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 the tailbacks are on crutches, recuperating from surgery. When Florida State lines up against Georgia, sophomore Fabian Walker will start. The good news is that Walker's passing efficiency rating this season (140.2) is higher than Rix (128.2) or McPherson (131.0). The bad news is that Walker threw 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.

The larger issue, of course, is Rix and the way he has let his team down. He has made reference to family issues that presumably involve his father in California. That would explain late-night phone calls, which would be the cause of oversleeping and missing a final.

It's difficult not to be sympathetic. However, he has teammates with issues just as difficult. Linebacker Alonzo Jackson's father is dying of cancer. Jackson has turned his senior season into a gift to his dad, from greatly improved play (11 sacks) to graduating last Saturday, after only three-and-a-half years. Rix, meanwhile, has let his problems control him. It's a question of maturity. The golden boy still has some growing up to do.

Given the circumstances, expect Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder [cq], to load up to stop Washington 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.