The 2015 season is over, with Alabama capturing the national championship in a 45-40 win over Clemson. Now that the season is over, it's time to turn the attention to the 2016 season. It's never too early for next season's Top 25, and we're here to provide that.
A big tip of the cap to my fellow staff writers, Justin Lee and Brian Rauf, as we combined to put together this Top 25. There were several worthy teams that just missed out on a Top 25 spot and we could end up being completely wrong. With that in mind, here are our official Top 25 rankings for the 2016 season.
Just missed the cut:
Arkansas, Washington, Washington State, Miami (FL), Northwestern, Texas A&M
25. Florida Gators
Key personnel losses:
CB Vernon Hargreaves III, RB Kelvin Taylor, WR Demarcus Robinson, QB Will Grier, DE Alex McCalister, S Keanu Neal
2016’s best players:
S Marcus Maye, WR Antonio Galloway, QB Treon Harris
Toughest 3 games:
at Tennessee (Sept. 24), LSU (Oct. 8), at Florida State (Nov. 26)
Quick take:
Florida made great strides in head coach Jim McElwain’s first season, but they need to find a quarterback if they’re going to have any kind of success in 2015. Treon Harris has been putrid at the position over the last two years, meaning the Gators could turn to true freshman Feleipe Franks. While quarterback is their biggest concern, Florida also has to replace their leading rusher, best receiver, and two expected first-round picks in the secondary. Expect the Gators to take a step back in 2016, though they’ll still win eight games.
Key personnel losses:
QB Marquise Williams, WR Quinshad Davis, LB Jeff Schoettmer, S Sam Smiley, DE Jessie Rogers
2016’s best players:
RB Elijah Hood, WR Ryan Switzer, WR Mack Hollins, WR Bug Howard, QB Mitch Trubisky, CB Des Lawrence
Toughest 3 games:
Georgia (neutral site, Sept. 3), at Florida State (TBD), at Miami (TBD)
Quick take:
North Carolina surprisingly reeled off 11 straight wins and came thisclose to beating Clemson and winning the ACC Championship. They do quarterback Marquise Williams, but many around the program think that may be a good thing because of the tremendous upside of incumbent Mitch Trubisky. UNC’s explosive offense, with almost all of their big-time weapons back, won’t miss a beat with Trubisky under center - their success will be determined by their defense. If that unit plays at the same level they did this year, the Heels could pull a stunner and win the ACC.
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
Key personnel losses:
RB Jordan Canzeri, TE Henry Krieger Cable, WR Tevaun Smith, DE Nate Meier, LB Cole Fisher, FS Jordan Lomax
2016’s best players:
QB C.J. Beathard, RB Akrum Wadley, RB LeShun Daniels, WR Matt VandeBerg, LB Josey Jewell, CB Desmond King
Toughest 3 games:
Wisconsin (Oct. 22nd), Michigan (Nov. 12), at Nebraska (Nov. 25th)
Quick take:
The team will hopefully have Kind back for another season and the defense should remain strong. Canzeri will be missed, but the running game should remain the successful focal point of the offense. Beathard should be even better next year. Another easy schedule means Iowa could be back in the Big Ten Championship game.
Key personnel losses:
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Cameron Sutton, RB Alvin Kamara, WR Von Pearson, DB Brian Randolph
2016’s best players:
QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, WR Josh Malone, DE Derek Barnett, LB Darrin Kirkland Jr., DL Corey Vereen, DB Evan Berry
Toughest 3 games:
at Georgia (Oct. 1), at Texas A&M (Oct. 8), Alabama (Oct. 15)
Quick take:
The Vols are just oozing with potential - now they just have to deliver on all that promise. Tennessee went 9-4 in 2015, falling short of lofty preseason expectations, but almost every key player is returning for the 2016. Their young talent now has experience, making them a real dark horse to make the College Football Playoff.
