CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Florida State preview

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Florida State Seminoles

No Pete, Sebastian? Bobby hardly worried

College Football: The New Century

'99: 12-0, 8-0 ACC

Coach

Bobby Bowden (25th season, 231-53-4; 304-85-4 overall)

Key offensive players

Chris Weinke, QB, Sr.
Who among us wouldn't want to celebrate their 30th (OK, 28th) birthday surrounded by college co-eds?

Brett Williams, OT, So.
The Seminoles could have one of the best offensive lines ever assembled and Williams, a freshman All-America last year, is the anchor. Why wouldn't Weinke stay?

Travis Minor, TB, Sr.
Hampered much of last season with an ankle injury, Minor would like to end his college career by posting some bigger numbers than he has in his first three years.

Key defensive players

Jamal Reynolds, DE, Sr.
With Roland Seymour questionable because of knee surgery, Reynolds will have to step up his play this year.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Charlie Ward, QB, 1990-93
"Deion Sanders more skilled? Agreed, but Ward led the Seminoles to their first No. 1, and won the '93 Heisman to boot."

Brightest Moment: After enduring taunts of "wide right" for too many years, the Seminoles gave Bobby Bowden his first national championship on Jan. 1, 1994, when Scott Bentley booted a late field goal -- straight down the middle -- to win the Orange Bowl.

Lowest Moment: In 1974-75, coach Darrell Mudra led the Seminoles to a pathetic 2-18 record. His demise led to the hiring of West Virginia coach Bowden.

Tommy Polley, LB, Sr.
After undergoing reconstructive surgery in the offseason, Polley is a big question mark going into the season at linebacker, where the Seminoles are uncharacteristically lacking in depth.

Derrick Gibson, SS, Sr.
A potential All-America who until recently was known primarily for his ferocious hits and team-leading four interceptions last year.

Key newcomer

Javon Walker, WR, Jr.
The Seminoles have to replace three receivers, including All-America Peter Warrick. Fortunately, this juco transfer has the skills to produce on a Warrick-like level.

Throwback player

Heck, Chris Weinke is two football generations older than the rest of his teammates. The fact that he remembers when Reagan was in office makes him an old-timer.

21st century player

Anquan Boldin is from the same cutting-edge mold as Peter Warrick. Does that make Boldin a "throwback" if he imitates someone else who was ahead of his time?

Fast fact

The Seminoles are 21-1 under Weinke's guidance.

Outlook

So how will the Seminoles fare without star offensive forces Warrick and Sebastian Janikowski? Much better than Tallahassee-area bail bondsmen now that the two have taken their acts elsewhere. The Seminoles should be just fine, thanks to the return of Weinke and a host of other talented players. Sure, there are questions on both sides of the ball. But Bowden promises that his unknown group of receivers will be just as productive as last year's. The coach is not worried about the lack of depth at linebacker or experience up front on defense, which will be without NFL first-round pick Corey Simon. Replacing Janikowski, the best kicker in school history, won't be easy, but Bowden and his staff will probably sleep better at night this season.

-- Tim Peeler