(Neon Tommy will be previewing the 2011 College Football Season throughout the summer. You can find links to each of our Top 25 previews here. Today, we preview the team ranked 6th, the Florida State Seminoles.)

 

Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (10-4 at FSU and career)

FSU's 2010 Season: 10-4 (6-2 in ACC). Defeated South Carolina 26-17 in Chick-fil-A Bowl

Offensive Analysis:

-- Seven returning starters

-- Impact Players: QB EJ Manuel, RB Chris Thompson , WR Willie Haulstead

A 10-4 record in Jimbo Fisher's first season at Florida State has set the bar high, and the Seminoles have a team in 2011 that just might reach it. QB EJ Manuel finally takes over the reins under center after racking up a few starts as a backup in both 2009 and 2010. Manuel completed just under 70% of his passes while appearing in 10 games last year, while finishing second on the team in total offense. Manuel and the 'Noles will enjoy plenty of other weapons on offense as well.

FSU returns the top three running backs from 2010 in Chris Thompson, Ty Jones and Jermaine Thomas. Also joining the stable at RB will be highly touted freshman Devonta Freeman. Both Thompson and Thomas have multiple starts on their resumé, but Thompson emerged appeared on top of the depth chart at the end of spring football.

Through the air FSU looks to have a better year in 2011 after finishing 68th in the nation in passing offense last season. Four of the five leading receivers in 2010 are all returning. The only departure is Taiwan Easterlling, who was a two-sport star and elected to pursue his baseball career and sign with the Chicago Cubs. Bert Reed, Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith are all back after recording most of the starts in 2010, and the depth chart features a handful of other guys with starting experience. Look for Haulstead to have a strong year after averaging 15.45 yards a catch and scoring 6 TD's on just 38 receptions in 2010. Beau Reliford returns as a starter at tight end.

Zebrie Sanders, Andrew Datko and David Spurlock return as starters along the offensive line and will be joined by Bryan Stork (who was a part-time starter in 2010) and Jacob Fahrenkrug.

Defensive Analysis:

-- Eight returning starters

-- Impact Players: DL Brandon Jenkins, CB Xavier Rhodes, LB Nigel Bradham

Eight starters return from a defense that led the nation with 48 sacks in 2010. Despite the impressive sack total, the unit was only ranked 42nd nationally in total defense. A second year in the system should go a long way towards an even stronger in 2011.

On the defensive line Brandon Jenkins and Everett Dawkins return as starters. Jenkins led the team in sacks with 13.5 last year and the junior DE looks to improve on that impressive number. Other linemen with starting experience include Jacobbi McDaniel, Anthony McCloud and German transplant Bjoern Werner. JUCO transfer Cornellius "Tank" Carradine arrives as one of the top junior college players in the country and the 'Noles are no doubt hoping he lives up to his nickname.

Two linebackers depart from last year's starting lineup, but Nigel Bradham is back. Bradham was tied for the team lead in tackles in 2010 with 97, while also totaling 5 sacks. Joining Bradham figures to be Christian Jones and either Jeff Luc or Vince Williams.

All four starters in the secondary return including Freshman All-American Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes led the team in interceptions with four last year from his cornerback position last year, and is a true talent . The other corner spot features another former Freshman All-American in junior Greg Reid. The two safety positions will once again be occupied by juniors Terrance Parks and Nicholas Moody.

Strengths:

The depth that this Florida State squad enjoys is valuable. Like many of the other teams in our Top 10 they not only boast a large number of returning starters, but also enjoy backups who have starting experience as well. The schedule has a few bright spots. The 'Noles have the luxury of two "warm-up" games before a big showdown with Oklahoma in Tallahassee. The contest is early enough in the year that if FSU stumbles, they will have plenty of time to recover and remain in the BCS Championship picture, should they win out. Getting to face Miami at home, and missing Virginia Tech in ACC play certainly won't hurt much either.

Areas Of Concern:

The secondary must improve. Though all four starters return, the unit finished 71st nationally in pass defense. If Florida State wants to build off last year's success, that group in particular needs to show significant improvement. There's an old adage that when two rivals meet, records heading into the game don't mean a thing. FSU will face Florida in Gainesville for the final regular season game, a showdown that ultimately could be a deciding factor in the Seminoles' chances at a BCS title - something Gator fans would love to have a say in.

Finals Thoughts: 

The Seminoles have been recruiting well under Fisher, and have upgraded much of the talent on the roster inherited after Bobby Bowden's retirement. That depth should prove to be a great asset in 2011. Manuel is a talented QB and it's expected he will transition nicely into a full-time starter. Florida State has not won an ACC title or played in a BCS bowl game since the 2005 season, but 2011 looks like the year that both streaks will come to an end.

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