The Future Looks Bright for Florida State

53,818 fans filled Doak Campbell Stadium to watch Florida State take on... themselves! The Seminole faithful gathered to watch the annual Garnet and Gold game, the culmination of spring practice. Garnet barely edged out Gold 19-17.

Florida State enters the 2011 season with high expectations and rightfully so. Following a 10 win season which included winning the ACC's Atlantic Division and the Chick-fil-A Bowl (where they beat Head Ball Coach and South Carolina), Coach Jimbo Fisher went out and scored the nation's number one recruiting class, plus his team returns 18 starters. Sounds like a recipe for success.

Leading the charge is new starting quarterback EJ Manuel. Fortunately Manuel was able to complete the full spring practice session, something he hasn't done before. In the spring game he was 17 for 36 with 204 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Fisher said he learned more watching Manuel bounce back from mistakes than if his quarterback would have had a perfect game. This could be a breakout year for the the Virginia Beach native.

Manuel's targets include returning receivers Rodney Smith, Taiwan Easterling, Bert Reed and Willie Haulstead. One thing the Seminoles need is a big play receiver. Hoping to fill that void is Kelvin Benjamin. The 6'6" 210 pound freshman out of Glades Central (FL) has explosive speed and may be the deep threat Florida State is looking for.

Another freshman hoping to have an immediate impact is Nick O'Leary, the nation's top tight end prospect. O'Leary, grandson of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has strong hands, plus his on field versatility is attractive. Look for him to challenge for the starting position.

When it comes to the rushing attack the Seminoles have plenty of weapons in their arsenal. Returning upperclassmen include running backs Chris Thompson, Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones, who together combined for nearly 2,000 yards last season, along with productive fullback Lonnie Pryor. Freshman James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman add to an already deep running back corp.

The defense had a solid 2010 season and will continue to build on that foundation. Greg Reid, who picked up right where he left off last season snagging a pick six in the spring game, along with 2010 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Xavier Rhodes, team sack leader Brandon Jenkins and leading tackler Nigel Bradham will spearhead the defense.

The defensive line added depth and should be fun to watch. One player to keep an eye on is junior college transfer and phenomenal athlete Tank Carradine. Look for him to compete for the starting defensive end position opposite Brandon Jenkins.

Coach Fisher has assembled all the pieces necessary to compete for the BCS National Championship. He returns 18 starters (though replacing four year starting center Ryan McMahon will be key), added top notch depth and has invigorated new life into Florida State football. Now it is up to his players to make it happen on the field.

Florida State Football: High Expectations for the 2011 Seminoles

On the football field replacing a three year starter is a daunting task and if that starter happens to be your quarterback, well that can be difficult. Now if you're Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher that task becomes a little easier with EJ Manuel leading the team.

For the last three years the Seminoles were mainly Christian Ponder's team, but Manuel was always ready when his number was called. It's not often the backup quarterback is the most valuable player in a bowl game, an honor bestowed on Manuel in the 2009 Gator Bowl, plus he led the team to victory over South Carolina in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Manuel, a Virginia Beach, VA native, is 4-2 as a starter. Last season he completed 70 percent of his passes, racked up 861 yards, including four touchdowns and four interceptions. That experience will come in handy as Florida State enters this season with high expectations. They scored the nation's number one recruiting class plus return 18 starters. Needless to say Coach Fisher has the makings of a dominate football team.

The 6-foot-5, 230 pound Manuel began spring practice this week, a huge accomplishment considering he's never completed the full session of spring practice. A healthy Manuel helps with team chemistry and allows the coaching staff more time to really work with him.

Fisher is already impressed with Manuel, saying "He's driven... holds himself to a higher standard, that's why I love him and his teammates respect him. He's got presence. He gives you a feeling that when he gets the ball everything is going to be OK."

The Seminoles will rely on that presence come fall, especially when they face Oklahoma on September 17 in Tallahassee and then turn around to face Clemson in Death Valley. Later in the season they face rivals Miami and Florida.

Luckily Manuel will have help from his supporting cast, including running back Chris Thompson and cornerback Greg Reid, last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl offensive and defensive MVP's, along with last year's ACC defensive rookie of the year Xavier Rhodes and team sack leader defensive end Brandon Jenkins.

Throughout 2010 we watched Coach Fisher step out of Bobby Bowden's shadow and begin laying a new foundation. In the upcoming season he will undoubtedly expect more from his players. He's assembled a National Championship caliber team and has made it clear if the ball is in Manuel's hands he believes everything will be OK. I'm sure the Seminoles fans are counting on that.