On the fast track to No. 1

Sporting News, The, August 17, 1998 by Alan Schmadtke

"When you're talking about the front-line players, the first 22 on the field, they don't have much of an advantage," West says. "But when they put that second 22 and that third team out there, they have a big advantage. That's where the rest of the teams in this league have to close the gap."

Defense shaped much of FSU's title chances over the past decade, and it will again.

"I know we're replacing great players, but I really don't see us having that much drop-off at end," says sophomore Roland Seymour, who will pair with senior Tony Bryant to take over for Wadsworth and Spires. "Tony is very powerful, and we push each other. Besides, those two guys behind us (sophomores Jamal Reynolds and David Warren, both extremely fast) are pushing both of us pretty hard. We'll have to play great just to keep our jobs."

Two other replacements may hold the key to FSU's defensive success, especially early. Injury-plagued Demetro Stephens or linebacker Brian Allen must find ways to make up for Bush's intangibles at middle linebacker. Allen, a former outside linebacker, has tremendous speed but hasn't started a game. Senior Lamont Green, who began to reach some of his potential last season, will switch sides to make up for the loss of Cowart. Taking over Green's slot on the other side is Tommy Polley. Like Allen, Polley is extremely athletic--he was a prep All-American in basketball and football--but he hasn't started a game, either.

How quickly the Stephens/Allen and Polley combination adapt will dictate how much offensive coordinator Mark Richt tosses on Weinke's plate. If the defense struggles a bit early, expect the 'Noles to have to throw the ball more often than they want. But if the new linebackers adapt quickly, you can expect FSU to run its "regular" offense, which means a steady dose of Minor; that, in turn, leads to some big plays from the receivers when defenses are focused on Minor.

The Seminoles' schedule won't hurt their cause, although it's heavier with talent than usual. On paper, their most difficult ACC tests--North Carolina in October, Virginia in November--will come in Tallahassee. Playing at Georgia Tech on October 24 represents one potential ACC stumbling block. One thing to remember, though: FSU is 47-1 in league play since joining the ACC in 1992.

"They're not going to get worse," North Carolina coach Carl Torbush says. "If we're going to catch them, we've got to get to their level. I think until someone beats them two years in a row, in our league it's still them. But if we start talking about a `gap,' you would have to talk about the rest of the nation, too."

FSU also has non-conference games against Texas A&M, USC and Florida. But the USC and Florida games are in Tallahassee (the Gators haven't beaten the `Noles there since 1986), and although A&M is dangerous, FSU has a tremendous speed advantage over the Aggies. It's hard to imagine the A&M secondary being able to hang with Warrick, Coles and their playmates.

"The goal is the same every year here, no matter who's here," Green says. "We want to win it all. We have the players to win it all."