N.C. State
Last year: The Wolfpack went 3-9 overall, 0-8 in the ACC to join Virginia as the only other winless-in-the-conference team. It was not the start head coach Dave Doeren -- who came over from Northern Illinois -- was looking for in his first year leading State. N.C. State started out 3-1 with wins over Louisiana Tech, Richmond, and Central Michigan and a respectable 26-14 loss to Clemson. It was all downhill from there, though, as State lost its final eight games, all but one by doubt digits. N.C. State had lots of injuries, losing 40 starts in total from various positions. At quarterback, whether it was Pete Thomas or Brandon Mitchell, the results weren't pretty. Mitchell, a transfer from Arkansas, started the first game of the season but got hurt and then did not start again until the Florida State game Oct. 26. Thomas started six games and completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,667 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Mitchell started the other six games and completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,011 yards, seven TDs, and six picks. Running back Shadrach Thornton paced the Wolfpack with 768 yards and four TDs while Mitchell, a running QB, recorded 174 yards and two scores. Rashard Smith led the receiving corps with 49 catches for 530 yards and three TDs. Bryan Underwood was second on the team with 32 catches, 380 yards, and a touchdown. Jumichael Ramos and Quintin Payton each caught three touchdowns. The Wolfpack defense gave up 30.2 points and just a tad under 400 yards of offense per game.
Offense: The unit returns six starters, but most importantly, there is a quarterback available that the team is excited about. That guy is Jacoby Brissett, a junior, and another transfer, this one from Florida. Brissett sat out last season and was State's offensive scout team player of the year. In two seasons at Florida, he started two games and completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 455 yards, three touchdowns, and four picks. As for running back, Thornton should be thanking Doeren. Thornton has been at the center of two assaults on females investigations (one, in June 2013, resulted in a misdemeanor charge, one from last December was dropped) and marijuana was found in his and his roommates' apartment sometime last year as well. He was suspended for six months in the offseason, but recently Doeren said that Thornton is back in the good graces of the football team, fulfilling all of his requirements to get in positive standing. Having Thornton not missing time could be huge for the offense as Brissett gets his feet under him. Sophomore Matt Dayes is a reliable backup who gained 252 yards and scored four TDs a year ago. Senior Tony Creecy (125 yards, one TD) provides depth. At receiver, Smith and Payton are gone, but the corps is expected to receive a boost from freshman Bo Hines, who enrolled early in January and reportedly had a fantastic spring season. Underwood and Ramos are back, and another key returner is Marquez Valdes-Scantling (22 catches, 281 yards). The offensive line returns four starters, but the competition for time should be fierce as Doeren brought in five fairly highly regarded freshman linemen.
Defense: This unit has seven starters returning but the Wolfpack defensive scheme is changing from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 to try to get more speed on the field. Defensive end Art Norman, N.C. State's sacks leader last season with 4.5, returns and the Wolfpack welcome two four-star defensive ends into the fold as well, Justin Jones and Kentavius Street. On the interior, Thomas Teal (40 tackles, 10.5 for loss, three sacks) returns. Linebacker Robert Caldwell, last season's leading tackler (105, also 14.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one INT) is gone, as is linebacker D.J. Green (65 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, two INTs). Four-star freshman linebacker Germaine Pratt could see time at LB but State does have some production returning in Brandon Pittman (62 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks). Pratt could also see time in the secondary as that extra defensive back in the new scheme. Otherwise, on the back end, Dontae Johnson (82 tackles, three picks) is gone but the rest of the secondary is experienced, yet still young. The leading returning interception men with two each are sophomore cornerback Jack Tocho and junior safety Hakim Jones.
