Running game must improve a lot for the 'Noles to roll

                    

	Greg Carr, Drew Weatherford Al Tielemans/SI Florida State 2005 Record 8-5 (5-3 ACC) Final AP Rank 23 Returning Starters 10 (5 offense, 5 defense) Last National Title 1999 The Contenders Auburn Michigan Cal Nebraska Clemson Notre Dame Florida State Ohio State Georgia Tech South Carolina Iowa USC Louisville Utah Miami West Virginia

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Florida State can win it all: For the first time since Chris Weinke left town in 2000, FSU has a reliable leader under center in sophomore Drew Weatherford. His talented receiving corps, so raw a year ago, should be outstanding. Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith make for a formidable backfield duo. And coordinator Mickey Andrews figures to field another highly athletic defense.

What must fall into place: Several of Florida State's six incoming offensive-line recruits will have to contribute immediately if the 'Noles hope to avoid a repeat of last year, when the injury-plagued line struggled badly. The D-line, so dominant last year, needs to reload after losing stars Brodrick Bunkley and Kamerion Wimbley. Freshman starting safety Myron Rolle has to live up to the hype.

How it could go wrong: If the running game doesn't improve considerably from last season, when it ranked 109th nationally, defenses will once again be able to take down Weatherford, who was sacked 32 times last year. The onus is on the O-line. It's also possible that Andrews' defense won't reload as seamlessly as usual. And with FSU, you always have to worry about field goals.

Good omen: Over the course of spring practice, Weatherford threw only one interception in scrimmage situations -- he had an ACC-high 18 as a freshman.

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