FSU has plenty of questions before Alabama opener

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida State football team begins fall camp today, ahead of the 2017 season with an opening matchup against Alabama on Sept. 2 in Atlanta.

Here are five issues the Seminoles need to address during the preseason:

1. Can Deondre Francois stay upright to lead the offense?

Whether it was an offensive lineman’s fault, a receiver taking too long to get open or running a wrong route, or even Francois holding onto the football waiting for a play to develop, the blame can be spread all around for FSU’s offense last season.

Francois was knocked out of several games last season after being hit by opposing defenders, a trend the Seminoles hope to see less of this season.

It will be a collective effort that starts on the offensive line, which will feature a new starting left tackle and left guard to protect Francois’ blind side.

Sophomore Landon Dickerson, a starter who tore his ACL last season, is expected to be ready for fall camp and compete for the left guard position while redshirt freshman Josh Ball is expected to start at left tackle. Center Alec Eberle, right guard Cole Minshew and right tackles Brock Ruble and Rick Leonard should assume their roles from last season.

2. How big is this season for FSU’s defense?

If Florida State hopes to win the ACC and reach the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014, the Seminoles’ defense will need to perform like one of the nation’s best units. The challenge begins immediately against Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, who led his team to the national championship game as a true freshman last season.

Florida State’s defense matured from being one of the nation’s worst units in 2016 to one of the more efficient units.

The defense will be fueled by the return of safety Derwin James, who suffered a knee injury last season, along with leadership from FSU’s most important defenders in defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, safety Trey Marshall, defensive ends Josh Sweat and Brian Burns and linebackers Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins.

3. Who will replace former star running back Dalvin Cook?

Coach Jimbo Fisher is tasked with replacing Florida State’s all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and could employ a number of options in the running game this season.

While many surrounding the program have high hopes for true freshman Cam Akers, FSU’s highestrated offensive recruit to date, the Seminoles will look to junior Jacques Patrick to bulldoze his way through opposing defenses.

4. What loose ends do the Seminoles need to tie up?

Here are a few things FSU also needs to consider during fall camp:

The Seminoles hope a backup for Francois can emerge between redshirt junior J.J. Cosentino and true freshmen Bailey Hockman or James Blackman.

Sophomore kicker Ricky Aguayo’s improvement is also imperative. He converted 19 of 26 field goals last season — with all seven misses coming from further than 40 yards.

Sophomores Levonta Taylor, Kyle Meyers and Carlos Becker will compete for the available starting cornerback job opposite McFadden.

FSU has a number of dynamic playmakers to employ in the punt and kicking return games in Murray, James, Taylor, Akers, Gavin, Rasul and senior running back Ryan Green.

5. What will Jimbo Fisher’s demeanor be during fall camp?

Fisher has notoriously unleashed rants about his teams during parts of spring and fall practice when he is unsatisfied with his team’s demeanor and performance.

With the season opener against Alabama, Fisher’s first matchup as a head coach against friend and former boss Nick Saban, FSU cannot afford to waste practice sessions with lackadaisical play. The pressure will be on the Seminoles early to practice up to Fisher’s standards preparing for what could be a 1-2 matchup in Atlanta on Sept. 2.