“In Jimbo we trust” has become a rally cry for the Florida State student body when supporting the Seminole football team—and rightfully so.

Now entering his third season as head coach of the football team, Jimbo Fisher has experienced regular and post season success. Fisher has accumulated a record of 19-8 in his first two years as master and commander of the Seminoles.

In his inaugural season as head coach, Fisher guided FSU to a 9-3 regular season record and an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. It was Florida State’s first time back in the conference title game since 2005.

The ’Noles lost to Virginia Tech in the Championship, but moved on to the Chick-fil-a Bowl in Atlanta where they beat South Carolina, despite losing their starting quarterback Christian Ponder to injury. Fisher’s 2010 Seminoles finished 10-4, a feat the Garnet and Gold had not accomplished since 2003.

The ninth head football coach in Florida State history, Jimbo Fisher’s 10 victories in his first season were the most wins recorded by any FSU coach in their initial year.
2011 proved to be a much more difficult campaign for the Jimbo-led Seminoles. FSU stumbled out of the starting gate with a 2-3 record. Florida State was plagued by injuries across the offensive board a year ago, making it especially difficult for Fisher’s squad. Despite the complications of dealing starting an unproven backup quarterback and a patched together offensive line, FSU was still able to secure a bowl bid. FSU defeated Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Fisher has secured FSU as the best football program in the Sunshine State during his two seasons, sweeping Miami and Florida in consecutive years. The previous time the Seminoles swept both rivals was in 1999. Fisher was only the third rookie coach in Florida State history to sweep the Hurricanes and Gators.

Greatness is awaiting Fisher and the Seminoles in 2012. Florida State’s schedule is relatively favorable, including two games against Football Bowl Subdivision team Murray State and Savannah State. Fisher and company were beneficiaries of West Virginia dropping FSU from their schedule.

FSU’s only other out-of-conference games are at South Florida and the annual rivalry game at home versus Florida. In 2011, the Bulls and Gators had a combined record of 12-13. Only UF reached a bowl game.

The ACC slate for next season is encouraging, as FSU faces only three true tests—hosting the reigning ACC champion Clemson Tigers, visiting rival Miami and traveling to Blacksburg to battle Virginia Tech.

Of the eight ACC teams Florida State will take the field against this coming season, five were bowl eligible and four actually traveled to a bowl game. Miami decided to self-impose a bowl ban, but that’s an article for a different time.

As a whole, those eight teams had a 2011 record of 50-52. I’m not saying it’s going to be a cake walk for the Seminoles, but the pieces are in place for Fisher’s team to make giant strides.

With a veteran quarterback, a dangerous backfield, top-fleet receivers, dominant defense and an encouraging schedule, 2012 could be the year of Jimbo.