Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – APRIL 14: Florida State head coach Willie Taggart looks on during the Florida State spring football game on April, 14, 2018 at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – APRIL 14: Florida State head coach Willie Taggart looks on during the Florida State spring football game on April, 14, 2018 at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Jimbo Fisher era is officially over. Hard to believe? Sure, but it was time for the two sides to move on after a rocky 2017 season which included plenty of rumors of Fisher’s unhappiness with the lack of top-tier facilities and funding.

Enter, Willie Taggart.

The former South Florida turned Oregon head coach spent just one season in Eugene before his ‘dream job’ opened up in Tallahassee. Luckily for him, Fisher left the cupboard full, including a couple of starting-caliber quarterbacks, one of the top sophomore running backs in college football and a defense that new coordinator Harlon Barnett has raved about.

Although that defense brings back just three starters, it’ll be one of the most naturally-talented units in the ACC, despite the youth. There are six projected starters who are freshmen or sophomores, meaning the future is bright on this side of the ball — the Seminoles ranked 18th nationally in total defense last year.

Offensively, Florida State will be much improved. Whoever wins the starting quarterback job — Deondre Francois or James Blackman — will have experience under his belt as well as weapons like Nyqwan Murray and Keith Gavin. The former could be a 1,000-yard receiver.

Don’t forget sophomore sensation running back Cam Akers who finished with over 1,000 yards as a true freshman. He’ll be backed up by former blue-chipper, and senior, Jacques Patrick.