When Florida State's season began, the Seminoles had two talented quarterbacks (Chris Rix and Adrian McPherson) and two talented tailbacks (Greg Jones and Nick Maddox), and woe be the defenses that would have to stop them.

Two weeks before the Sugar Bowl, the quarterbacks are off the team because of their actions off the field and Jones is on crutches, recuperating from surgery.

When Florida State lines up against Georgia, sophomore Fabian Walker will start at quarterback. The good news is that Walker's passing efficiency rating this season (140.2) is higher than those of Rix (128.2) and McPherson (131.0). The bad news is that Walker threw just eight passes in three games.

At tailback, Leon Washington, with his single, 134-yard start against Florida, is looking as experienced as Emmitt Smith when compared with his quarterback. Maddox, who missed the Florida game with a leg injury, will be needed desperately against Georgia.

Rix is having family problems that have overwhelmed him at times this season. The California native has spent many a late night on the phone. That's what caused him to miss the 6 a.m. weight-lifting sessions that incurred the ire of his teammates during the season, and oversleeping is what caused him to miss the final exam that cost him his eligibility for the Sugar Bowl.

For want of an alarm clock, the Seminoles' chance of a Sugar Bowl victory is in jeopardy.

Given the circumstances, expect Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to load up to stop the Seminoles' running game and make Walker try to beat the Dawgs. That's what Tennessee did to Florida State backup Marcus Outzen in the Fiesta Bowl four years ago, which is why the Vols won the national championship.

In a season of highs and lows for the Seminoles, Rix delivered a wonderful high against Florida. Too bad he couldn't resist dipping into his bag of surprises one more time.

Ivan Maisel is a senior writer for ESPN.com. E-mail him at ivan.maisel@espn3.com.