Written by Paul Myerberg at USAToday.com
No. 1 Florida State. The Seminoles’ goals are simple: wrestle the Atlantic Coast Conference back from Clemson, reach the College Football Playoff and capture the second national championship of the Jimbo Fisher era.
Why No. 1?
1. The quick rebuild is done. Florida State never truly rebuilds, but the Seminoles do have the odd season where they retool if that makes sense. Take 2016, for instance. Was this a retooling season? Yeah, pretty much. But the final standings might belie that sentiment: FSU went 10-3, with two of those losses coming by a combined five points, and finished the year inside the top 10 of the Amway Coaches Poll. Not too bad.
So the thought process is pretty simple. If a younger, somewhat unproven, occasionally inconsistent FSU team can reach those heights, what can the more prepared and battle-tested Seminoles achieve in 2017?
2. Francois. More often than not last fall, Deondre Francois didn’t resemble a redshirt freshman — with exceptions coming during down moments against Louisville and Clemson, most notably, and again in wins against Florida and Michigan. As he enters his second year under center, look for Francois to continue his solid work limiting turnovers, increase his accuracy on the makeable throws in Fisher’s playbook, develop a stronger sense of the pass rush and grow into the leader this offense needs at the position.
Is he a Heisman Trophy contender? Without question. Francois will have the numbers and his team the success to be a national-award candidate.
3. The defense. It wasn’t a banner 2016 for the FSU defense, which had an absolutely horrid stretch in September and October before rebounding — against some inept offenses — in the final four games of the year. Expect a massive improvement from this side of the ball in 2017. There is no shortage of depth across the board.
The defensive line is loaded. Linebacker play will undoubtedly be improved. The secondary will be one of the best in the country; back from injury, safety Derwin James is a Heisman contender. This side of the ball will go from a concern to an absolute strength. It’s a defense seemingly capable of carrying FSU to the title.
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