Finally, after spending more than a generation in one place, Bobby Bowden must do something new.

He has replaced quarterbacks before. In fact, he has replaced them so expertly that some years the seam was barely visible.

Yet just when the Rose Bowl is in sight, Florida State's legend-in-residence replaces a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback with one who never has taken a college snap -- redshirt freshman Chris Rix.

"It was bound to happen sometime, but you did hope it wouldn't have to," Bowden said, and Seminoles fans hope he is only talking about never having to replace a three-year starter and not the end of his string of 14 10-win seasons.

Bowden begins his 26th season at FSU with 315 Division I-A wins, eight behind Paul "Bear" Bryant's record of 323 and seven behind Joe Paterno's 322-and-climbing.

Much of Bowden's attack on the record book depends on Rix and/or true freshman backup Adrian McPherson. And those newbie quarterbacks will have to make do without two quality receivers -- senior Robert Morgan and junior Anquan Boldin, who was also going to serve as an emergency quarterback. Both players suffered season-ending knee injuries during fall camp.

Rix was the leader in the clubhouse to replace Heisman winner Chris Weinke after heir-apparent Jared Jones was booted from the team after breaking unspecified team rules. During spring practice, Rix then narrowly outperformed Boldin.

The Seminoles, 11-2 (and national runners-up) in 2000, return only 10 starters, but have more than enough talent to win the ACC title for a record ninth consecutive time.

"It's not going to be easy. I know that," said Rix, a Southern California native who measures 6-2, 205 pounds. "I've got things I have to improve on, but I think I've made strides. I feel good about where I stand, what I'm doing. I want to be the man here, and I understand what that's about."

FSU has other holes to plug, and they must count on inexperience to do so. Center Antoine Mirambeau, guard Milford Brown (a new junior-college transfer) and tackle Todd Williams are new starters up front, joining part-time starters Montrae Holland and Otis Duhart at guard and All-America candidate Brett Williams at tackle.

If FSU's running game is to produce, then it must gain career productions from at least one of the three tailbacks. The trio of senior Davy Ford, sophomore Greg Jones and junior Nick Maddox has a combined 1,025 yards in career rushing.

Receivers are more of a question for 2001 than in any recent year, especially because Morgan, who was listed as a first-stringer heading into fall, was lost for the season when he torn knee ligaments on Aug. 14.

The remaining top guys -- Atrews Bell, Talman Gardner and Javon Walker -- have shown big-play potential, especially in Bell's case.

FSU should be strong through the heart of its defense, in the interior line, at middle linebacker and at safety. And it should be able to outrun some of the mistakes it will make.

"We've traded speed for experience," Bowden said.

Interior defensive linemen Darnell Dockett and Jeff Womble provide a solid anchor. Ends Alonzo Jackson, Kevin Emanuel and Charles Howard appear ready to join FSU's impressive parade of pass rushers.

Bradley Jennings will start for the third year in a row at middle linebacker, while a handful of youngsters compete for the outside spots, one of which was left open by the tragic death of Devaughn Darling before spring practice. Darling collapsed and died following an off-season agility workout.

Chris Hope and Abdual Howard are the safeties who must keep an eye on a gang of neophytes at the corners.

Although Florida State's early season schedule favors a team trying to develop its offense, the Seminoles need to have it all together by the time they play Georgia Tech at home on Sept. 15. FSU hasn't lost in 52 consecutive home games, but 2001 will not be a cakewalk to a fourth consecutive national championship game

Miami visits in October. The Seminoles end at Florida.

"We're taking the mentality that we have the talent to win a national championship," Hope said. "I don't care who the quarterback is, who the tailback is, any of that. We all came here for the same reason, and that doesn't change."

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