How many starters does Florida State return in 2011?  This seems like an easy question for someone who covers the 'Noles on a daily basis, but for national writers it can be tough.  Today I'll help them out.  Let's determine the FSU's returning starters.

The formula is simple.  A team has 22 starters.  22- (starters lost) = returning starters.

What starters did FSU lose off the 2010 team?  QB Christian Ponder, G Rodney Hudson, C Ryan McMahon, DE Markus White, LB Kendall Smith and LB Mister Alexander.  

That is six.  22-6=16.  

As of now, FSU is returning 16 starters.  Any number greater than 16 is automatically incorrect.  

Additional considerations:

• Senior tight end Beau Reliford continues to be in academic limbo.  If he does not return, the number decreases to 15.  However, one could argue that since FSU uses many three and four-receiver sets, and all the receivers return, that he is really a half-starter.
• Guard David Spurlock should not be counted as a returning starter in addition to Bryan Stork.  First, it's unknown whether Spurlock will ever play again with all his concussion issues.  Second, he played only 419 snaps out of a possible 900+, which is less than half.  But FSU does return its right guard, be it Stork, Spurlock, etc.
• If a returning starter loses his job to a better player, he is still a "returning starter."  The term is not "returning starters who are still starting this year."  To punish a team by taking away one from the starter column, when that player is still on the team and very much available to play if need be would be quite silly.  We'll call this the Parks/Moody rule.
• Kickers/Punters are not included in the standard definition of starters.  If someone is using that, the number needs to be out of 24 and not 22.