21. Ole Miss Rebels
Key personnel losses:
DT Robert Nkemdiche, OT Laremy Tunsil, WR Laquon Treadwell, RB Jaylen Walton, WR Cody Core, LB Denzel Nkemdiche, DB Trae Elston, DE Channing Ward, C Ben Still, LG Aaron Morris, RT Fahn Cooper
2016’s best players:
QB Chad Kelly, TE Evan Engram, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, DB Tony Bridges, OL Gregory Little
Toughest 3 games:
Florida State (neutral site, Sept. 5), Alabama (Sept. 17), at LSU (Oct. 22)
Quick take:
Ole Miss is losing almost all of their star players that helped but the Rebels on the map under Hugh Freeze, but a group of talented returners - and the top recruiting class in the country - will keep Ole Miss among the best teams in the SEC. While they figure to be a step behind Alabama and LSU, the Rebels are a very, very dangerous team.
20. USC Trojans
Key personnel losses:
QB Cody Kessler, LB Su’a Cravens, NT Antwaun Woods
2016’s best players:
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, CB Adoree’ Jackson, CB Iman Marshall
Toughest 3 games:
Alabama (September 3rd), at Stanford (September 17th), Notre Dame (November 26th)
Quick take:
The Trojans lose QB Cody Kessler to graduation and will have to fill several key spots on both sides of the ball. However, there is an abundance of playmakers for HC Clay Helton to work with and another blue-chip crop of recruits headed their way.
Key personnel losses:
DE Sheldon Rankins, DE Pio Vatuvei
2016’s best players:
QB Lamar Jackson, S Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB Devonte Fields, DT DeAngelo Brown
Toughest 3 games:
at Clemson (TBA), Florida State (TBA) at Houston (November 19th)
Quick take:
Louisville is extremely young and dangerous on offense and they have four defensive standouts (Harvey-Clemons, Brown, Fields, Keith Kelsey) who declined early entry into the NFL Draft in hopes of winning an ACC title next year. Losing potential first-round draft pick Sheldon Rankins will hurt, but this still a team whose defense can carry them far in 2016.
18. TCU Horned Frogs
Key personnel losses:
QB Trevone Boykin, WR Josh Doctson, RB Aaron Green LT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, C Joey Hunt, FS Derrick Kindred, K Jaden Oberkrom
2016’s best players:
QB Kenny Hill, WR Taj Williams, LB Ty Summers
Toughest 3 games:
Oklahoma (October 1st), at Baylor (November 5th), Oklahoma State (November 19th)
Quick take:
TCU will be without its big three on offense (Boykin, Doctson, Green), along will some all-conference talents on the offensive line. However, former Texas A&M starting QB Kenny Hill and JUCO transfer WR Taj Williams are going to have a field day in TCU’s wide-open offense. The defense will also be healthier and much deeper than it was at the end of the 2015 campaign.
17. UCLA Bruins
Key personnel losses:
LB Myles Jack, RB Paul Perkins, RG Alex Redmond, C Jake Brendel, LB Aaron Wallace, DL Kenny Clark, WR Jordan Payton
2016’s best players:
QB Josh Rosen, RB Soso Jamabo, WR Thomas Duarte, LB Jayon Brown
Toughest 3 games:
at Texas A&M (September 3rd), Stanford (September 24th), USC (November 19th)
Quick take:
It’s going to be impossible to replace Kenny Clark and Aaron Wallace’s production on defense, and the loss of linebacker Myles Jack completely changes the entire tenor of the unit. However, the young trio of QB Josh Rosen, RB Soso Jamabo and RB Nate Starks are going to do fantastic things on offense -- giving UCLA some leeway on the other side of the ball.
Key personnel losses:
QB Joel Stave, WR Alex Erickson, TE Austin Traylor, LB Joe Schobert, CB Darius Hillary, FS Tanner McEvoy, SS Michael Caputo
2016’s best players:
RB Corey Clement, RB Dare Ogunbowale, WR Robert Wheelwright, MLB T.J. Edwards, LB Jack Cichy, CB Sojourn Shelton
Toughest 3 games:
LSU Tigers (neutral site, Sept. 3rd), at Michigan (Oct. 1st), Ohio State (Oct. 15th)
Quick take:
Wisconsin will need to find a replacement for QB Joel Stave and lose several key members of the back seven on defense, but they should be just fine. Corey Clement hardly played this year and his return will boost an already strong running game. If Wisconsin gets serviceable QB play from someone (Bart Houston?), they’ll be Big Ten contenders.
