FSU gets star Parker back vs. Wake
This should be the week we find out whether No. 25 Florida State has improved at all this year or if the Seminoles are headed for another 7-6 season under Bobby Bowden.
FSU has won its first two games by a total of 115-7 … but don’t get too excited about that as it came against Western Carolina and Chattanooga. But this week the Seminoles open ACC play at home against No. 18 Wake Forest and get back their best player in WR Preston Parker.
Parker missed the first two games as part of his punishment for pleading guilty to misdemeanor marijuana and gun charges. He says he’s ready to play his part in what has been an awesome offense so far.
“They’ve got a lot of tools,” Parker said. “I’ll just be a little extra tool they can use.”
Parker, who had more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, played at tailback and wide receiver last season. FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said that he was unsure where Parker would line up on Saturday.
Fisher isn’t concerned whether Parker will be ready to go, however. He believes the only problem will be keeping Parker’s emotions in check.
“To his credit, he’s pushed through it and when he got on the field he took off,” Fisher said of Parker, who worked with the scout team for the first two weeks. “What he’s loved was taken away, but what he learned to do was change his habits, the way he conducts himself.”
FSU also gets back defensive tackle Budd Thacker against the Demon Deacons. Thacker was one of the players suspended four games for his role in the athletic department’s academic misconduct scandal.
Wake’s running attack has given FSU trouble in the past few meetings, so Thacker’s return provides needed size, depth and experience.
“Getting Budd back doesn’t make us better,” said FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews. “Getting Budd back, wide-eyed, scratching and clawing and getting after people will help us be a better football team. … We are excited to have him back because I think that is the way Budd will play.”
Wake Forest running backs Josh Adams ran for 140 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in Wake’s 24-21 victory over FSU last season.
FSU has opened as a 4-point betting favorite for Saturday’s game.
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