Seminoles prepare to say so long to 25 seniors

MIAMI (AP) -- For a team that rarely loses anything, Florida State is in for a shock.

Because after Wednesday night's Orange Bowl, the Seminoles will be looking at a radically different roster.

"You lose 25 seniors, that's kind of tough," linebacker Tommy Polley said. "They'll be good, but that's hard to replace."

Polley is among seven defensive starters, including All-American end Jamal Reynolds, who will finish their careers against No. 1 Oklahoma.

"Seems like only yesterday when we all first got here,"

running back Travis Minor said. "Man, it doesn't seem like it's ready to end."

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Chris Weinke will play his last game, as will five other offensive starters. All-American wide receiver Snoop Minnis is already gone, academically ineligible to play.

The No. 3 Seminoles will win at least a part of the national title with a victory over Oklahoma. This marks the third straight year they've played for a crown.

So, with a record of 57-5 in a five-season span that includes redshirt years -- and the distinction of never having lost at home at Doak Campbell Stadium -- was this the greatest senior class ever at Florida State? "After this ball game, I'll declare," coach Bobby Bowden said, laughing. "I'll declare best or second best."

And what about the future? "We've been through it before. I remember one year, I think we lost 14 starters. Will we be able to carry on? I don't know. But I know this: our skill level will be about the same," he said.

"Just like I tell my alumni, I would rather have inexperienced skill than experienced no skill," he said. "In other words, guys that can't play."

Center Jarad Moon, who already has graduated with a degree in communications, clearly states what's at stake in the Orange Bowl.

"Many say that if we are able to pull off this back-to-back national championship, the senior class would be recognized as probably the best senior class to have gone through Florida State, and that is an honor that we probably won't even realize for years to come," he said.

"But we know coming into this game that we're only going to be remembered from our last game. That's going to be our legacy. So it is a matter of, 'Do you want to settle for being one of the great classes to go through Florida State or the best one ever?' So that's our goal."

Besides replacing players, Bowden will have to find a new offensive coordinator because Mark Richt is leaving after the Orange Bowl to become head coach at Georgia.

For starters, Bowden needs to pick a quarterback before next season's opener Sept. 1 at Duke. The candidates are Jared Jones, who played briefly in 1998 and 1999 before sitting out this year as a redshirt, and redshirt freshman Chris Rix.

"A lot of people kind of expect us to take a step down," Jones said. "Everyone kind of doubts us until you get something done."

The Seminoles also will lose Minor, the only player to lead the team in rushing for four straight years.

Fortunately for Florida State, there is depth to deal with the departures -- except at quarterback.

Minus Minnis, the Seminoles can count on Atrews Bell, Anquan Boldin, Javon Walker, Robert Morgan and Talman Gardner to catch the ball next season.

Tailback Greg Jones made a sudden impact with his speed and strength and junior Davy Ford did well before breaking his collarbone in the next-to-last game.

Richt, for one, is not worried about how Florida State will do without him.

"Coach Bowden will definitely be able to attract a great coach, and the players are still there," he said. "So I'm sure they will continue to succeed at the same level."