Key personnel losses:
DE Emmanuel Ogbah, CB Kevin Peterson, LB Ryan Simmons, WR Branden Shepard, WR David Glidden
2016’s best players:
QB Mason Rudolph, S Jordan Sterns, LB Jordan Burton
Toughest 3 games:
at Baylor (September 24th), at TCU (November 19th), at Oklahoma (December 3rd)
Quick take:
Losing Ogbah and Peterson is going to hurt a defense that underperformed as it was in 2015, but there is plenty of returning talent who’ll be ready to patch up the holes next season. The real calling card for OSU, as always, is the offense. QB Mason Rudolph is the key, as is the team’s hope that a running back will emerge from the current committee and reach star status.
14. Georgia Bulldogs
Key personnel losses:
WR Malcolm Mitchell, RT John Theus, C Hunter Long, LB Jake Ganus, LB Jordan Jenkins, DE Sterling Bailey
2016’s best players:
RB Nick Chubb, RB Sony Michel, WR Terry Godwin, QB Jacob Eason, TE Isaac Nauta
Toughest 3 games:
North Carolina (neutral site, Sept. 3), at Ole Miss (Sept. 24), Tennessee (Oct. 1)
Quick take:
Georgia’s offense will be centered around star RB Nick Chubb, who missed the second half of the season with a knee injury, but their overall success will be determined by the play of freshman QB Jacob Eason (the top QB recruit in the country), who is expected to start for him. The Bulldogs have won 10 games in each of the last two years with bad quarterback play, so if Eason can deliver on the hype, the Bulldogs will challenge for the SEC title.
NOW READ: Heisman Trophy Rankings For 2016
13. LSU Tigers
Key personnel losses:
S Jalen Mills, RT Vadal Alexander, LB Lamar Louis, LB Deion Jones
2016’s best players:
RB Leonard Fournette, QB Brandon Harris, WR Malachi Dupre, LB Kendall Beckwith, S Jamal Adams, DE Lewis Neal, CB Tre’Davious White, DT Davon Godchaux, DE Arden Key, CB Kevin Tolliver II, S Rickey Jefferson
Toughest 3 games:
at Florida (Oct. 8), Ole Miss (Oct. 22), Alabama (Nov. 5)
Quick take:
You know what you’re going to get from Leonard Fournette, who may very well be the best back in the country. However, LSU needs to give him some help if they’re going to win the SEC and make the playoff. Quarterback Brandon Harris absolutely needs to show some progression in his third year as a starter, and their young defense needs to mature into the kind of unit we’ve come to expect from Les Miles-coached teams. If that happens, the Tigers will overtake Alabama in the SEC.
12. Oregon Ducks
Key personnel losses:
QB Vernon Adams, DE DeForest Buckner, WR Bralon Addison, OT Tyler Johnstone, NT Alex Balducci, ILB Joe Walker, OLB Tyson Coleman, ILB Rodney Hardrick
2016’s best players:
RB Royce Freeman, CB Tyree Robinson, S Reggie Daniels
Toughest 3 games:
at Nebraska (September 17th), at USC (November 5th), Stanford (November 12th)
Quick take:
The more things change on offense at Autzen, the more things stay the same. The Ducks’ attack will need some readjustment with Vernon Adams and Bralon Addison departing, but RB Royce Freeman’s going to run over defenses in full Heisman contender mode. The problem here is defense -- Oregon loses its three top tacklers and NFL superstar-in-waiting DeForest Buckner. How they address the D will determine how their 2016 season plays out.
11. Houston Cougars
Key personnel losses:
WR Demarcus Ayers, LT Alex Cooper, RT Carter Wall, DE Tomme Mark, LB Elandon Roberts, CB William Jackson III, S Trevon Stewart, S Adrian McDonald
2016’s best players:
QB Greg Ward, RB Brandon Wilson, WR Steven Dunbar, WR Chance Allen, LB Steven Taylor, LS Tyus Bowser, LB Matthew Adams
Toughest 3 games:
Oklahoma (neutral site, Sept. 3), at Memphis (TBD), Louisville (Nov. 19)
Quick take:
Houston shocked many by going 13-1 and beating Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, but they’re poised for an even bigger encore in 2016. Greg Ward is back to lead a high-powered offense that ranked 12th in the country last season, and head coach Tom Herman has brought in a top 25 recruiting class to give the Cougars even more depth. Houston will try to go undefeated and potentially crash the playoff in 2016, but they’re almost a lock to play in a New Year’s Six bowl.