Special teams note: Niklas Slade was one of the bright spots last year, connecting on 19 of 23 field goals (9 for 9 from 20-29 yards and 9 of 12 from 30-49 yards) and should be one of the best kickers in the ACC. Punter Will Baumann, who got a shade over 42 yards per boot a season ago returns as well, but the Wolfpack lose a major weapon in Smith, who, in addition to playing WR, was a return man who averaged almost 24 yards per kick return but really shined on punt returns with a 14.2 yard average and two scores.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, at South Florida, Presbyterian, Florida State, at Clemson, Boston College, at Louisville, at Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, at North Carolina. A team coming off a 3-9 year and with a new QB couldn't ask for a much better opening four-game stretch. Georgia Southern and ODU are respectable opponents but both are in their first full years as FBS members. South Florida is not a particularly good program and the Wolfpack will cruise over Presbyterian, known as the Blue Hose. State should probably go 3-1 in that stretch and could quite possibly go 4-0. Then the Wolfpack will receive a wake-up call with the Seminoles and Tigers. N.C. State could get to six wins and bowl eligibility if it could eek out wins over teams such as BC, Syracuse, and Wake, but it won't be easy. Doeren has yet to prove himself in Raleigh, and this year's team is still not on the stablest of grounds, but it could show promise. If Brissett is as good as expected and the defense can keep games close, State could surprise the ACC a little bit.
Win-loss prediction: 4-8 or 5-7
Clemson
Last year: The Tigers recorded a mark of 11-2 a year ago, 7-1 in the ACC and beat Ohio State in the Orange Bowl, 40-35. The Tigers opened the season with an exciting win over Georgia, 38-35. They then rattled off victories over South Carolina State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Boston College before a huge showdown with fellow undefeated team and ACC Atlantic Division foe Florida State. The contest failed to live up to the hype, however, as the Seminoles rocked the Tigers, 51-14. Clemson cruised to four more wins after the loss before dropping its second game of the season, 31-17, to rival South Carolina. The Tigers rebounded with a nice performance in the Orange Bowl. Tajh Boyd had a really good year at quarterback for the Tigers, completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 3,851 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. At tailback, Roderick McDowell netted 1,025 yards and five touchdowns while Boyd showed off his wheels as well, scoring 10 rushing touchdowns and tallying 400 rushing yards. Sammy Watkins had a fantastic season at wideout, accumulating 101 catches for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was drafted fourth overall in May by the Bills. Martavis Bryant chipped in 42 catches for 828 yards and seven scores while Adam Humphries caught 41 balls for 483 yards and two TDs. Defensively, Clemson gave up 356.7 yards and 22.2 points per game while sacking quarterbacks 38 times and forcing 30 turnovers.
Offense: Only five starters return to the offense. The Boyd era is finally over and Clemson now turns to senior Cole Stoudt, who gets his chance to lead the Tiger offense. Stoudt has looked good in his limited time.
A year ago he completed 47 of 59 passes for 415 yards, five TDs, and zero interceptions. In his Clemson career, he has completed 86 of 119 passes (72.3 percent) for 742 yards, eight scores, and one pick. Really solid numbers for a backup. I'm not really expecting a huge dropoff from Boyd to Stoudt, really. Stoudt will see more stout competition and fewer backups, but he should do a fine job in the offense. McDowell is no longer on the team and Clemson turns to D.J. Howard (213 yards, two TDs) and Zac Brooks (246 yards, two TDs) in the backfield. Supplementing them will be C.J. Davidson (155 yards, four TDs). Obviously, the Tigers lose a big weapon in Watkins, and Bryant is also in the NFL now. McDowell is a loss in the passing game as well, as he caught 29 balls and two TDs. Humphries does return, giving the Tigers an experienced senior at wide receiver. Germone Hopper (23 receptions, 149 yards, two scores), Mike Williams (20 catches, 316 yards, three TDs), Charone Peake (eight catches, 84 yards, one TD), and Daniel Rodriguez (seven catches, 20 yards, one TD) will step into bigger roles. The offensive line returns three starters.
Defense: Seven starters return and every starter on the defensive line comes back, making this one of the most formidable groups in the ACC. The DL is led by end Vic Beasley, who recorded 44 tackles a season ago, 23 which were for loss, and 13 sacks. Two other key returners on the line are end Corey Crawford (52 tackles, 10.5 for loss, three sacks) and tackle Grady Jarrett (83 tackles, 11 for loss, two sacks). Leading tackler linebacker Stephone Anthony (131 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, four sacks) is back but second leading tackler LB Spencer Shuey (119, 7.5 for loss, one sack) must be replaced. Clemson welcomes back safeties Robert Smith (79 tackles, 2.5 for loss, one pick) and leading interception maker Jayron Kearse (four), too, but the Tigers must replace fellow four-interception defensive back Bashaud Breeland.
