2009 Florida State Seminoles Football Preview
2009 Florida State Seminoles season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Florida State Seminoles football preview as well as the 2009 Florida State Seminoles Football Schedule. When betting on college football against the bookmakers odds dont dismiss our NCAA football picks to help build your bankroll this year.
Coach: Bobby Bowden (34th year at Florida State)
Team Name: Seminoles
2008 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 13
In 2008, the Florida State Seminoles (9- 4 overall, 5- 3 ACC Atlantic) had their best season in five years as they tied for first in the ACC Atlantic and went on to hammer the Wisconsin Badgers 42- 13 in the Champs Sports Bowl. Three of their loses were to ACC opponents—Wake Forest, Boston College and Georgia Tech. This season, the Seminoles are favored in the highly competitive ACC Atlantic.
The offense returns seven starters, including junior quarterback Christian Ponder (318 ATT, 177 COMP, 2,006 YDs, 13 INTs, 14 TDs). In 2008, Ponder threw almost as many picks as he did touchdowns, but after spring practices he looked good and it’s hoped that the he can use last year’s experience to make better decisions. Ponder returns as the team’s second leading rusher, having notched 423 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per rush and crossing the goal line four times. Over the past 18 months, two-thirds of the receiving corps has had run-ins with the law. The top returning receiver, Taiwan Easterling (30 REC, 322 YDs, 1 TD) didn’t practice all spring due to injury, leaving the primary receiving duties to sophomore Bert Reed (23 REC, 295 YDs, 3 TDs). The running game, which was rated 33rd in the nation, returns Jermaine Thomas (69 CAR, 482 YDs, 3 TDs). There’s good news upfront as the veteran offensive line is back entirely intact.
The Seminoles scored an average of 33.4 PPG, while their 26th ranked defense kept opponents to just 20.2 PPG. They had an especially effective frontline that kept quarterback on their toes. FSU, which put a strong secondary on the field, was rated sixth versus the pass. However, they gave up 132.5 YPG on the ground, placing them 42nd in that category. They need to improve in stopping the run. There are four seniors in the front but only one returning starter. Senior SLB Dekoda Watson returns as the leading tackler with 46 takedowns, 28 of which were solo. Senior CB Patrick Robinson is the glue of the secondary and senior FS Jamie Robinson is the free wheeling enforcer. Together, they’ll anchor what should be a good squad.
On special teams, Graham Gano, field goal kicker, punter and the ACC’s leading scorer, is gone. Highly rated freshman kicker Dustin Hopkins will try to fill the point-scoring gap. Return man Michael Ray Gervin, who averaged 30.1 yards per kick, will be missed.
The word for the season for the Seminoles is “discipline,” both on and off the field. Head coach Bobby Bowden (309- 91- 4 in 33 years at FS) has survived some tough seasons. He’s got a good mix of vets and youth. The club has a tough dance card that includes non-conference games at BYU (September 19) and Florida (November 28). They should beat the Cougars. Keeping it close against the Gators will be a victory. Key, tossups are on October 10 at home versus Georgia Tech and October 22 on the road against North Carolina. Look for Florida State to take the ACC Atlantic and make it to a mid-tier bowl.
Florida State Seminoles Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/7/2009 | Florida St. | Miami (FL) | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Florida St. | Jacksonville St. | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Florida St. | BYU | away | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Florida St. | South Florida | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Florida St. | Boston Coll. | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Florida St. | Georgia Tech | home | ||||
| 10/22/2009 | Florida St. | North Carolina | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Florida St. | N.C. State | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Florida St. | Clemson | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Florida St. | Wake Forest | away | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Florida St. | Maryland | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Florida St. | Florida | away |
For more info on the 2009 Florida State Seminoles football program, view the Seminoles sports website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the ACC foes.
