Following last year’s romp of Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, the Seminoles beat BCS cinderella Northern Illinois to win its fourth Orange Bowl in school history. Quarterback EJ Manuel was one of 20 Florida State players to depart Tallahassee for the NFL, but the Seminoles are usually well-stocked with instant-impact players to insert into holes, and this year is no different. Redshirt freshman Jameis Winston, who also plays on the Seminoles’ baseball team, will replace Manuel at quarterback after winning the starting job last week. To whom he’ll be throwing to remains a question mark, as a slew of injuries and ineligible players have turned Florida State’s receiving corps from a team strength to a possible cause for concern.
A defense that led the nation by allowing just 2.75 yards per carry last season will have a new look—defensive coordinator Mark Stoops is now the head coach at Kentucky, and the Seminoles must replace seven starters from last season. Timmy Jernigan, a junior defensive tackle, should be the anchor up front for Florida State after notching 46 tackles a season ago.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.