RALEIGH, N.C. — Florida State's streaks all came tumbling down last season. That remarkable 14-year run of top 5 finishes in the AP media poll? Finished.

        The streak of 10-win seasons over the same span? Done, too. So were the nine years of Atlantic Coast Conference crowns and the three years of Bowl Championship Series title games.

        Only late victories over Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech prevented the Seminoles from an unthinkable .500 record. Instead, Florida State finished 8-4 and ranked 15th.

        “If we would have ended up on a sour note, I would have probably been pretty leery coming into this season,” said coach Bobby Bowden, whose team is ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll. “I probably would have been thinking, 'Have we lost it?'

        “But we won those two ball games. So, I got a feel over the year that we made progress that you are supposed to make and we're now ready to start taking on the big guys again.”

        College football's dynasty of the 1990s just had too much to overcome: inexperience, coaching changes, injuries, and the death of freshman Devaughn Darling in offseason conditioning drills.

        “It wasn't based on overconfidence, it was based on a boy who died,” Bowden said of the program's first four-loss season in 15 years. “This time a year ago we were distraught, everybody was torn up, I was torn up. Everybody was cautious, afraid to work the kids hard because something might happen. There is an entirely different attitude among our players than a year ago.”

        Quarterback Chris Rix knew the Seminoles were back a few minutes into the spring game.

        “We came out and scored on the first drive,” said Rix, who threw for 24 TDs as a freshman after a slow start. “It's something we did just one time last year. With the talent around me it's going to be hard for us to be set up to fail.”

        Many of the Seminoles said they were embarrassed by last year.

        “We're about as motivated as we can be,” Rix said. “We're anxious to get back out on the field and prove we're back, not just talk about it.”

        The ACC might have more balance than in recent years with league champion Maryland, North Carolina State and Georgia Tech all capable of challenging for supremacy.

        “They've got to show they're not a one-year wonder,” Bowden said of the Terrapins, who went 10-1 before a 56-23 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl.

        No. 21 Maryland still has ACC player of the year E.J. Henderson and offensive player of the year Bruce Perry.

        One thing is certain in College Park, Md. — people are fired up about football.

        “Our players can walk around campus and people will acknowledge them,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “That has never happened before.”

        Team capsules, in predicted order of finish:

        FLORIDA STATE: The Seminoles' non-conference schedule may be the toughest in the nation, with games against Louisville, Miami, Notre Dame and Florida. ... A win in the Aug. 24 opener against Iowa State would move Bowden past Bear Bryant and into second place on the career victory list with 324. ... Seminoles welcome back WRs Robert Morgan and Anquan Boldin, both out last year with injuries ... Defense returns eight starters.

        NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Chuck Amato, former Seminoles assistant, became the first ACC coach to beat the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. ... QB Philip Rivers has 5,640 yards and 41 TDs entering his junior season. ... FS Terrence Holt, younger brother of St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt, anchors defense. ... Could be 6-0 heading to archrival North Carolina on Oct. 12.

        MARYLAND: Terps defend first ACC crown since 1985 ... Eight starters back on offense that averaged league-best 35.5 ppg ... Friedgen, aka The Fridge, has lost 37 pounds and is now under 320.

        GEORGIA TECH: Former Cowboys coach Chan Gailey takes over one of college football's biggest disappointments in 2001. ... Finished 8-5 and fourth in the ACC. ... Nine starters return on defense, including Greg Gathers, who has 30 career sacks. ... QB George Godsey is gone; transfer A.J. Suggs takes over. ... K Luke Manget has an ACC-record 131 consecutive PATs.

        CLEMSON: QB Woodrow Dantzler is gone; Willie Simmons moves in ... Defense returns eight starters.

        NORTH CAROLINA: League's best defense last year might be worst in '02. ... Eight starters, including Julius Peppers and Ryan Sims, gone. ... Look for lots of points behind QB Darian Durant (1,843 yards, 17 TDs).

        WAKE FOREST: Led league in rushing in '01, but there could be problems this year. TB Tarence Williams might miss first three games with a broken foot; backup Fred Staton is academically ineligible ... Last year's 6-5 mark was team's third winning season since 1988.

        VIRGINIA: Former Jets coach Al Groh had a strong recruiting class, but Cavs might be too young to contend this season. ... Last year's 5-7 record was first losing season since '86.

        DUKE: Blue Devils' 23-game losing streak is longest in nation. ... LB Jamyon Small is team's only senior. ... Ted Roof left Georgia Tech to become defensive coordinator. ... Last victory: over Wake Forest in November 1999.