2005 Florida State Season Preview
Florida State is coming off a disappointing 2004 campaign, in which they failed to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship for just the second time since joining the league in 1992. The team was marred with a below average offensive peformance, which saw FSU finish 117th in the nation in Third Down Conversion Percentage. For those scoring at home, that is good for dead last of all college teams. Yeah, they were behind the likes of Temple, Buffalo, and Baylor in this category. All this, while returning 9 starters from the 2003 team, which had one of the better offenses in America.
If FSU is to regain their former glory, Mr. Sexton will need to step up and lead the way. He will have help from a sensational duo of Running Backs in Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, along with Antone Smith, Florida's Mr. Football in 2004. The Receiving Corps will be talented, but inexperienced. Sexton will have playmakers such as Wille Reid, Chris Davis, Kenny O'Neal, Lorne Sam, and Decody Fagg to spread the ball to. He will also have the Rivals.com #2 rated Wide Receiver, 5* recruit Fred Rouse to add to his arsenal. With talent like that, there is no reason why FSU can't expect to average at least a mind blowing 20 points a game. Even with their mildly retarded Offensive Coordinator, Jeff Bowden. Jeffy and Wyatt share a very sacred and spiritual bond at FSU, you see, the only reason they are both there is because of their fathers on the coaching staff. Of course, I am speaking of legandary Head Coach Bobby Bowden, and his long time assistant Billy Sexton.
On Defense, FSU is loaded. They will quite possibly have the best defense in America in 2005. They are lead by Linebackers Ernie Sims III and A.J. Nicholson. Along with these 2 All Americans, will be First Team All-ACC Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, Free Safety Pat Watkins, and Defensive Tackle Broderick Bunkley. This unit will lose a couple of starters, but with their mind boggling depth from 2004, those players will not be to sorely missed.
On Special Teams, metrosexual, choke artist Kicker Xavier Beitia has finally graduated, and will be replaced by one of 2 sophomores in Gary Cismesia or Chase Goggans. FSU did also sign the Nation's #2 rated kicker Graham Gano, but he is expected to be a punter at FSU. I mean, why not see if he can make a clutch kick, at least punting the ball he doesn't need to worry about putting it through the uprights vs. Miami.
Here is a list of FSU's opponents in 2005.
| Date | Opponent |
Analysis |
| 9/5/05 |  |
FSU has not defeated Miami since Chris Rix stepped onto campus. Wyatt will need to have a big game if they are to end the streak. |
| 9/10/05 |  |
This is a fierce Division 1-AA opponent, the first D1-AA opponent FSU has played in over a decade. With Wyatt at the helm FSU faithful are confident he can lead FSU to at least a 30 point outing. |
| 9/17/05 |  |
FSU will make the trip up north to welcome new ACC member Boston College. This game could prove difficult for Wyatt because the 2 teams have similar colors. We are all hoping he remembers who is who. |
| 10/1/05 |  |
Last season Sexton looked like shit in the Carrier Dome. This year the Orange will have even less talent and the game is at home. |
| 10/8/05 |  |
Last season Sexton struggled, before leading FSU on to a come from behind win vs. 4-7 Wake Forest. This will be a difficult test for sure. |
| 10/15/05 |  |
Last season Wyatt lit up the Cavaliers, which given his other performances certainly had to be embarassing for the Cavs. Can he do it again? |
| 10/22/05 |  |
Last season Wyatt came off the bench to mop up Chris Rix's mess vs. the pesky Blue Devils. Duke is perenially one of the worst teams in America, can Sexton have another solid performance versus the Dookies? |
| 10/29/05 |  |
In 2004 Sexton was the starter in FSU's first ever loss to Maryland. A team Chris Rix was 3-0 against, and whom FSU had beaten by an average of 30 points historically. The Terps finished 5-6 in 2004. |
| 11/5/05 |  |
This is perhaps FSU's stiffest test in the ACC Atlantic Division. State should have a stout defense. Wyatt was able to somehow get the job done in 2004, well okay, the running backs did, but he handed them the ball and that takes some serious talent. |
| 11/12/05 |  |
This was Sexton's breakout game, as he came off the bench for an injured Chris Rix, and like Brady for Bledsoe he was able to lead FSU to victory. Well, okay, it was only a game because of a lack of special teams and Clemson's defense sucked, but a win is a win. |
| 11/26/05 |  |
In 2004 Sexton was the started for FSU's first loss to Florida at home since 1986. The Gators should be strong in 2005, can Sexton pay them back, or will he continue to be their bitch with his stunning display of unathleticism? Find out in November. |