The Buckeyes’ superb recruiting efforts will come in handy for a team set for fairly substantial changes on both sides of the ball.
With so many other positions loaded with skill and experience, FSU needs a healthy and consistent Maguire to reach its full potential. The only great concern for the Seminoles is quarterback play, especially with likely starter Sean Maguire set to miss spring drills following surgery on his injured ankle.
In a crowded top of the Big 12 Conference, the Bears seem the safest bet. Another season in his unique system will yield an even stronger, deeper, tougher and more physical team, and one that will be right in the mix for the national championship.Ī spot in the Playoff is just a matter of time for Baylor, which might lose some important pieces on both the offensive and defensive line - led by Spencer Drango and Shawn Oakman - yet will again house the nation’s most dynamic offense. There’s no reason to think Michigan won’t be capable of making this climb in the follow-up to Harbaugh’s successful debut. Alabama will reload across the board, with the only concerns over another competition at quarterback and the change at defensive coordinator from Kirby Smart to Jeremy Pruitt. Alabama (2015 record: 14-1)Īnother year, another push for the national title. There remains enough in place for Clemson to defend its Atlantic Coast Conference title and complete another unbeaten regular season. The Tigers have a few holes to fill on defense, especially with several would-be senior starters contemplating the NFL draft. Rounding out the top five are Michigan, which is ready to take an enormous leap forward in Jim Harbaugh’s second season Baylor, thanks in large part to the return of quarterback Seth Russell from injury and Florida State, with the Seminoles poised to rebound from a somewhat underwhelming 2015 season and challenge for the College Football Playoff. In what has become a familiar refrain, Alabama has more than enough talent and depth to weather a number of personnel losses on both sides of the ball. The Tigers will return quarterback Deshaun Watson, an early Heisman Trophy favorite, along with the majority of an offense that ranked among the best in program history. With both teams set to reload during the offseason, there’s reason to believe the Tigers and Crimson Tide will do it again next year.Ĭlemson and Alabama top the USA TODAY Sports early top 25 for the 2016 season. On Monday night in Glendale, Ariz., Clemson and Alabama met to decide college football's national championship. No.6 Ohio State, No.14 Washington and No.17 Iowa are all favored by more than 25 points.Watch Video: NCAA football look ahead: Who wins it all in 2016? 1, giving Charlotte 39.5 points in their opener. No.19 Louisville is nearly as big of a favorite on Thursday, Sept. The game’s result will likely affect next week’s point spread, but as of now, Hawaii is more than a 40-point underdog for their visit to Michigan, who begins the season on Sept. They’ll meet in Sydney, Australia, where the Rainbow Warriors are getting 20 points.
Hawaii and California are set to officially open the season on Friday night as the only game on the schedule in the final weekend of August. The Crimson Tide are more than 10-point favorites in their toughest non-conference game, but most ranked teams are much bigger favorites on the first weekend. The biggest game on opening weekend is set for Saturday, Sept. Many of the teams ranked in the top 25 are overwhelming favorites, though a few begin the year with tough matchups. The 2016 college football season is right around the corner, and there are already betting lines for the first weekend of games.