From CNN.com and Athlon Sports:

The handoff might have been a little sloppy, but Jimbo Fisher insists he was running full speed when he took the baton last January from legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. In the end, Fisher says, that’s all that matters. Yes, the Seminoles’ highly publicized “head coach-in-waiting” plan was awkward at times. Yes, the administration had to ultimately push Bowden aside a year earlier than he would have preferred. But once those unpleasantries were out of the way, Fisher was indeed able to hit the ground running this past spring.

And he believes that will be the key to a rapid turnaround in 2010. While a normal first-year head coach still would be figuring out his players, getting to know who he could count on in different situations, Fisher says he already is in second gear.

“I feel like I know the players and they know what I’m going to demand,” Fisher says. “I already know what the problems are. That’s the advantage to that whole coach-in-waiting deal.”

Facing a schedule that includes early road trips to Norman, Okla., and Miami, along with a challenging home slate (BYU, Clemson, North Carolina and Florida among others), Fisher might need that head start.

The Seminoles are coming off their third 7–6 campaign in the past four years, and the talent level isn’t anywhere close to what it was in Bowden’s heyday. But they have virtually everyone back on offense, including Heisman Trophy candidate Christian Ponder, and they should be very good on special teams.

If a revamped defensive coaching staff, led by new coordinator Mark Stoops, can salvage a Seminole defense that was among the worst in the country last season, Fisher’s first squad might again be back in the championship hunt — at least in the ACC.

One thing is certain: With back-to-back games against Oklahoma and BYU in the first three weeks, the Seminoles will know quickly where they stand.

“Those first three games, we’ll find out what we’re made of,” Fisher says.

QUARTERBACKS
It was an unfortunate decision after an ill-advised pass, but it might have been the best thing that could have happened to the 2010 Seminoles. When Ponder lowered his shoulder to deliver a hit on Clemson defensive back DeAndre McDaniel following a fourth quarter interception last November, the then-junior quarterback still was weighing his NFL options. At the time of his injury, Ponder had established himself as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks — he was averaging more than 300 passing yards per game and completing 68.8 percent of his passes. But the painful injury and subsequent shoulder surgery convinced him to return for his senior season, and there are indications it could be a year to remember. Fisher, who has sent a number of quarterbacks to the NFL, says Ponder has a chance to be the best he has ever coached. And he is equally high on backup EJ Manuel, who filled in admirably after Ponder went down. Manuel completed 65.1 percent of his passes and led FSU to victories in three of his four starts — the only loss came at then-No. 1 Florida. Manuel also underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but he should be full speed by preseason camp.

RUNNING BACKS
The records section of FSU’s media guide doesn’t feature a listing for “most trips to Fisher’s doghouse,” but if it did, the Seminoles’ running backs likely would claim all the top spots. Whether it was for not blocking properly or hitting the wrong holes or making the wrong reads, Fisher seemed to be perpetually frustrated with FSU’s tailbacks during the past three seasons. Not surprisingly, one of Fisher’s first acts as head coach was to shake up the staff and bring in longtime SEC assistant coach Eddie Gran, who has mentored the likes of Deuce McAllister, Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams and Rudi Johnson. Leading rusher Jermaine Thomas (832 yards, 5.1 ypc) is back, but Fisher loves sophomores Chris Thompson (5.2 ypc) and Lonnie Pryor (5.8 ypc). The Seminoles, who already were deep at the position, added junior college transfer Debrale Smiley (6'0", 235 pounds) in January.

RECEIVERS
Juniors Bert Reed and Jarmon Fortson return after combining to snare more than 100 receptions last season, and they will have plenty of help. Sophomores Rodney Smith and Willie Haulstead were dominant at times in spring practice; junior Taiwan Easterling should be back after missing the spring to play baseball; and junior tight end Beau Reliford (6'7", 241) is a former basketball player with tremendous athletic ability. The Seminoles also stockpiled some impressive receiver prospects on Signing Day, and two or three of them could contribute as well.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Few teams will have this type of front line experience; the Seminoles expect to have two fourth-year starters (All-America guard Rodney Hudson and center Ryan McMahon) flanked by a trio of third-year starters (guard David Spurlock and tackles Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders). The group was solid in 2009, but it got pushed around in a handful of games, most notably a home loss to South Florida. This position was one of new strength coach Vic Viloria’s biggest targets, and Fisher believes they will be much tougher for opponents to handle.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
This unit was a glaring weakness in 2009, and it could be trouble again this fall. There is speed on the edge in sophomores Brandon Jenkins and Toshmon Stevens, and senior Markus White should be solid as well. But defensive tackle is a position where it’s difficult to find a quick fix, and the Seminoles are searching for answers. Sophomore Jacobbi McDaniel has good quickness, but his technique and strength will have to improve. Junior Moses McCray is a chiseled 300-pounder, but he was extremely unproductive (12 games, 12 tackles) despite starting nine contests. Sophomores Everett Dawkins and Anthony McCloud (a junior college transfer) will have to provide a boost.

