Noles embracing great expectations

Florida State will find out immediately if it has the talent to get back to the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years.

The Seminoles, who have 17 returning starters, open with preseason No. 1 Alabama on Saturday night in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Two weeks later, the Noles host in-state rival and Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division favorite Miami.

“I think this schedule has got everything involved in it. And it will be extremely challenging, but that’s why you play the game,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said.

Florida State is hoping it learned from its mistakes from last season when it won its first two games and was ranked second in the nation before a 63-20 drubbing at Louisville on Sept. 17. After a last-second loss to North Carolina, Florida State was 3-2 before it won seven of its final eight.

The defense should be FSU’s strength, especially early in the season. The unit returns 10 starters, including junior safety Derwin James and cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who tied for the national lead in interceptions last season with eight.

The offense has the most questions. Former IMG Academy standout quarterback Deondre Francois threw for 3,350 yards last season, but running back Dalvin Cook and the top three receivers all departed.

Here are some other things to watch:

KEEPING FRANCOIS UPRIGHT

Quarterback Deondre Francois took some major hits last season as the offensive line gave up 36 sacks. The sacks were due to a combination of things – Francois needing to learn how to throw away the ball, receivers not running the right routes and the line. All three are going to need to be better if Francois is going to make it through the season in one piece.

The offensive line, which has struggled with consistency, will have two new starters, including Rick Leonard moving from right tackle to left tackle.

JAMES ON DISPLAY

Derwin James played in only two games last season because of a knee injury, but he is still considered one of the top defensive players in the nation. Besides playing safety, he will see time at linebacker and also as a rush end in passing situations.

Coach Jimbo Fisher also is looking to get him some snaps on offense along with returning punts. Many are comparing James to Jabrill Peppers, who played at Michigan before being selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, because of their versatility and athleticism.

KEY GAMES

In addition to top-ranked Alabama and rival Miami, Florida State hosts Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson on Oct. 21.

The Seminoles also have late-season road tests against defending national champion Clemson (Nov. 11) and Florida (Nov. 25). FSU has not lost three straight to the Tigers since 2007 but it has a four-game winning streak over the Gators for the third time in series history.

SEASON OPENER

Saturday’s game against Alabama in Atlanta marks the third time in the past four years that Florida State has opened against a Power 5 opponent at a neutral site. The Seminoles defeated Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, in 2014 and rallied to beat Mississippi in Orlando last year.

PREDICTION

The Seminoles could drop the opener and still be in the mix for the College Football Playoff, but they likely would have to win out.

At worst, they figure to be in the mix for another New Year’s Six bowl trip and a sixth straight season of 10 wins or more.

This story was originally published August 28, 2017 at 11:46 AM with the headline "Noles embracing great expectations."