Picking Florida State as a potential playoff and national title contender has a lot to with the strength of its defense, which returns a handful of future NFL Draft picks and should be among the best in the ACC, and maybe the country.

That group could be without a potential star against Alabama, as coach Jimbo Fisher indicated Wednesday on the ACC coaches' teleconference that the curious case of Matthew Thomas has not reached a conclusion, and he doesn't know if the star linebacker will play against the Crimson Tide.

Thomas was a top recruit coming out of high school in 2013, but struggled to see the field early in his career because of both injury issues and suspensions. But last year he had a breakthrough, leading the team in tackles (77) and finishing the season strong with a great performance in the Seminoles' Orange Bowl win against Michigan. He's been absent from fall camp practices, and Fisher has not discussed specifics with his status or committed to a date of return.

On Wednesday's call, Fisher said that Thomas still hasn't returned to practice yet -- after indicating in a press conference on Monday that Thomas could be back in action soon -- and when asked about his status for Alabama, the FSU coach responded with "I don't know."