College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 8

The home upset to North Carolina earlier in October might have already taken Florida State out of the ACC Atlantic race. They get a bye week before facing Clemson at home in a must-win contest. The Seminoles are two games behind the Tigers in the division standings, and they’re also effectively two games behind Louisville after losing head-to-head against the Cardinals. Jimbo Fisher’s team has been balanced on offense, ranking in the top 35 in both passing and rushing production. Defense has been the biggest issue, as FSU has allowed more than four touchdowns per game.

Despite the fact that the ACC title is likely not in the cards this season for the Seminoles, they still have plenty to play for in 2016. Their high position in the AP Top 25 puts them in the pool of candidates for a New Year’s Six berth. Should they manage to upset Clemson, they’ll still have tough road games at NC State and Syracuse with a home showdown against Boston College in between. A ten-win season is definitely possible even with a loss to the Tigers next weekend, but only if they can shore up the defensive lags.