5 reasons Florida State makes the 2019 College Football Playoff

TALLAHASSEE, FL - MARCH 21: Quarterback Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles throws a pass during the first day of spring practice at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility on March 21, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 7: Florida State Seminoles line up against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

2. Experience along offensive line key to resurgence

One thing that should help while the offense transitions to Taggart’s system is experience along the offensive line. The Seminoles return four linemen with at least 11 career starts under their large belts.

Standout center Alec Eberle will lead the unit. The senior has 32 career starts. He was named second-team All-ACC last season. Heading into 2018, Eberle has been named to the watch list for the Outland (best interior offensive or defensive lineman) and Rimington (best center) awards.

Senior Derrick Kelly II (19 career starts), junior Cole Minshew (16), and sophomore Landon Dickerson (11) also provide quality experience. Sophomore Jauan Williams — who Noles 247 expects to start at left tackle –is the only new projected starter.

“It’s a unit FSU fans should feel good about,” Noles247 wrote. “There are some questions — Williams’ health and the fact he’s a first-time starter, Dickerson’s new role at tackle — but it’s a solid group.”

The site expects Kelly to start at left guard, Minshew at right guard, and Dickerson at right tackle. They also mentioned sophomore Baveon Johnson as a quality depth piece who can play center or either guard position.

The unit should stabilize the offense, opening up holes for the running backs and protecting whoever starts at quarterback, while they go through the process of learning a new system.

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