ESPN.com Preseason Power Rankings

5. Florida State
After winning the Atlantic Division title and beating SEC East champ South Carolina in Jimbo Fisher's first season, expectations are soaring for the Seminoles heading into his second. Florida State returns 18 starters and is one of the deepest teams in the ACC. The biggest transition is at quarterback, but even first-year starter EJ Manuel is no rookie, having gone 4-2 in games as a starter. The Noles have to replace two linebackers and two offensive linemen, but the young linebackers could actually be an upgrade. Whether or not FSU carries the banner for the ACC on a national level depends heavily on its Sept. 17 matchup against Oklahoma. If Florida State can win that home game, consider the Seminoles a national title contender.
-- Heather Dinich, ESPN.com ACC blogger
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