No. 8 Florida State and its returning stars have a chance to gain early foothold in CFP chase

Florida State probably won’t have to wait until December to learn its fate regarding the College Football Playoff.

The eighth-ranked Seminoles, entering their most anticipated campaign in nearly a decade, should have a solid handle on their outlook after the first month of the season.

Coach Mike Norvell’s team opens against No. 5 LSU in Orlando on Sept. 3, a prime-time showcase featuring two championship contenders, and then plays at ninth-ranked Clemson three weeks later. Beat both Tigers and FSU would be in position to return to the CFP for the first time since 2014.

The Seminoles, however, are expected to be underdogs in each game. LSU opened as 2 1/2-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. And Clemson, meanwhile, has won seven consecutive meetings between the Atlantic Coast Conference heavyweights.

“I’m not looking for the easiest path to get to where we need to go,” Norvell said.

No one should be surprised to see Norvell and the ’Noles celebrating an ACC title in four months and punching their ticket to the CFP. After all, this team returns 15 starters — nearly 90% of its playmakers from last season — including several stars.

Quarterback Jordan Travis, All-ACC edge rusher Jared Verse, receiver Johnny Wilson and defensive lineman Fabian Lovett stuck around for a chance to end their college careers with a championship, maybe two.

“I’m glad all those boys decided to come back,” linebacker Kalen DeLoach said. “They felt like what we had here, we need to leave our legacy, we need to leave our mark. They felt like we weren’t done yet.”

Adding more to Norvell’s team, he landed Michigan State standout receiver Keon Coleman, Virginia shutdown cornerback Fentrell Cypress, versatile…