The Seminoles return 17 starters and an amazing 68 lettermen, which means Fisher and company must once again try to live up to huge expectations. This team is determined to erase the sour taste of the disappointing season they had the last year. They are the most experienced team in the ACC and certainly have the potential to play for a national title at season’s end.

Offense

Florida State is excited about what they will send to the field on the offensive side of the ball. They have eight starters returning to a unit that averaged 30.6 ppg and 396 yards of total offense.

The key to the entire offense is senior quarterback E.J Manuel, who threw for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first season as the full time starter. He enters the season with 121 consecutive passes without an interception.

Leading rusher Devonta Freeman is returning and they welcome back James Wilder and Chris Thompson as well. They have some depth at this position as they also bring in talented freshman Mario Pender for the spring.

Their receiving corps is littered with experience as their top four pass catchers all return. These are sophomore Rashad Greene, senior Rodney Smith, sophomore Christian Green and junior Kenny Shaw. Sophomore TE Nick O’Leary is also expected to play a more prominent role in the offense this season.

Three starters and 50 career starts return up front, led by senior LG Jacob Fahrenkrug, junior C Bryan Stork and sophomore RT Bobby Hart. Talented JUCO transfer Daniel Glauser will take over at one of the tackle positions as well.

Defense

While Florida State held their own offensively last year, their success came from one of the top defensive units in the nation. They have nine starters coming back to a defense that allowed just 15.1 ppg and 275 yards of total offense.

The Seminoles’ defensive line looks to be even better than they were last year as they return all four starters and add in three of the most talented D-line recruits in the country. All three DE’s coming back combined for 20.5 sacks last year. Bar-none, this team will easily be one the best D-lines in the nation.

The linebacker corps lose NFL draftee Nigel Bradham, however, this unit returns four of its top six, and it should be the most experienced group of linebackers FSU has had in a long time. Leading the way are junior WLB Christian Jones and senior MLB Vince Williams.

Three starters return in the secondary, and sophomores FS Karlos Williams and CB Nick Waisome should have bigger roles in 2012 after gaining valuable experience as freshmen last year. The returning starters are senior CB Greg Reid, junior CB Xavier Rhodes and junior SS Lamarcus Joyner.

Head over to Football Free Picks this season. You will be able to follow the odds on your favorite team, plus get expert advice on who to take agains the spread.

ACC Atlantic Division Prediction – 1st Place

The Seminoles are definitely in a league of their own in the ACC in 2012. Fisher has been able to recruit as well as any other coach in the country, and FSU is set to contend for the national title for years to come. The ACC Title is theirs for the taking as their talent and experience will outshine all the other contenders in the conference. A 12-0 record is definitely within reach as they get Clemson at home and their only true road test will come at Virginia Tech after a bye in November.

Jack Jones will provide his expert college football picks at Betfirms this season. Be sure to visit our site today for a more detailed Florida State football preview.

Florida State Football: Seminoles Expected To Win ACC And Contend For National Championship is a post from: WiredWriter