LINEBACKERS
The prevailing wisdom in 2009 was that FSU’s linebackers had talent but that they weren’t properly utilized. It shouldn’t take long to find out whether that theory was fact or fiction. As they settle in to Stoops’ zone schemes, junior Nigel Bradham and company believe they are poised for a breakout season. “The scheme is totally different, but it’s exciting. It’s set up where you can make a lot more big hits and stuff like that,” says Bradham, who led the team with 93 tackles last season. Junior Nigel Carr and senior Kendall Smith will round out the starting unit, but senior Mister Alexander, sophomore Vince Williams and true freshman Jeff Luc will be pushing them step for step.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Though FSU’s players loved longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, this segment was in desperate need of Stoops’ arrival. The Seminoles clearly didn’t have the ability to play Andrews’ traditional man defense in 2009; they allowed more yards per pass attempt (8.72) and completion (14.59) than all but a few teams in the country. Stoops will have them dropping back into zones and more often facing the quarterback, which will give ball-hawking cornerback Greg Reid a chance to make big plays. “His instincts are incredible,” Ponder says. FSU also landed a bumper crop of defensive backs on Signing Day, and one or two should be able to help here.

SPECIALISTS
Junior Shawn Powell ranked fourth in the ACC with an average of 41.6 yards per punt, and he appears to have improved his consistency under Gran, who also is the new special teams coach. Sophomore Dustin Hopkins connected on 19-of-27 field goals, including one from 52 yards. “They can be special weapons,” Fisher says of Powell and Hopkins. Reid is expected to be among the nation’s top return men; he recorded a 68-yard punt return (for a score) and a 69-yard kickoff return as a freshman.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Christian Ponder, QB: He's easily the Seminoles' best quarterback since 2000 Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.
Rodney Hudson, G: He dominated opponents despite playing with an injured foot last season.
Greg Reid, CB: The explosive athlete could be team's most talented player.

IMPORTANT LOSSES
Patrick Robinson, CB: He might have been the lone bright spot on a weak defense.
Rod Owens, WR: The leading receiver was not explosive, but was very consistent.
Caz Piurowski, TE: He was an exceptional blocker and a threat in the passing game.

NUMBERS GAME
4: As a group, Florida State's defensive ends recorded four sacks last season. For perspective, there were 19 players in the ACC who finished with at least four sacks by themselves.

FINAL ANALYSIS (CNN and Athlon Sports)
It's never easy to replace a legend such as Bobby Bowden, but Fisher believes his two-year apprenticeship as FSU's head coach-in-waiting gave him a running start. "I feel like I know the players and they know what I'm going to demand," Fisher said. "I already know what the problems are. That's the advantage to that whole coach-in-waiting deal."

Facing a schedule that includes early road trips to Oklahoma and Miami and a challenging home slate (BYU, Clemson, North Carolina and Florida, among others), Fisher might need that head start.

The Seminoles are coming off their third 7-6 campaign in the past four years, and the talent level isn't anywhere near what it was in Bowden's heyday. But if Stoops can turn the defense around in short order, Fisher's first squad might again be back in the championship hunt -- at least in the ACC.

FINAL ANALYSIS (Free Sports Press)
Like everyone else in the Seminole Nation, I'm eager to start the 2010 campaign.  We have a lot to look forward to this season with the promise of a new Defensive Coordinator, new Head Coach, a veteran quarterback that an entire offense can be built around, a veteran offensive line that should allow for a much improved running game to compliment our aerial attack, and true schedule that will give us a great litmus test against the rest of the country.

Starting off the season against Samford should get our feet wet before we take on a bigger challenge of playing at Oklahoma.

While the Seminoles probably won't find themselves in the hunt for the National Championship this year (though stranger things have happened) there is no reason not to believe they can't compete for the ACC Title and the team's first BCS birth since 2005.  I predict the Noles will have a stellar year going 11-1 in the regular season (the lone loss coming in a close game to Oklahoma) and go on to win the ACC Championship against Miami and play in the Orange Bowl.  Mark it down, folks!