His voice still resonates with enthusiasm and hope, enough to let someone know Bobby Bowden hasn't lost passion as Florida State's iconic football coach.

He mentions the progress with the offense. The better understanding among his remodeled coaching staff. The improved recruiting efforts in February. The optimistic outlook he maintains for the team.

"We're still a team of potential, a team that hasn't done it yet," said Bowden, following spring practice "But I do see potential out there."

While the Seminoles had a relatively smooth spring, devoid of serious injuries, they're still left with a lot of uncertain questions. Their list of issues grew in April when receiver Preston Parker, the team's top offensive player last year and the overall MVP of a disappointing 2007 season, was arrested near West Palm Beach for carrying a concealed weapon and having marijuana in his vehicle.

His case will be resolved, but it's the last thing FSU needed after an offseason dealing with the academic fraud resolution and complete overhaul of the athletic administration.

Still, natural optimism enters the 2008 outlook. Will hope translate into performance for the Seminoles?

For the eighth consecutive year, Florida State begins a season far removed from the Top 10, the perceived title contenders, the elite plateau of college football. It's a place the Seminoles once occupied as if they had a trademark.

But the current facts are stunning. Florida State finished the past two seasons unranked. The Seminoles have twice finished 7-6. Consider, they lost only 13 games during the entire decade of the 90's, which produced two national championships.

Their last win in a BCS bowl game was beating Michael Vick and Virginia Tech in the Jan. 4, 2000 Sugar Bowl to finish No. 1.

All this for a program once boasting an unbeaten bowl record for 14 straight years.

"We've got work to do to change who we are as a football team," said offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, the head-coach-in-waiting when Bobby Bowden retires. "There's work. That's going to take time. It doesn't just magically happen.

"It's still the same guys. They just have to get better and keep growing."

That's the daunting challenge facing Florida State. Will it happen? Can it happen?

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