The Florida State Seminoles
When you only lose four total starters in college football, you limit your variables and analysts have a better handle one what to expect. Among the four starters FSU did lose was Christian Ponder, whose loss might not be as bad as you might think because of EJ Manuel.

Manuel is much bigger than Ponder (6’4’’, 235lbs) and isn’t exactly green. He has played in 14 games as a Seminole and completed over 67-percent of his passes. Manuel’s greatest strength will be his supporting cast. FSU returns all three of their leading rushers from last year, as well as their top four wide receivers.

ACC Title Hopes
Florida State is a clear favorite to win the ACC Atlantic Division at odds of –300. While I think it is a bet that will pay, I am not loving 33-cents on the dollar. If you look lower on the board, Florida State is still the favorite to win the ACC Conference, but at a friendlier price of +150. That is the bet I love and advise you to take.

The ACC is an average conference with a mushy middle and a dreadful bottom. Miami has been a house of cards since Jacory Harris got to campus. Last year, Florida State decimated the Hurricane’s in Miami and will be a clear favorite again this year when they host the ‘Canes on November 12. The ACC’s other power program is Virginia Tech, lost Tyrod Taylor or their two top running backs. Oh yeah, and they are not on the schedule

Miami is just one piece of a favorable home schedule for the Seminoles. They host conference upstarts Maryland and North Carolina State, as well as a scrappy Virginia team. The road tests are not daunting with trips to Clemson, Wake Forest and Duke. Their true test should come during a Thursday night game in November at Boston College.

Worth a BCS Title Future?
The short answer is yes! Florida State is among the few teams that has a good path to the National Championship Game and Vegas is giving you odds of +1200. The Seminoles finished a respectable 10-4 last season, return 18 starters and play their toughest game very early in their schedule when they host Oklahoma on September 17th.

As anyone who follows college football will tell you, “if you are going to lose, lose early.” If Florida State loses to Oklahoma, they will have a loss early, but no real threats down the stretch. In looking at the schedules of other quality teams who play tough games early, Florida State is the least likely team to sustain another loss. And if Florida State does beat Oklahoma, it is very likely they could run the table.

The Seminoles are a great future pick not only because their returning starters and home schedule, but because of the odds. At twelve times the return, you will get plenty of room to hedge your bet should they make it to New Orleans.

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