Around ACC Spring Football: Florida State

Editor’s note: This is the second of an 11-part series looking around ACC football this spring

The target is on their back, and that’s just how second-year head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles like it.

Fisher led the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2003 by downing South Carolina in the 2010 Chick-Fil-A Bowl and also grabbed their first win over rival Florida since ’03 as well.

In 2011, Christian Ponder is gone at QB, but Tiger fans got well-acquainted with his heir apparent E.J. Manuel last season.

Subbing for an injured Ponder, Manuel posted 281 total yards (70 rushing) and FSU’s lone touchdown in the 16-13 win over Clemson in his first start of 2010.

He will be protected by one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country coming back and there's a quality running back competition behind him.

With a strong offensive unit, all eyes will be on defense where FSU was one of the most improved in the nation from 2009 to 2010.

More on the Seminoles…

Florida State

Returning Starters by Position

Offense (8)

QB: N/A*

RB: 2 (24 career starts)

TE: 1 (15 career starts)

WR: 3 (50 career starts)

O-line: 3 (101 career starts)

Defense (7)

D-line: 4 (61 career starts)

LB: 1 (27 career starts)

DB: 4 (56 career starts)

Kicker/Punter (2)

PK: 1 (27 career starts)

P: 1 (27 career starts)

*E.J. Manuel has six career starts though including last year’s ACC Championship Game.

Outgoing Starters: 6

2010 record: 10-4 (6-2 ACC)

Offensive Leader: QB E.J. Manuel – He had to fill-in for an injured Christian Ponder to start six times in his career (going 4-2) and took over in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl win over the Gamecocks. The junior QB has a 67.3 completion percentage with 2,044 total yards and 9 touchdowns through two seasons at Florida State.

Defensive Leader: LB Nigel Bradham. Bradham has led FSU in tackling for the last two seasons with 98 in 2010 and 93 in 2009. He has the second-most career tackles of any returning starter in the ACC.

Key Issues This Spring: 1) Taking the next step on D – FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops improved the Seminoles’ total defense ranking from 94th to 42nd in a season, but his pass defense was still ranked 71st.

2) Offensive line shifts and injuries – With two key lineman gone in LG Rodney Hudson and C Ryan McMahon, the Seminoles still have a ton of experience back, but are moving players around to fill the gaps. The problem Fisher faces is injuries to those experienced lineman this spring, which is keeping LT Andrew Datko (36 career starts) and RT Zebrie Sanders (37 career starts) out of the mix, while a third in C/G David Spurlock (28 starts) is just getting back after missing half of last season due to a concussion.

3) Manuel taking over – As we’ve noted, he has experience, but the QB position is all his now and he gets to prove it.

More Around ACC Spring Football

Boston College

Florida State

Maryland

NC State