Florida State football, recruiting news: D-Line showing improvement early in the season?

- ESPN's Jared Shanker looks back at Florida State and USF, who both underwent coaching changes after the 2009 season, and how the programs have gone in completely different directions since their last meeting in Tallahassee.

In 2010, Fisher's first season, Florida State won 10 games for the first time since 2003 and returned to the ACC championship game. A fan base returned to Doak Campbell Stadium in force, and last season Florida State's average attendance rose 9 percent. Antiquated facilities received major renovations at Fisher's insistence.

Since 2011, the Bulls have won just 15 games. Fan interest evaporated and USF returned close to 9,000 of its allotted 10,500 tickets for Saturday's game after selling nearly 13,000 in 2009.

- More from ESPN as David Hale goes in-depth to analyze if FSU's pass rush was improved over 2014 in their season opening game against Texas State.

In other words, the best we can say is that opening game looked better than most of last season's contests did using the eye test, and that's probably all we really have to go on with a sample size so small. But it is also something worth monitoring as the season progresses because if Florida State's defense is going to take a big step from where it ended last season, getting to the QB is job No. 1.

- Bob Ferrante of the Osceola reveals that FSU LT Rod Johnson is ranked No. 7 on the Schneider Scale which evaluates Outland Trophy candidates. Johnson, the only underclassman in the top 13 of the scale, is the most experienced member of FSU's offensive line with six starts and will be essential to the success of the offensive line going forward.

- Corey Clark, columnist for the Tallahassee Democrat, expounds upon the example that Jalen Ramsey sets for this year's defense. After 4 defensive players  from the 2014 team all but had one foot out the door on their way to the NFL, Ramsey, who is likely on his way out after this season, remains committed to this Seminole team despite his bright future.

Jalen Ramsey just isn't a normal dude. He knows he's one of the best players in the country. He knows he's going to be a millionaire at this time next year. But he's still out there body-slamming Texas State receivers in a game his team had no chance of losing.

"When your cornerback is a tough guy, when he's a leader, when he's that kind of guy, it's hard not to (follow his lead)," said head coach Jimbo Fisher. "You see those skill guys play like that, it's hard not to when you're supposed to be the physical guys on the team."

ICYMI: Tomahawk Nation's Dylan Kidd arranged a Q & A session with Ryan T. Smith, the USF writer for SB Nation's Underdog Dynasty.

Recruiting: Chris Nee of Noles 247 reports that FSU has offered a scholarship to 2017 5* athlete Darnay Holmes. Holmes, a California native, is the #2 CB and #7 overall recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. In addition to cornerback, he is being recruited as a wide receiver.