Special teams note: Clemson will miss kicker Chandler Catanzaro (13 of 14). Humphries was fairly successful at returning punts last season (10.6 yards per return) but Clemson could use some help returning kicks, as Watkins only gained 20.9 yards per return and Clemson, as a team, was just at 18.8 yards per return.
Schedule, notes, outlook: at Georgia, South Carolina State, at Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Louisville, at Boston College, Syracuse, at Wake Forest, at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, South Carolina. Georgia and Florida State could be losses and North Carolina probably won't be a picnic. I haven't done a lot of research, but is is probably tough to find a more difficult four-game opening stretch in college football (Virginia's is close). After that, the schedule settles down some and Clemson should get some wins under its belt and then of course will once again have a tough time with the rival Gamecocks. Stoudt should be able to hit the ground running but will certainly miss having three weapons around in Watkins, Bryant, and McDowell. The offense could struggle early with so few returning starters but three offensive linemen returning could stabilize things. The defense is looking really good with key players at each level. The Louisville game will probably be a key contest that will help determine the pecking order in the ACC's Atlantic Division. At this point, Clemson is reloading a little bit as opposed to rebuilding -- the program seems to be at or near that point -- and can plug some players into key positions and be OK.
Win-loss prediction: 8-4 or 9-3
Florida State
Last year: The Seminoles made it back to the top of the mountain last year, going 14-0 overall and 8-0 in the ACC. They then beat Auburn in a thrilling national championship, 34-31. Florida State cruised to wins over Pittsburgh, Nevada, and Bethune-Cookman before being challenged a little bit by Boston College, but FSU still downed the Eagles by 14 points. After that, the Seminoles were never really in a close game until facing Auburn. FSU won the nine games between the BC and Auburn contests by an average of 45 points, with the closest game being a 41-14 blowout of Miami. It was a truly a dominating year by the 'Noles. Freshman quarterback Jameis Winston blitzed the national scene with a high level of play, pizzazz, enthusiasm for the game, and fun interviews. He won the Heisman Trophy and completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 4,057 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 219 yards and four touchdowns. The Seminoles had three running backs gain more than 500 yards. Devonta Freeman led the way with 1,016 yards and 14 TDs and was a fourth-round draft pick of the Falcons. Karlos Williams was next with 730 yards (an exceptional eight yards per carry average) and 11 touchdowns. James Wilder Jr. rounded out the three-pronged attack with 563 yards and eight scores. FSU had three receivers catch at least 54 passes: Rashad Greene (76 catches, 1,128 yards, nine TDs), Kelvin Benjamin (54 receptions, 1,011 yards, 15 touchdowns), and Kenny Shaw (54 catches, 933 yards, six touchdowns). Tight end Nick O'Leary added 33 receptions, 557 yards, and seven touchdowns to the offense. Defensively, Florida State surrendered just 12.1 points and 281.4 yards per game. That wasn't first in the country but it didn't really matter because the offense scored 51.6 points per game and racked up over 500 yards per game.
Offense: Expect the Seminoles -- who return seven starters on this side of the ball -- to be stacked again. Florida State still has Winston. Can he get even better? The team will miss the contributions of Freeman but I think Williams is perfectly up to the challenge of being a feature back. Wilder Jr. has also graduated but Ryan Green (163 yards, one score) and Mario Pender provide depth in the backfield. All the backs get to take advantage of an experienced line that has all but one starter from last year returning and the newcomer, Austin Barron at center, is a senior, as are the rest of the linemen. The 'Noles get back Greene at wideout but lose Benjamin, who is now with the NFL's Panthers. Shaw is also gone as well but FSU can plug in yet another Green, Christian Green, who recorded 13 catches and 157 yards a year ago. Also expect Isaiah Jones, who caught just two passes in 2013, to be a bigger contributor this season. Winston does get back O'Leary at tight end.
