As the 2014 season nears, Florida State looks to become just the fourth team to win consecutive national championships in the last 30 years. FSU enters the season ranked #1 in the coaches poll and on a 16-game winning streak — the longest in the nation. With a match-up with Oklahoma State in Dallas just over three weeks away, here are the story lines that will surround the Florida State offense in 2014:
Winston’s Repeat Run at the Heisman
After firing 40 touchdown passes and leading his team to a perfect 14-0 record in 2013, Florida State freshman quarterback Jameis Winston joined former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel as the only freshmen to win the Heisman Trophy. With a particularly deep field of Heisman contenders at the quarterback position, Winston will be one of the front-runners to win the award again. While Manziel, Sam Bradford, Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow and Matt Leinart have all recently returned after winning the Heisman, former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin remains the only player ever to win the award twice.
Can Williams Carry the Load?
Last season, Devonta Freeman became the first Florida State player in 17 years to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season while James Wilder Jr. added 563 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. With both Freeman and Wilder gone, the bulk of the carries will go to senior Karlos Williams, who actually began the 2013 regular season at safety. In 13 games at tailback, Williams averaged eight yards-per-carry and scored 11 touchdowns in 2013. As one of the more experienced backs on the roster, Williams will be expected to carry the load this season for the Seminoles. Williams however, has just 91 career carries and never more than 13 in any given contest. With four returning starters on the offensive line, big things are expected of Williams, but whether or not he can be a true workhorse remains to be seen.
Greene’s Pursuit of Sellers
After becoming the first Florida State player since Anquan Boldin in 2002 to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark, senior Rashad Greene enters the 2014 season as one of the more accomplished FSU wide receivers ever. Despite a slender 180-pound frame, Greene has been a complete receiver and a clutch performer. As the 2014 season gets set to begin, Greene sits just 1,134 yards shy of tying Ron Sellers’ school-record for career receiving yards. Greene is one of the few veterans on the receiving corps and should see a number of passes, but needs a career-year to surpass Sellers. Greene is also seeking to become the first Seminole receiver to lead the team in receiving in four straight seasons.
Freshman Impact at the Skill Positions
Florida State looks to have a loaded offensive arsenal in 2014 with Jameis Winston, Karlos Williams, Rashad Greene and tight end Nick O’Leary, but behind them, there isn’t much experience. While Florida State always seem to bring in great recruiting classes, the Seminoles may need their top incoming freshmen to contribute immediately at the skill positions. Fortunately for Florida State, its three biggest signings in February were at running back and wide receiver. Running back Dalvin Cook along with receivers Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph appear to be the true freshmen most ready to make an impact in 2014 and for the Seminoles to make a repeat run at the national championship, they may have to.
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