the Seminole defense as three starters return from the best pass defensive in the country in 2012. Florida State only surrendered 161.9 yards a game through the air a year ago and cornerbacks Nick Waisome and Lamarcus Joyner and safety Terrence Brooks will be counted on the continue the good play.

Only Christian Jones returns in the front seven but Mario Edwards Jr., who played in 11 games last season and was the top recruit in the country in 2012, should lead up a line deep on talent.

Florida State lost to intrastate rival Florida last season after breaking the Gators’ six year win streak with a 31-7 win in 2010 and a second straight win in 2011. There’s been many repeat winners in the recent history of the rivalry and I don’t see that changing in 2013 as I have Florida as the Seminoles’ only definite loss of the season. A road game in Death Valley (Clemson) looks like a loss and the annual showdown with Miami should be another close contest as well. I have Florida State at 9-2-1.