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No program in the 51-year history of the Atlantic Coast Conference has dominated like Florida State, which has captured 11 titles in 12 seasons since coming on board for the 1992 campaign. Indirectly, the Seminoles' all-time 90-6 league mark played a role in the ACC's expansion plan.
The addition of Miami and Virginia Tech this season, and Boston College in 2005, will effectively put to rest the notion that ACC football was nothing more than, "Florida State and the Eight Dwarfs," while potentially fortifying the league's bankroll with a second viable Bowl Championship Series participant.
Expansion may well prove to be the added incentive Bobby Bowden's Seminoles need to continue their reign. Having suffered four of its six league losses -- and its only title-free season (2001) -- over the past three years, FSU no longer takes ACC championships for granted. The addition of archrival Miami, which many predict will supplant FSU as the ACC's top dog, should strengthen the Seminoles' resolve.
It won't hurt that FSU returns its entire starting offensive line, headed by consensus All-American Alex Barron and fellow tackle Ray Willis, as well as center David Castillo. They will be opening holes for shifty tailbacks Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, who will share the load of replacing starter Greg Jones.
Wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe's recovery from a broken leg, suffered in the 11th game last season, will be pivotal. Thorpe, the ACC's sprint champion in 2003, collected 51 receptions for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Seminoles' primary deep threat.
From a group of 23 returning letterwinners, Andrews doesn't expect to have trouble shoring up his unit. Junior A.J. Nicholson and sophomore Ernie Sims were the most dominant defenders throughout the spring, and may actually provide an upgrade at linebacker, where FSU lost all three starters.
Second-team All-ACC defensive end Eric Moore will build on last season's 7.5 sacks alongside a pair of new interior line starters, Travis Johnson and Brodrick Bunkley.
FSU's last line of defense includes rover Jerome Carter, returning with 183 career tackles, and free safety B.J. Ward, who had career-bests with 80 stops and six pass breakups last season. Seasoned cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Leroy Smith will have to fight off Antonio Cromartie, who has the size and speed to be the program's next great corner.
Junior Chris Hall inherits the punting duties with limited game experience, but the return corps should be sound.
The Noles will tackle potential ACC contenders Clemson and Virginia at home, but late-season visits to Maryland and N.C. State should test FSU's character against a beefed-up conference.
The pieces are in place for the Seminoles' strongest national title run since 2000. The burden will likely fall on Rix. If he can improve his decision-making and avoid the mistakes that have led to at least three losses in each of the last three seasons, FSU should be able to retain its ACC crown and be in the hunt for a Sugar Bowl invitation.
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