Defense: This unit also gets back seven starters. The team's three leading tacklers last year (linebacker Telvin Smith, 90 tackles, 9.5 for loss, two sacks, three interceptions; safety Lamarcus Joyner, 69 tackles, seven for loss, 5.5 sacks, two picks; tackle Timmy Jernigan, 63 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks) are all gone but some key contributors return, including defensive end Mario Edwards (28 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pick), linebacker Terrance Smith (59 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two sacks, one pick), cornerback P.J. Williams (35 tackles, three interceptions) and safety Jalen Ramsey (49 tackles, two for loss, one sack, one pick). A player to watch could be safety Tyler Hunter, who only played three games last year before suffering a neck injury but in those three games, Hunter compiled eight tackles and a pick.
Special teams note: Kicker Roberto Aguayo is just a sophomore and made 21 of 22 field goals last season. The Seminoles also get back a terrific kick returner in sophomore Kermit Whitfield, whose 36.4 yards per return average easily led the FBS in 2013. He tallied two return TDs, one being in the national championship that helped the Seminoles keep pace with the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Oklahoma State (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas), The Citadel, Clemson, at N.C. State, Wake Forest, at Syracuse, Notre Dame, at Louisville, Virginia, at Miami, Boston College, Florida. With a Heisman winner at QB and some other key returners on offense -- including a veteran-laden offensive line -- it is no surprise that FSU is the preseason No. 1 team in the country in various polls and prognostications. The defense loses some major players but is still going to be very good and it probably won't matter if the offense keeps scoring 50 points per game. The offense will carry the team early if the defense needs some time to find itself. Where could the Seminoles trip up? The first game of the season in Jerry World is against Oklahoma State, which is ranked just outside the preseason top 25. The Cowboys are always capable of scoring points. Maybe early in the year, neutral field, OSU can jump on the Seminoles early and try to surprise them. I doubt it, though. Clemson also gets FSU early and could have a chance but that game is in Tallahassee and the Tigers will be breaking in some key players on offense and probably won't be able to keep up with the Seminoles' offense, even if the FSU defense gives up some touchdowns. Maybe Notre Dame can give FSU a game? But again, the 'Noles get the Irish at home so that helps. FSU has to go to both Louisville and Miami. Maybe one of those squads can challenge the national champs. Then, at the end of the year, the Seminoles host the Gators and you have to think Florida will be better than last year, but I don't think that translates into beating FSU in Tallahassee. It is just difficult trying to find a loss on FSU's schedule. The ACC and the rest of the country have their work cut out once again to try and top FSU.
Win-loss prediction: 11-1 or 12-0
Last year: The Wolfpack went 3-9 overall, 0-8 in the ACC to join Virginia as the only other winless-in-the-conference team. It was not the start head coach Dave Doeren -- who came over from Northern Illinois -- was looking for in his first year leading State. N.C. State started out 3-1 with wins over Louisiana Tech, Richmond, and Central Michigan and a respectable 26-14 loss to Clemson. It was all downhill from there, though, as State lost its final eight games, all but one by doubt digits. N.C. State had lots of injuries, losing 40 starts in total from various positions. At quarterback, whether it was Pete Thomas or Brandon Mitchell, the results weren't pretty. Mitchell, a transfer from Arkansas, started the first game of the season but got hurt and then did not start again until the Florida State game Oct. 26. Thomas started six games and completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,667 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Mitchell started the other six games and completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,011 yards, seven TDs, and six picks. Running back Shadrach Thornton paced the Wolfpack with 768 yards and four TDs while Mitchell, a running QB, recorded 174 yards and two scores. Rashard Smith led the receiving corps with 49 catches for 530 yards and three TDs. Bryan Underwood was second on the team with 32 catches, 380 yards, and a touchdown. Jumichael Ramos and Quintin Payton each caught three touchdowns. The Wolfpack defense gave up 30.2 points and just a tad under 400 yards of offense per game.
