Football

ESPN’s David Hale fielded a Florida State secondary question and shouted out one of FSU’s tough non-conference games in his latest ACC Mailbag.

The folks around Tallahassee have raved about Levonta Taylor so far, but of course, it'll take time for him to get the system down. Still, look no further than Derwin James last year or Jalen Ramsey and Nate Andrews in 2013 for examples of big seasons by true freshmen in the Seminoles secondary.

Don't be surprised if Taylor is on the field a lot in Week 1, working at either the "star" role or at corner. There's a ton of talent in that FSU secondary, and his progress will just be icing on the cake.

Week 1, Florida State vs. Ole Miss. This one gets a slight edge among the big ACC-SEC battles in Week 1 because both teams have legitimate playoff aspirations, and a win by either side would go a long way toward building a resume down the road.

Athlon Sports has Florida State at No. 2 in its preseason top 25 poll.

#2 Florida State Seminoles

After winning 10 games in a rebuilding season, FSU is poised to challenge for the title. Most of the roster returns intact, but the Seminoles have to find a QB and replace cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Dalvin Cook is one of the frontrunners to win the Heisman.

Tallahassee Democrat sports columnist Corey Clark sat down with FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher for a question and answer session over the weekend.

CC: How good can this team be? I would argue it’s about as talented as any roster in the country, right?

JF: We’re good. Now I think we’ve got to have key components step up and not be good, but take that next step to be great. I think there are some guys, from what I’m hearing in the summer, I can just hear it in their voice when they talk to me. I’ll call Dalvin and say, “Hey, how you doing buddy?” And he’ll just rave about some guy that you might not even think about. So I’m anxious to see. This team has a chance to be a very good team. Hopefully it will develop that selflessness and then those certain characteristics and habits that allow it to be great. And also a confidence in itself. But there are some guys that have to take that next step up – not to just be good. But to be one of those elite guys.

SB Nation’s Jason Kirk advises fans to not take the preseason conference favorites too seriously as they are normally incorrect.

Bill Connelly documents which college football coaches overachieve and underachieve relative to their expectations on a yearly basis.

Recruiting

Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post details the intriguing recruitment of 2019 QB Max Johnson, who has family ties and offers to both Florida State and Miami.

Alumni

Former Florida State defensive back Corey Fuller, now the coach at nearby East Gadsden High School, delivered an impassioned speech to his team after taking them to a 7 on 7 tournament over the weekend.