2008 OUTLOOK: The schedule is manageable. That's the good news. For the first time in seven years, the Seminoles are not opening a season against a conference rival like Miami or Clemson, or a specially arranged game in a preseason classic. In contrast, they get Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga in successive home Saturdays in early September. That should buffer the void of so many front-line players serving suspensions. The first three games will be in Doak Campbell Stadium. The fourth game will be against Colorado in Jacksonville, less than three hours away. The Seminoles only have to leave the state of Florida three times. If the offense can mesh better and the Seminoles can shore up problems on defense, then the schedule provides room for a few more wins than 2007.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The Seminoles essentially return their entire starting backfield and their top two receivers. In most cases, it would be cause for celebration. But even with his 33 starts in four years, senior QB Drew Weatherford is not cemented as the opening-game starter. The progress of backup quarterbacks Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson in the spring gives hope for August competition and quality depth at the most critical position. The other major issue is with FSU's offensive line. Only eight scholarship players went through spring, meaning that incoming freshmen will be counted upon for backup help. The Seminoles hope this is finally the season where senior TB Antone Smith, once the most coveted prospect in the nation, can deliver. Last season, even with newly minted offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher calling the plays, the team's overall production wasn't much better than under the previous regime. FSU ranked in the middle or lower half of the ACC in every offensive category.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The strength is the linebackers and secondary. But the Seminoles will be minus several defensive starters for the first three games of 2008 as the penance for the academic fraud scandal that rocked the entire athletic program. It will require a lot of depth-chart adjustments, especially on the defensive line and linebacker. One leader is LB Derek Nicholson, young brother of former FSU player A.J. Nicholson. Junior LB Dekoda Watson was saluted as the best defensive player of the spring. The Seminoles also like the progression of rush end Everette Brown. The strength of the group is in the secondary, led by CB Tony Carter and S Myron Rolle.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Rarely has FSU bemoaned the graduation loss of a kicker. But the Seminoles will miss Gary Cismesia, whose best season was last year. He led the ACC in field goals and kicked a school-record 60-yarder against Florida. The Seminoles will start the year hoping Graham Gano can handle all kicking duties, both punting and placekicks.

Gano, a senior, was third in the ACC in punting average and handled kickoffs last season. During the spring, however, he struggled to consistently make a 35-yard field goal. Preston Parker and Bert Reed may figure prominently into the kick returning duties. The Seminoles have also been a dangerous team in blocking punts. They continue to develop players who excel in that role.

ROSTER REPORT

--DT Emmanuel Dunbar, a projected starter, sustained a leg injury during spring practice and will need the summer to recover. The same is true with DT Kendrick Stewart, who missed all of spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery.

--QB Drew Weatherford had surgery in early April to repair a slightly torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. The Seminoles are expecting a full recovery by July, when voluntary workouts kick into a high gear. Weatherford is expected to be at full strength.

--CB Dionte Allen did not participate in the spring game because he tore a ligament in his left ankle. He will undergo surgery to repair the tear.

--WR Preston Parker resolved one portion of his legal troubles, but still needs to work out a plea agreement in Palm Beach County for a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon in his car without a license to do so. It's expected Parker may miss the first game or two as a school-imposed suspension for the off-field transgressions.

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