Offense: The unit returns six starters, but most importantly, there is a quarterback available that the team is excited about. That guy is Jacoby Brissett, a junior, and another transfer, this one from Florida. Brissett sat out last season and was State's offensive scout team player of the year. In two seasons at Florida, he started two games and completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 455 yards, three touchdowns, and four picks. As for running back, Thornton should be thanking Doeren. Thornton has been at the center of two assaults on females investigations (one, in June 2013, resulted in a misdemeanor charge, one from last December was dropped) and marijuana was found in his and his roommates' apartment sometime last year as well. He was suspended for six months in the offseason, but recently Doeren said that Thornton is back in the good graces of the football team, fulfilling all of his requirements to get in positive standing. Having Thornton not missing time could be huge for the offense as Brissett gets his feet under him. Sophomore Matt Dayes is a reliable backup who gained 252 yards and scored four TDs a year ago. Senior Tony Creecy (125 yards, one TD) provides depth. At receiver, Smith and Payton are gone, but the corps is expected to receive a boost from freshman Bo Hines, who enrolled early in January and reportedly had a fantastic spring season. Underwood and Ramos are back, and another key returner is Marquez Valdes-Scantling (22 catches, 281 yards). The offensive line returns four starters, but the competition for time should be fierce as Doeren brought in five fairly highly regarded freshman linemen.Defense: This unit has seven starters returning but the Wolfpack defensive scheme is changing from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 to try to get more speed on the field. Defensive end Art Norman, N.C. State's sacks leader last season with 4.5, returns and the Wolfpack welcome two four-star defensive ends into the fold as well, Justin Jones and Kentavius Street. On the interior, Thomas Teal (40 tackles, 10.5 for loss, three sacks) returns. Linebacker Robert Caldwell, last season's leading tackler (105, also 14.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one INT) is gone, as is linebacker D.J. Green (65 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, two INTs). Four-star freshman linebacker Germaine Pratt could see time at LB but State does have some production returning in Brandon Pittman (62 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks). Pratt could also see time in the secondary as that extra defensive back in the new scheme. Otherwise, on the back end, Dontae Johnson (82 tackles, three picks) is gone but the rest of the secondary is experienced, yet still young. The leading returning interception men with two each are sophomore cornerback Jack Tocho and junior safety Hakim Jones.
Special teams note: Niklas Slade was one of the bright spots last year, connecting on 19 of 23 field goals (9 for 9 from 20-29 yards and 9 of 12 from 30-49 yards) and should be one of the best kickers in the ACC. Punter Will Baumann, who got a shade over 42 yards per boot a season ago returns as well, but the Wolfpack lose a major weapon in Smith, who, in addition to playing WR, was a return man who averaged almost 24 yards per kick return but really shined on punt returns with a 14.2 yard average and two scores.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, at South Florida, Presbyterian, Florida State, at Clemson, Boston College, at Louisville, at Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, at North Carolina. A team coming off a 3-9 year and with a new QB couldn't ask for a much better opening four-game stretch. Georgia Southern and ODU are respectable opponents but both are in their first full years as FBS members. South Florida is not a particularly good program and the Wolfpack will cruise over Presbyterian, known as the Blue Hose. State should probably go 3-1 in that stretch and could quite possibly go 4-0. Then the Wolfpack will receive a wake-up call with the Seminoles and Tigers. N.C. State could get to six wins and bowl eligibility if it could eek out wins over teams such as BC, Syracuse, and Wake, but it won't be easy. Doeren has yet to prove himself in Raleigh, and this year's team is still not on the stablest of grounds, but it could show promise. If Brissett is as good as expected and the defense can keep games close, State could surprise the ACC a little bit.
