Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

Drew Weatherford, or Xavier Lee? Xavier Lee or Drew Weatherford? What about Christian Ponder, who threw some pretty balls during the Spring Game? Here’s a little secret folks… there is no Quarterback Controversy at FSU.

Why?

It doesn’t matter who ends up at QB this season.

That’s right, it doesn’t matter. The 2007 campaign is being built up as the return of FSU dominance. The Noles are picked to win ACC. Various fans love to think that FSU can win 10 games in 2007. Many fans think that new coaches were the only thing missing from contending for a MNC again. But they’re wrong. It’s not going to happen this year, both quarterbacks are destined for mediocrity. They can’t do it alone, and the talent at FSU isn’t back to where it was 6 years ago.

A couple of months ago, Chuck Amato made it a point to say that the ACC had caught up with the Noles over the years. They’ve recruited guys that used to be 2nd and 3rd string on the Seminoles to be their starters. Freshman that used to sit the bench for a couple of years in Tallahassee, now have the opportunity to start at a Wake Forest, Virginia or Clemson. In this day and age of me, myself and I, why wouldn’t a talent kid go somewhere that he knew he was going to get playing time right away? That has diluted the talent pool at FSU, which means those 2nd and 3rd stringers that could play or beat anybody else’s first team, aren’t there. Which means more boneheaded plays, more turnovers, less getting open, etc. etc. etc.

But back to my original point, whether the FSU offense ends up being led by Drew Weatherford, the entrenched, smart, but mediocre armed quarterback, or by Xavier Lee, the quick, strong armed, but not-willing-to-put-in-the-extra-effort quarterback, the Seminoles of Florida State won’t be winning more than 9 games this season. The schedule is far too tough, the Noles are still too young. Their most talented receiver, Greg Carr, takes plays off and FSU will have to rely on their biggest talent, Antone Smith, far too often behind an revamped, supposedly meaner and tougher FSU Offensive Line.

We’ve seen how that’s gone in previous season. Rick Trickett might be a miracle worker though, who knows.

And while I’m not making any solid predictions yet (that’s in August), I’ll make my final points:

@Clemson
@Colorado
@Boston College
@Virginia Tech
@Florida

(Oh yeah, and there’s that neutral site game against Alabama.)

Good luck Drew. Good luck Xavier. I’ll be behind both of you. And, say your prayers that Antone doesn’t get hurt!