SEC Football: 5 teams who can dethrone Alabama in 2017

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates their 33 to 32 win over the Michigan Wolverines during the Capitol One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

5. Florida State Seminoles – September 2

The Alabama Crimson Tide haven’t opened the season against an ACC opponent since the 2013 season. Back then, they faced the Virginia Tech Hokies, making easy work of them 35-10 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

On September 3, they’ll face a stronger foe in the Florida State Seminoles. The two teams haven’t met since 2007, when Alabama lost 21-14.

Quarterback Deondre Francois has some experience defeating an SEC team in a season opener as well. Francois led the Noles to a 45-34 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels in his first collegiate start.

The Crimson Tide are a tougher team than the Rebels, but Francois will be up for the challenge. Although he loses running back Dalvin Cook, true freshman Cam Akers is already turning heads on special teams and out of the backfield.

Florida State was arguably the best three-loss team in the FBS last season, which explains why they finished in the top 10 in the AP Poll. As a possible contender for the ACC title, the Seminoles are the first team that stands in the way of dethroning the Alabama Crimson Tide. They’ll have to play a solid game as the return of safety Derwin James will play a large role in any success Florida State may have.

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