Key personnel losses:
LB Reggie Northrup, DB Jalen Ramsey, FS Lamarcus Brutus, K Robert Aguayo
2016’s best players:
QB Sean Maguire, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Travis Rudolph, WR Kermit Whitfield, DE DeMarcus Walker, SS Derwin James
Toughest 3 games:
Ole Miss (Sept. 5th), Clemson (Date TBA) Florida (Nov. 26th)
Quick take:
Florida State returns almost everyone from a 10-3 team that was only a few plays away from a College Football Playoff appearance. Cook will be a Heisman front-runner, but Maguire will determine how far FSU goes next season. The QB will be a senior and he must play better.
Key personnel losses:
QB Connor Cook, WR Aaron Burbridge, OT Jack Conklin, OC Jack Allen, DE Shilique Calhoun, LB Darien Harris
2016’s best players:
QB Tyler O’Connor, RB L.J. Scott, RB Madre London, WR L.J. Shelton, LB Riley Bullough, S Montae Nicholson, S Demetrius Cox
Toughest 3 games:
at Notre Dame (Sept. 17th), Michigan (Oct. 29th), Ohio State (Nov. 19th)
Quick take:
The Spartans lose Connor Cook and several future NFL players, but they’ll be just fine next year. They found a way to beat OSU without Cook and the defense will once again be a good unit. The running game will carry the team in most games, as Scott and London are young, talented runners.
8. Baylor Bears
Key personnel losses:
WR Corey Coleman, WR Jay Lee, LT Spencer Drango, DE Shawn Oakman, NT Andrew Billings
2016’s best players:
QB Seth Russell, RB Shock Linwood, LB Taylor Young
Toughest 3 games:
Oklahoma State (September 24th), TCU (November 5th), at Oklahoma (November 12th)
Quick take:
Seth Russell’s return from injury will keep the Baylor offense chugging, although it’s going to take a Herculean effort to replace Corey Coleman on the outside. However, the real quest for Baylor’s coaching staff in 2016 is the loss of Shawn Oakman and Andrew Billings on the defensive line. Baylor’s going to score points, but their championship hopes will hinge on patching up their starting unit on the defensive front.
Key personnel losses:
QB Jake Rudock, WR Jehu Chesson, MLB Desmond Morgan, MLB Joe Bolden
2016’s best players:
RB De’Veon Smith, WR Amara Darboh, TE Jake Butt, DT Chris Wormley, CB Jourdan Lewis, S Jabrill Peppers
Toughest 3 games:
at Michigan State (Oct. 29th), at Iowa (Nov. 12th), at Ohio State (Nov. 26th)
Quick take:
The Wolverines return nearly everyone from a 10-3 season. Jim Harbaugh will have the entire team playing even better next season and Michigan is going to be a dangerous squad. QB play will be critical and the Wolverines will need to pick a starter. Houston transfer John O’Korn is the tentative favorite to win the position battle.
Key personnel losses:
RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Jalin Marshall, WR Michael Thomas, WR Braxton Miller, OT Taylor Decker, DE Joey Bosa, DE Adolphus Washington, LB Darron Lee, LB Joshua Perry, CB Eli Apple, S Vonn Bell
2016’s best players:
QB J.T. Barrett, RB Bri’onte Dunn, RB/WR Curtis Samuel, LB Raekwon McMillan, DE Tyquan Lewis, DE Sam Hubbard
Toughest 3 games:
at Oklahoma (Sept. 17th), at Michigan State (Nov. 19th), Michigan (Dec. 3rd)
Quick take:
Make no mistake, the Buckeyes lose a TON of talent. But Urban Meyer has recruited as well as any coach since arriving in Columbus and there’s plenty of talent ready to fill-in. For the first time in a long time, Meyer might actually get to use the underdog card. The Buckeyes are going to be a serious threat once again.