Win-loss prediction: 4-8 or 5-7
Clemson
Last year: The Tigers recorded a mark of 11-2 a year ago, 7-1 in the ACC and beat Ohio State in the Orange Bowl, 40-35. The Tigers opened the season with an exciting win over Georgia, 38-35. They then rattled off victories over South Carolina State, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Boston College before a huge showdown with fellow undefeated team and ACC Atlantic Division foe Florida State. The contest failed to live up to the hype, however, as the Seminoles rocked the Tigers, 51-14. Clemson cruised to four more wins after the loss before dropping its second game of the season, 31-17, to rival South Carolina. The Tigers rebounded with a nice performance in the Orange Bowl. Tajh Boyd had a really good year at quarterback for the Tigers, completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 3,851 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. At tailback, Roderick McDowell netted 1,025 yards and five touchdowns while Boyd showed off his wheels as well, scoring 10 rushing touchdowns and tallying 400 rushing yards. Sammy Watkins had a fantastic season at wideout, accumulating 101 catches for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was drafted fourth overall in May by the Bills. Martavis Bryant chipped in 42 catches for 828 yards and seven scores while Adam Humphries caught 41 balls for 483 yards and two TDs. Defensively, Clemson gave up 356.7 yards and 22.2 points per game while sacking quarterbacks 38 times and forcing 30 turnovers.
Offense: Only five starters return to the offense. The Boyd era is finally over and Clemson now turns to senior Cole Stoudt, who gets his chance to lead the Tiger offense. Stoudt has looked good in his limited time.
Defense: Seven starters return and every starter on the defensive line comes back, making this one of the most formidable groups in the ACC. The DL is led by end Vic Beasley, who recorded 44 tackles a season ago, 23 which were for loss, and 13 sacks. Two other key returners on the line are end Corey Crawford (52 tackles, 10.5 for loss, three sacks) and tackle Grady Jarrett (83 tackles, 11 for loss, two sacks). Leading tackler linebacker Stephone Anthony (131 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, four sacks) is back but second leading tackler LB Spencer Shuey (119, 7.5 for loss, one sack) must be replaced. Clemson welcomes back safeties Robert Smith (79 tackles, 2.5 for loss, one pick) and leading interception maker Jayron Kearse (four), too, but the Tigers must replace fellow four-interception defensive back Bashaud Breeland.
Special teams note: Clemson will miss kicker Chandler Catanzaro (13 of 14). Humphries was fairly successful at returning punts last season (10.6 yards per return) but Clemson could use some help returning kicks, as Watkins only gained 20.9 yards per return and Clemson, as a team, was just at 18.8 yards per return.
Schedule, notes, outlook: at Georgia, South Carolina State, at Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Louisville, at Boston College, Syracuse, at Wake Forest, at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, South Carolina. Georgia and Florida State could be losses and North Carolina probably won't be a picnic. I haven't done a lot of research, but is is probably tough to find a more difficult four-game opening stretch in college football (Virginia's is close). After that, the schedule settles down some and Clemson should get some wins under its belt and then of course will once again have a tough time with the rival Gamecocks. Stoudt should be able to hit the ground running but will certainly miss having three weapons around in Watkins, Bryant, and McDowell. The offense could struggle early with so few returning starters but three offensive linemen returning could stabilize things. The defense is looking really good with key players at each level. The Louisville game will probably be a key contest that will help determine the pecking order in the ACC's Atlantic Division. At this point, Clemson is reloading a little bit as opposed to rebuilding -- the program seems to be at or near that point -- and can plug some players into key positions and be OK.
Win-loss prediction: 8-4 or 9-3
Florida State
Last year: The Seminoles made it back to the top of the mountain last year, going 14-0 overall and 8-0 in the ACC. They then beat Auburn in a thrilling national championship, 34-31. Florida State cruised to wins over Pittsburgh, Nevada, and Bethune-Cookman before being challenged a little bit by Boston College, but FSU still downed the Eagles by 14 points. After that, the Seminoles were never really in a close game until facing Auburn. FSU won the nine games between the BC and Auburn contests by an average of 45 points, with the closest game being a 41-14 blowout of Miami. It was a truly a dominating year by the 'Noles. Freshman quarterback Jameis Winston blitzed the national scene with a high level of play, pizzazz, enthusiasm for the game, and fun interviews. He won the Heisman Trophy and completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 4,057 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 219 yards and four touchdowns. The Seminoles had three running backs gain more than 500 yards. Devonta Freeman led the way with 1,016 yards and 14 TDs and was a fourth-round draft pick of the Falcons. Karlos Williams was next with 730 yards (an exceptional eight yards per carry average) and 11 touchdowns. James Wilder Jr. rounded out the three-pronged attack with 563 yards and eight scores. FSU had three receivers catch at least 54 passes: Rashad Greene (76 catches, 1,128 yards, nine TDs), Kelvin Benjamin (54 receptions, 1,011 yards, 15 touchdowns), and Kenny Shaw (54 catches, 933 yards, six touchdowns). Tight end Nick O'Leary added 33 receptions, 557 yards, and seven touchdowns to the offense. Defensively, Florida State surrendered just 12.1 points and 281.4 yards per game. That wasn't first in the country but it didn't really matter because the offense scored 51.6 points per game and racked up over 500 yards per game.
