The Confidential

FSU Ignites Into A New Era

Ignition Tradition. This is a phrase even the most casual of FSU fan’s have probably heard of, or at least saw on twitter a time or two. Today is the day FSU plans to “ignite” their new tradition, officially unveiling the schools new and modernized logo. As with too many things in today’s age of constant information, there was a leak and the new logo has already circulated through the masses. Below is the old logo next to the new logo FSU will be using moving forward for comparison.

Comparatively, I have to agree it is much cleaner and modernized. Supposedly Nike helped a lot on this and it was a 2 year process in the making. I don’t want to go into too much detail on it since it has been covered extensively across any blog that even remotely touches college football. In the end all… if this leads to higher revenues for the school, I’m all for it. However the school will still have a mass unveiling today, both of the new football uniforms and logo. I’ve read that this is expected to be very well received, and I was admittedly as giddy as a school girl over its release. To say the least, they didn’t disappoint. I love the new uni’s and the touch of the Seminole tribe on the shoulder pads.

http://www.seminoles.com/ignitiontradition/

Amidst all this news and change, its almost too easy to forget this is the first football week of the 2014-15 season for the Noles as their Spring Game is set for tomorrow at 3pm. And what better way to bring in a new era than with a football game? It’s an exciting weekend and one mainly done for cause of celebration than anything else. I personally don’t think you can take much from a Spring Game, I remember saying as much after last year’s game.

If you recall a relatively unknown name to non die-hards or FSU faithful, Jameis Winston, put on a show last year. He went 12-15, throwing for 200+ yards and 2 touchdowns. I remember thinking this was a bad thing for him, as it would set the bar too high for him to live up to. Thankfully I was only partially wrong. It did set the bar very high, but Jameis was up to the task, as time would tell. I don’t expect to receive the same kind of show this year, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching.

This year’s game will be missing a decent amount of players, which I’m completely okay with. All 4 scholarship running backs are out for the game, either with minor surgeries or held out as precaution. I expect Rashad Greene will wear a no contact jersey, along with the quarterbacks. Err, at least he better, I will not be happy camper if he doesn’t. At the end of the day, the only thing I really want from Spring Ball is a clean bill of health for the players come summer and heading into the fall. That’s always the most important take away from any spring, and one FSU has been fortunate with to date. I hope that continues.

However even though it is essentially just a celebratory scrimmage, I am excited to watch a few players tomorrow on ESPN3. For starters, how do our young defensive tackles look? It is imperative that someone steps up along the line this year. I don’t expect anyone to fill the loss of Timmy Jernigan to the draft, but we need it to not be a drastic drop off. Will it be Keith Bryant? Maybe one of the freshman Derrick Nandi or Demarcus Christmas? Personally I’m hoping Keith Bryant can be the man to step up behind Eddie Goldman and Niles Lawerence-Stample. This will allow the freshman to come along at a proper and not rushed pace. Regardless who ends up getting the snaps, their play will be important to the success of this defense.

Next I’d say, and arguably just as important would be the punting game. A casual fan would probably think I’m crazy for saying this, but I swear Cason Beatty could of cost us a championship last year, and I’m hoping to see a change here. Regardless of whether he’s replaced or dramatically improves, we need better punting this season. With the athletes this team has at its disposal top to bottom on the roster, we just need a guy who can consist get solid hang time. Let the athletes do the rest. Then there’s always the hope (my hope) that we just never have to punt this year (fingers crossed), problem solved!

Finally, how to the back up QB’s look? I’ve read good things on both Sean Maguire and John Franklin III, and they are the future after Jameis leaves this after this year. Yes I know there has been statements saying Jameis is interested in staying at least 2 more years, but if things stay on course, he won’t be passing up being a #1 pick in the draft. Unless the Raiders have the pick, then I might advise him to wait it out… I mean, its the Raiders. Getting back to Maguire and Franklin III, I’d really like to see one step and take over the reigns as the #2 QB.

There are plenty of other players to watch for, such as which WR steps up or who is getting run at which position in the linebacker core. It will be fun to watch and a good taste of the sport I love dearly. I caution however, don’t extrapolate too much from the game, I don’t see any Winston repeats for this Spring Game.

As always, Go Noles!