Key personnel losses:
QB Kevin Hogan, TE Austin Hooper, WR Devon Cajuste, LT Kyle Murphy, LG Joshua Garnett, LB Blake Martinez, DE Aziz Shittu
2016’s best players:
RB Christian McCaffrey, LB Peter Kalambayi, SS Dallas Lloyd
Toughest 3 games:
at UCLA (September 24th), at Notre Dame (October 15th), at Oregon (November 12th)
Quick take:
The battle to replace QB Kevin Hogan will dominate the offseason headlines, and a killer road schedule next year is scary with the offensive turnover this squad will have. However, RB Christian McCaffrey is still an offensive freak show and Heisman candidate, and the defense has blue-chip youngsters to spare with Blake Martinez and Aziz Shittu headed for the pros. The Cardinal will continue to play field position and run McCaffrey in every situation they possibly can think of -- a winning formula that will have Stanford back in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Key personnel losses:
WR Sterling Shepard, DE/OB Eric Striker, DE Charles Tapper, LB Dominique Alexander, CB Zack Sanchez
2016’s best players:
QB Baker Mayfield, RB Samaje Perine, LB Jordan Evans, S Ahmad Thomas
Toughest 3 games:
Ohio State (September 17th), at TCU (October 1st), Baylor (November 12th)
Quick take:
The Striker/Tapper/Alexander trio posted 35 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks in 2015, so Oklahoma’s CFP hopes hinge on reloading in the front seven and trying to approximate their production. However, the offense will once again be in fantastic shape, as Baker Mayfield and Samaje Perine represent the best returning QB/RB duo in the nation. An early-season home game against Ohio State will be the litmus test for the Sooners’ run at a second straight playoff berth.
Key personnel losses:
RB Derrick Henry, RB Kenyan Drake, QB Jacob Coker, DT A’Shawn Robinson, LB Reggie Ragland, LB Dillon Lee, CB Cyrus Jones, DL Jarran Reed, C Ryan Kelly
2016’s best players:
WR Calvin Ridley, WR ArDarius Stewart, TE O.J. Howard, QB Cooper Bateman, RB Bo Scarbrough, CB Minkah Fitzpartick, CB Marlon Humphrey
Toughest 3 games:
at Ole Miss (Sept. 17), at Tennessee (Oct. 15), at LSU (Nov. 5)
Quick take:
Yes, Alabama is losing a lot of talent and star power, but they do that every year. Head coach Nick Saban has a new group of players that are ready to step in and become big-time impact players, headlined by wideout Calvin Ridley and cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. Expect the Tide to be one of the nation’s top teams again in 2016.
Key personnel losses:
RB C.J. Prosise, WR Will Fuller, OT Ronnie Stanley, LB Jaylon Smith, LB Joe Schmidt, CB KeiVarae Russell
2016’s best players:
QB Malik Zaire, QB DeShone Kizer, RB Tarean Folston, RB Josh Adams, WR Corey Robinson, WR Torii Hunter Jr., LB Nyles Morgan, CB Cole Luke, S Max Redfield
Toughest 3 games:
Michigan State (Sept. 15th), Stanford (Oct. 15th), at USC (Nov. 26th)
Quick take:
Notre Dame loses some great talent, but the team was hit so hard by injuries that it will feel like the team is getting than it is losing. Notre Dame has two starting-quality QBs and several skill position players that can produce big plays. If Notre Dame can just stay healthy, the Fighting Irish will be in position for a playoff berth.
Key personnel losses:
DE Shaq Lawson, LB Travis Blanks, WR Charone Peake, RT Joe Gore, DT D.J. Reader, LB Travis Blanks, LB B.J. Goodson
2016’s best players:
QB Deshaun Watson, RB Wayne Gallman, WR Artavis Scott, TE Jordan Leggett, LB Ben Boulware, CB Mackensie Alexander, S Jayron Kearse
Toughest 3 games:
at Auburn (Sept. 3), at Florida State (TBD), Louisville (TBD)
Quick take:
Clemson will be one of the top teams in the country again next year behind the play of Watson, who will be one of the two Heisman frontrunners next season, along with Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey. There are big names that the Tigers will have to replace on the defensive side of the ball, but their offense will be one of the best in the country again.