College Football Preview: Seminoles look to defend national title in 2014

Last year the Seminoles (14-0, 8-0 ACC) took college football by surprise with an impressive run that by most accounts wasn’t supposed to happen until this season.

Considering Florida State won its first national title since 2000, what’s next for Coach Jimbo Fisher and his squad that returns 15 starters this season?

Fisher said, “If you don’t ever keep that attitude of domination, that hunger to be great, somebody is going to pass you up. It’s too competitive in our business. There are too many good players and too many good coaches out there to not stay on top. That’s always your goal. If you don’t have that, you should get out of it.”

Staying on top is obviously the goal but there are plenty of questions for the Seminoles.

Offensively, Kelvin Benjamin is now in the NFL, but WRs Rashad Greene and Levonte Whitfield should offer Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston plenty of firepower. Returning are running back Karlos Williams and tight end Nick O’Leary.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Terrance Smith, defensive end Mario Edwards, cornerback P.J. Williams and safety Jalen Ramsey help the Seminoles replace defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and All-America safety Lamarcus Joyne.

Despite the fact the team will have a target on its back, it’s easy to see the Seminoles making the first ever College Football Playoff.

ODDS to repeat as winner of NCAA National Championship: 5/1