The Seminoles check into the 2019 college football countdown at No. 45.

Florida State coach Willie Taggart’s first year didn’t go as expected, with the Seminoles missing a bowl bid for the first time in 37 years.

The disappointing campaign was followed by a tumultuous offseason, but players and coaches alike entered spring practice proud of the Seminoles’ positive attitude and commitment to hard work it would take to rebuild the program. The general consensus was the Seminoles have the right mindset and pieces in place to avenge last year’s disappointing run and climb back to the top of the ACC.

Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 FBS teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.

Today at No. 45: State

Florida

Coach: Willie Taggart (5-7, entering 2nd season; 52-57 overall)

2018 record: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in ACC; tied for fifth in Atlantic Division

Look back: Injuries decimated the Seminoles’ offensive line last season, making it hard for quarterbacks Deondre Francois and James Blackman to operate. FSU fell to rivals Miami and Florida and missed the postseason for the first time in 36 years. The drama continued for the Seminoles during the offseason.

Francois was kicked off the team following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, former Baylor assistant coach Kendal Briles was hired in a move that raised some eyebrows following his links to the Bears’ sexual assault scandal and Taggart saw a few top recruits spurn FSU.

Offensive starters 6

returning: Offensive starters lost: 5

Defensive starters 6 returning:

Defensive starters lost: 5

Top returnees: QB James Blackman, RB Cam Akers, WR Tamorrius Terry, WR DJ Matthews, WR Keith Gavin, TE Tre McKitty, RG Mike Arnold, RT Landon Dickerson, CB Asante Samuel Jr., LB Dontavious Jackson, DB Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, DB Levonta Taylor, DB Hamsah Nasirildeen, CB Stanford Samuels III, K Ricky Aguayo