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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 02: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on December 02, 2017 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 02: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on December 02, 2017 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

22. Cam Akers, Florida State Seminoles

It is hard to get an accurate prediction on the Florida State Seminoles. They started the year as the third-ranked team in the country. Deondre Francois was injured in the first game of the year against Alabama and the offense sputtered the rest of the way. They lost a lot of talent on defense including star safety Derwin James. The lone bright spot of last season was the running game. The offensive line was weak but they were young, a lot of them are coming back this year.

The Florida State x-factor this year will be Cam Akers. With the offensive line improving but the quarterback situation being unsettled Akers will need to provide the bulk of the offense. With just under 1,200 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns as a freshman Akers can take the next step.

Without the running game, the offense will struggle. The defense is good but not good enough to carry a broken offense. It is crucial that Akers is effective because it will help all aspects of the team. A strong running game will open up the passing game. If the offense can keep the chains moving the defense can be off the field can rest. Once the three and out starts the defense will get run down and the better offenses on the schedule will take over.

The schedule is back-loaded so if Florida State can get rolling early and figure out their quarterback situation they can have a good year. Virginia Tech in week one will be a tough matchup but they get to work through easier matchups following. Miami, Clemson, Notre Dame and Florida all coming later in the year will be tough. There is a great opportunity for Florida State to show the college football world last year was a fluke. If Akers cannot get rolling the offense will struggle and it will be another nightmare season for the Seminoles.