Ask any college football betting fan who the biggest contenders are for next season and they will gladly answer Clemson and Alabama. After both teams made back to back title appearances, even the NCAA football odds are convinced both programs are contenders. But in the light of Deshaun Watson’s departure, along with the Crimson Tide’s loss in the championship match, is there another school ready to emerge as the best program in the nation?

There might be and if there was, it would have to be Florida State. The Seminoles finished out the 2016 season by winning 5 straight, including an edge-of-your-seat 33-32 win over Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Looking over the team, it’s clear that Florida State has the makings of a college football betting favorite. Sure they suffered some eye-raising losses, like Dalvin Cook and DeMarcus Walker heading to the NFL.

But there’s no shortage of talent in Florida State’s ranks and the Seminoles enter the 2017 season on a bit of a hot streak. The school has gone five straight seasons with 10 or more wins. This season, Florida State is hoping to make the playoffs in order to keep raising their stake. Here are 5 reasons the Seminoles can accomplish that.

No. 1 – Deondre Francois

Francois passed for 3,350 yards and scored 25 touchdowns for the Seminoles last season, earning himself ACC Rookie of the Year honors for the 2016 season. There’s no question that Francois won’t be surrounded by the same pieces that gave way to his 2016 success, but college football betting fans can only expect improvements in his second year.

No. 2 – The Running Game

Sure, Dalvin Cook is out, but that doesn’t mean you can rule out the Seminoles running game. Jacques Patrick will be making his return for Florida State, and most sportsbooks agree that Patrick was a solid No. 2 option behind Cook. Patrick now has the opportunity to become the Seminoles’ No. 1 option – and with a career 5.4 yards per carry, he’s not a bad option at all.

No. 3 – D-Line Depth

The running game lost Dalvin Cook and the D-line is now without All-American DeMarcus Walker. But, once again, that’s not enough to rule this unit out. They may not be as flashy, but they still have all the makings to be a dominant force.

They’ll have Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas doing damage in the middle, Josh Sweat and last year’s sac leader Brian Burns tearing up the outside, and Jacob Pugh, Wally Aime, Fred Jones, and Janarius Robinson to add above average depth.

No. 4 – Superior Secondary

Derwin James missed almost the entirety of the 2016 season after suffering a bad meniscus tear. However, those who watched James during his freshman year know exactly how foreboding of a safety he is. James, alongside Tarvarus McFadden, gives the Seminoles one of the best secondaries in the nation.

No. 5 – Experience

Florida State was plagued by injuries last season. The Seminoles fared better than expected and this season they will reap their biggest reward.

Having players like James, Jesus, Wilson, Kareem Are and Marcus Lewis missing time opened the door for younger players to step in and get some much needed practice. Now, they’ll not only have their best players as healthy as possible, they’ll also have a roster that is brimming with experience, ready to show the nation just what they’re made of.