Offense: Expect the Seminoles -- who return seven starters on this side of the ball -- to be stacked again. Florida State still has Winston. Can he get even better? The team will miss the contributions of Freeman but I think Williams is perfectly up to the challenge of being a feature back. Wilder Jr. has also graduated but Ryan Green (163 yards, one score) and Mario Pender provide depth in the backfield. All the backs get to take advantage of an experienced line that has all but one starter from last year returning and the newcomer, Austin Barron at center, is a senior, as are the rest of the linemen. The 'Noles get back Greene at wideout but lose Benjamin, who is now with the NFL's Panthers. Shaw is also gone as well but FSU can plug in yet another Green, Christian Green, who recorded 13 catches and 157 yards a year ago. Also expect Isaiah Jones, who caught just two passes in 2013, to be a bigger contributor this season. Winston does get back O'Leary at tight end.Defense: This unit also gets back seven starters. The team's three leading tacklers last year (linebacker Telvin Smith, 90 tackles, 9.5 for loss, two sacks, three interceptions; safety Lamarcus Joyner, 69 tackles, seven for loss, 5.5 sacks, two picks; tackle Timmy Jernigan, 63 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks) are all gone but some key contributors return, including defensive end Mario Edwards (28 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pick), linebacker Terrance Smith (59 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two sacks, one pick), cornerback P.J. Williams (35 tackles, three interceptions) and safety Jalen Ramsey (49 tackles, two for loss, one sack, one pick). A player to watch could be safety Tyler Hunter, who only played three games last year before suffering a neck injury but in those three games, Hunter compiled eight tackles and a pick.
Special teams note: Kicker Roberto Aguayo is just a sophomore and made 21 of 22 field goals last season. The Seminoles also get back a terrific kick returner in sophomore Kermit Whitfield, whose 36.4 yards per return average easily led the FBS in 2013. He tallied two return TDs, one being in the national championship that helped the Seminoles keep pace with the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Oklahoma State (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas), The Citadel, Clemson, at N.C. State, Wake Forest, at Syracuse, Notre Dame, at Louisville, Virginia, at Miami, Boston College, Florida. With a Heisman winner at QB and some other key returners on offense -- including a veteran-laden offensive line -- it is no surprise that FSU is the preseason No. 1 team in the country in various polls and prognostications. The defense loses some major players but is still going to be very good and it probably won't matter if the offense keeps scoring 50 points per game. The offense will carry the team early if the defense needs some time to find itself. Where could the Seminoles trip up? The first game of the season in Jerry World is against Oklahoma State, which is ranked just outside the preseason top 25. The Cowboys are always capable of scoring points. Maybe early in the year, neutral field, OSU can jump on the Seminoles early and try to surprise them. I doubt it, though. Clemson also gets FSU early and could have a chance but that game is in Tallahassee and the Tigers will be breaking in some key players on offense and probably won't be able to keep up with the Seminoles' offense, even if the FSU defense gives up some touchdowns. Maybe Notre Dame can give FSU a game? But again, the 'Noles get the Irish at home so that helps. FSU has to go to both Louisville and Miami. Maybe one of those squads can challenge the national champs. Then, at the end of the year, the Seminoles host the Gators and you have to think Florida will be better than last year, but I don't think that translates into beating FSU in Tallahassee. It is just difficult trying to find a loss on FSU's schedule. The ACC and the rest of the country have their work cut out once again to try and top FSU.
Win-loss prediction: 11-1 or 12-0
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