College Football: Buy or sell top 25 teams as National Title contenders

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The Florida State Seminoles rounded out the 2016 campaign in style with a big Orange Bowl victory over the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll see what happens with FSU in the absence of All-American running back Dalvin Cook. However, there’s a large amount of hype surrounding freshman running back Cam Akers.

Quarterback Deondre Francois ultimately holds the Seminoles’ fate in his hands. If Francois has the type of season that Jameis Winston put together in 2013, the last time that Florida State won the National Championship, then they’ll have a chance to do the same in 2017.

Entering 2016, Florida State’s defense looked like one of the best in country, if not the best. However, it became apparent that would not play out the way that head coach Jimbo Fisher picture when Florida State gave up 63 points to Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals.

Safety Derwin James has been touted as one of the best overall players in the country when he’s healthy. Defensive lineman Josh Sweat and Derrick Nnadi give the impression that the Noles could actually have the best defense in the country this year. FSU is the favorite to take home the ACC crown this season.

Verdict: Buy