Everette Brown News

No, the Carolina Panthers don't have a first-round pick in next year's draft. But according to scouts and personnel men throughout the league, that wouldn't necessarily preclude them from drafting a "quarterback of the future" in April.

It's not like Florida State's football schedules are printed each year with an asterisk by this game.

Before the season, few folks would ever have thrown Florida State QB Christian Pondera s name into the mix of possible early-entries into the 2010 NFL draft.

Three things you should take away from Florida State 30, North Carolina 27: 1. Florida State appeared in an escapable downward spiral until a third-quarter rally.

Defensive tackle Justin Mincey was coy about the decision he faced after full recovery from a knee injury he suffered during the preseason.

The answer to one of the most frequently asked questions about Florida State's defense - what happened to the pass rush? - can be found in part in the NFL.

The ACC can claim 259 spots on NFL rosters this season, led by 41 from Miami. Even if you subtract the 34 Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College players who never took a snap in the ACC, that's still a healthy number of professionals flowing through the conference.

Florida State hopes its offensive line youth movement continues to pay off in 2009.

Come back here each week for the latest edition of Fearless Predictions for every game, complete with the projected final score.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich Florida State recently released its depth chart for the Miami game, and it reflects seniority across the board with one true surprise: Craig Yarborough is listed as the starter at left end with freshman Toshmon Stevens as his backup.

PHIL COALE/Associated Press Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner throws a pass as Florida State defensive end Kevin McNeil closes in during a game last season in Tallahassee.

Craig Yarborough understands he's an unknown. He gets that. He's well aware that being a walk-on at a major college football program can be a rather anonymous existence.

What's up with the receivers? A lot of question marks. The Seminoles lost leading receivers Greg Carr and Preston Parker and most of their returning receivers have issues.

At one time, finishing 9-4 and ranked No. 21 was cause for concern at Florida State.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Seminoles enter the season without a quarterback controversy.

We're still in the preseason , of course, but it's almost over now. The college football season officially begins this week and, a week from Monday, Florida State will host Miami in a nationally televised Labor Day night game.

Orakpo finished sixth in the NCAA with 111/2 sacks on his way to Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Now ita TMs time for the flipside: things that could be going bit better. So leta TMs get to it: -Filling the holes in the secondary.

Last week we listed the five SEC players who'll be missed the most in 2009. Today let's look at the ACC list.

Two specific games in the 2008 season seem to be more painful to watch for the Florida State defensive line than the rest - the November 1 game at Georgia Tech and the November 15 game against Boston College.