Predicting the 2010 Florida State Seminoles - Moojenowski's Blog

Moojenowski's Blog

Predicting the 2010 Florida State Seminoles

Posted on June 27, 2010 at 11:54 PM.

(10)

Well, I feel that Ponder and the FSU offense is capable to do some serious damage with a solid O-line and a pretty solid group of wide outs and running backs. A lot of people say that we don't have that marquee playmaker on offense, but I feel that we have a good, healthy stable of running backs (Jermaine is reliable, Thompson has a HR threat when he touches, Pryor is a horse, and Smiley is an absolute land monster). We also have Bert Reed and Jarmon Fortson who are solid wide outs and offer good targets for Ponder. We also had the nations best punt returner in Greg Reid and incoming freshman Lemarcus Joyner (Corner, returner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92qrAV0Impo) who could play some role returning and on defense this year.

The defense is going to be the biggest question mark, but I have hopes that with competent coaching we'll see strides in the right direction. I'm not expecting miracles, but middle of the pack defensively. We no longer have Chuck Amato implementing his "go make plays" techniques on the linebackers and Stoops has us playing more zone, which is quite frightening when you think of a wide out coming over the middle with the Nigels waiting to lay a hit... Everyone knows how bad we were on D, and it really starts with the D line, which is a place that we're still a bit small. If they can get a solid pass rush its going to give our coverage guys a bit of an edge to use their speed and talent to keep what happened on a regular basis from happening again. Our safeties looked for safety help in 09, there wasn't communication, tacklers took poor angles, and we had a terrible pass rush... I expect strides in the right direction at all levels on the defense, which is what I saw at the spring game.

If Ponder stays healthy this team could be very, very good. Their is a feeling on campus that I haven't felt here since we beat Miami my freshman year (05). Jimbo has the entire program revamped, the coaching staff is young and energetic and you can tell how confident and excited this team is talking to players on campus. The new S & C group is outstanding, the weight our team has added and the constant monitoring during workouts has shown, this team is getting big. The defense is going to be all about building on accomplishments during the season and gaining confidence... Opening with Samford is big for that, we need our offense to come out firing and our defense to get physical.

Best case scenario: 10-2, ACC Champs, Orange Bowl

Sept. 4, 2010 Samford W
Sept. 11, 2010 at Oklahoma Toss-up
Sept. 18, 2010 BYU W
Sept. 25, 2010 Wake Forest W
Oct. 2, 2010 at Virginia W
Oct. 9, 2010 at Miami-FL Slight edge FSU
Oct. 16, 2010 Boston College W
Oct. 28, 2010 at NC State W
Nov. 6, 2010 North Carolina Slight edge FSU
Nov. 13, 2010 Clemson W (No Kyle Parker, this is no longer as close as I was thinking pre-MLB draft)
Nov. 20, 2010 at Maryland W
Nov. 27, 2010 Florida Toss-up

What I think: 9-3 with an ACC Championship appearance and a bowl game win

OU, UF, and a UNC or Miami Loss

Like I said, if this team gets on a roll, the defense gets confidence and a early win at OU, they could be a scary team. The players are excited about this years team, and they could end up making plays and bring back some of the Prime Time Swagger that we've missed so much here in Tallahassee.

I think they're a year or two away from being "back" as they say, but I'd be very happy with 9-3/8-4 and a solid improvement by the defense.

Also, I don't see Miami going to the BCS NCG if Jacory throws around 20 INTs... The kid struggled anytime he saw a good defense (3 INTs against Clemson, 4 INTs against UNC, 9-25 against VaTech), had great numbers against weak defenses. I think this may be Miami's best team they've had in a while, but I'm not exactly sold on Jacory. Lately Shannon has been getting out recruited in Miami, I won't be worried about future U teams.

Someone also made a comment about Jimbo's offense against good defenses, I believe UNC had the number 1 pass defense in the country when we played them last year, Ponder was 33-40 395 yds 3 TDs.

I want to drink all the Jimbo-Stoops Kool-aid and say we have a shot to be a one loss team this year, I'm just not sold on the idea of our defense winning games for us yet, especially after watching BJ Daniel beat us going 8-21 through the air. I understand all the homer talk and what not, but put yourself in a life long Noles fan's shoes after Jimbo came in, cleaned house, and brought in a bunch of young, energetic coaches and recruits... Its really hard not to get excited about this years team and the direction of the program at all levels.

P.S. Jeff Luc is a freak... I saw him at Moe's the other day, he looks like he has three heads.

Comments

# 1 jmik58 @ Jun 28

Good info and thanks for sharing. I agree this will be a big year for FSU. Check out my ACC preview at Offthebag.com

# 2 aimiami @ Jun 28

the reason he threw 20 INTS is because of his o line.. not because hes a bad football player. even the "esperts" say a good o line is when hes going to be successful

# 3 aimiami @ Jun 28

*experts

# 4 Moojenowski @ Jun 28

I think he's a good player, I'm just not sold on him yet... He has some great weapons at wide out to throw to. This is a big year for him and Miami.

# 5 aimiami @ Jun 28

well thats understandable... i think ponder is a top 3 qb in acc easily. i think hes gota stay healthy for them to have a good or a great season (like you said)

# 6 Moojenowski @ Jun 28

A lot of people say that about Ponder, but most don't really realize that it was a bit of a freak injuring trying to make a TD saving tackle after throwing an INT against Clemson... EJ came in, went 3-1 and earned Gator Bowl MVP in his absence, so we have a serviceable backup if the worst happens.

# 7 Aggies7 @ Jun 28

If Ponder stays healthy I think your predictions will be pretty accurate.

# 8 aimiami @ Jun 28

yeah hes not too bad, but ponder is the better player. he will get a couple more wins then manual

# 9 Aggies7 @ Jun 29

I agree with having a decent backup...but like most teams you dont want to have to go to your back up. Personally I hope Ponder stays healthy and FSU wins the ACC. FSU is about the only ACC team I can stand to see win.

# 10 Moojenowski @ May 24

Looks like I nailed my preseason prediction of 9-3 regular season, ACC Champ appearance and bowl win.