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College football Week 1: 5 teams on upset alert

By Cody Williams

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs in action during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs in action during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on a run play during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on a run play during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Rank: 1, Opponent: (3) Florida State

For the most part, it wouldn’t be considered any real upset if the No. 3 ranked team in college football knocked off the No. 1 team in the nation. By the rankings, sure, it’s an upset. However, in terms of the common perception, that’s not much of one at all as the third-ranked team in the country should be able to come up with a victory — or at least come close — against the top-ranked team.

With that being said, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the exception to this as they open their season with the Saturday night marquee matchup against the Florida State Seminoles. In many cases, Nick Saban’s Alabama teams are the exceptions to rules. This is another one of those instances.

Next: College Football's 25 Best Rivalries

Coming into this matchup on Saturday night, the Crimson Tide will likely be favored by about a touchdown. Considering the talent they replaced talented defenders who departed with and then returning studs like quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Bo Scarbrough and wide receiver Calvin Ridley, that all makes sense.

However, Florida State is every bit as good as this Alabama team. Deondre Francois looks like a breakout candidate while running backs Jacques Patrick and freshman Cam Akers look dynamic. Then there’s the defense led by the likes of Derwin James and Tarvarus McFadden. They have more than a viable chance to not only beat the Tide, but to actually do so emphatically.

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