Congratulations to Alabama on winning the second national championship of the College Football Playoff era. The Crimson Tide got a spirited effort from a game Clemson team but ultimately were able to prevail 45-40. It’s Bama’s fourth national title under head coach Nick Saban.
With the 2015 season now in the rear view mirror, it’s time to shift focus towards what to expect in 2016. One can never get too early of a head start on prognosticating which teams will have what it takes to contend for a title in a year’s time. After all, another season of college football will be upon us faster than you think.
Which teams that were in the thick of the hunt for a CFP spot in 2015 will remain relevant next season? Are there any teams in danger of falling off a bit after contending last season? Will there be a lesser heralded team capable of crashing the Playoff party to keep an eye on?
This season’s two CFP finalists are expected to pick up where they left off with both Alabama and Clemson coming in at one-two. Oklahoma, who fell to Clemson in the semifinals, also return a plethora of talent and appear to be in good shape to make a repeat appearance in the Playoff. And with Christian McCaffrey expected to be a Heisman Trophy favorite, will 2016 finally be the year Stanford makes the last four?
Of the teams in this poll, Oklahoma State seems to be the one that most of our voters our torn on. Five have the Cowboys in the top ten while another four didn’t even vote them into the top 25. It will be interesting to see how the Pokes fare after finishing as Big 12 runner up in 2015 and returning key playmakers next year.
With more than eight months until college football fans fill up stadiums across the nation on Saturdays once more, there’s plenty of time to debate and discuss. Let this be one of the first entries into the fray. Which programs do we have figuring prominently in the national title discussion come 2016?
Find out below!
LWOS Way Too Early 2016 Preseason Top 25
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