Even before Deondre Francois' season-ending injury and James Blackman's surprising ascension to starting quarterback, there already were questions about Florida State's offense in 2017.
The offensive line was one concern. The lack of experience at wide receiver was another. And there would be new starters at tailback and fullback as well.
So, while most of the focus has been on Blackman becoming FSU's first true freshman starting quarterback since Chip Ferguson in 1985, the entire Seminoles offense will be looking to prove itself this Saturday against an N.C. State defense that is one of the most experienced in the country.
And they'll be doing it after not playing a game in 21 days, since a season-opening, 24-7 loss to Alabama.
"We've practiced hard, we've practiced well and done a lot of good-on-good, which we always do anyway," Fisher said Wednesday during the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches' teleconference. "We've got a lot of [game speed] looks. This week, we've got the scout [team] look, and we expect them to execute. I hope that's what we do.
"Take care of the football, execute, be able to move that football and score points in the red zone, covert on third down: the things we always do."
FSU entered 2017 with confidence that Francois' experience would be a steadying force for a rebuilt offense. Francois, a redshirt sophomore, threw for 3,350 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first campaign as a starter.
The biggest concern regarding Francois was how the Seminoles' offensive line would protect him. Fisher sounded confident about the unit throughout preseason camp. He and offensive line coach Rick Trickett selected Derrick Kelly, Landon Dickerson, Alec Eberle, Cole Minshew and Rick Leonard as their best five.
Alabama, which led the nation in sacks last season, recorded three against FSU in the season opener. But Fisher said the play where the Seminoles lost Francois -- a shoestring tackle on a weak-side blitz by Crimson Tide safety Ronnie Harrison -- was not the line's fault.
And even though FSU has not played in more than two weeks because of issues related to Hurricane Irma, Fisher said he's still liking what he's viewed from the line in practices.
"I thought we played a very solid game on the offensive line [against Alabama]," Fisher said Wednesday. "We ran the ball when we did run it, and thought the pass protection, for the most part, was really good. We gave [Francois] time to make throws and plays. I think the experience really helped. I'm looking forward to them playing well.
"Any team, when your offensive line plays well, it's a much easier game to execute to let your skill guys do the things they do. I hope they continue to play well, but again, they have a huge challenge in front of them."
