FLORIDA STATE

COACH - Bobby Bowden, 33rd season, 300-87-4; career record 373-119-4.

LAST YEAR - 7-6, 4-4 ACC. Lost in Music City Bowl.

OFFENSE - The big question - again - surrounds senior quarterback Drew Weatherford and whether he can hold off the competition for the starting job from sophomores Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson. Weatherford spent his first three years in competition for the starting assignment with Xavier Lee, who left school in hopes of playing professionally. The big threats offensively, receivers Greg Carr and Preston Parker, combined for 107 catches good for 1,587 yards and RB Antone Smith rushed for 819 yards and three TDs. Center Ryan McMahon and guard Rodney Hudson appear to be stars-in-the making, but they'll have to anchor an otherwise totally inexperienced OL.

DEFENSE - The Seminoles start the season thin at tackle with the departure of Andre Fluellen and LeTroy Guion, who were both mid-round NFL draft choices. They'll also be short-handed until the fourth game when OLB Dekoda Watson and CB Patrick Robinson return from a four-game academic suspension. Junior DE Everette Brown and veteran MLB Derek Nicholson are also back along with safety Myron Rolle, who coaches want to see develop into something more than just a dependable tackler.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Punter Graham Gano returns but placekicker Gary Cismesia is gone. World-class sprinter Michael Ray Garvin doubles as a kickoff return specialist and CB.

KEY LOSSES - DT's Andre Fluellen and Letroy Guion, LB Geno Hayes, PK Gary Cismesia and WR De'Cody Fagg.

OPENER - Sept. 6 vs. Western Carolina

PIVOTAL GAMES - Sept. 20 vs. Wake Forest, Oct. 4 at Miami, Oct. 25 vs. Virginia Tech, Nov. 8 vs. Clemson.

OUTLOOK - With a favorable home schedule, that includes ACC brethren Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Boston College and archrival Florida, the Seminoles will find out if they're on the way back or just another run-of-the-mill team following successive 7-6 seasons. But it'll require some help from a heralded group of newcomers, now just unknown hopefuls.


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