ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 After Signing Day

by Staff Reporter

February 9, 20168 Comments

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN writer Mark Schlabach released his 2016 Way-Too-Early Top 25 now that National Signing Day wrapped up last week and has LSU ranked No. 6. Here is what he had to say about the Tigers heading into 2016:

quote:
6. LSU Tigers

2015 record: 9-3, 5-3 SEC
Returning starters: 9 offense, 9 defense, 1 special teams

Key losses: OT Vadal Alexander, LB Lamar Louis, LB Deion Jones, FS Jalen Mills, OT Jerald Hawkins

Outlook: Stop me if you've heard this question before: Does LSU have a quarterback that is capable of consistently throwing the ball? If the Tigers can upgrade their passing game, they might be one of the top four teams in the country. If not, tailback Leonard Fournette figures to have a sore back again by season's end. LSU coach Les Miles' uncertain job security didn't seem to affect the Tigers on the recruiting trail. They signed the No. 3 class, and 19 of their 23 signees were ESPN 300 selections. Even more important, Miles lured Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to LSU. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said he's also staying.

2016 Way-Too-Early Top 25:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Florida State Seminoles
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Baylor Bears
5. Clemson Tigers
6. LSU Tigers
7. Oklahoma Sooners
8. Stanford Cardinal
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
10. Ohio State Buckeyes
11. Houston Cougars
12. Tennessee Volunteers
13. Ole Miss Rebels
14. Michigan State Spartans
15. TCU Horned Frogs
16. USC Trojans
17. Iowa Hawkeyes
18. North Carolina Tar Heels
19. Georgia Bulldogs
20. Oregon Ducks
21. UCLA Bruins
22. Oklahoma State Cowboys
23. Washington Huskies
24. Florida Gators
25. Boise State Broncos

Filed Under: LSU Football

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Datbayoubengal•98 months

@Accardo

You have to look at what they are losing. While that offense is just filthy nasty, that defense will again have to replace a shite ton of talent, even more than the previous year. They will have three likely 1st round defensive players and likely 4-5 top 2 round defensive players gone from that defense. They recruit very well but not Bama level. To replace that amount of talent two years in a row is a huge change for anybody.

Accardo44•98 months

Clemson should be preseason #1 with all they have returning. That's a "no brainier."

Datbayoubengal•98 months

Michigan is a top 5 team. That offense is set as John O'Korn, who had 3100 yards and 28 TDs as a freshman All American at Houston, is most likely the starter with a loaded returning offense, plus the #2 RB in this year's class. The defense is going to be as good or better than last year.

Baylor is too high. I don't consider them a top 5 team especially after losing 3 starters off their DL in an already bad defense.

Bama
FSU
Michigan
Oklahoma/Clemson
LSU

atltiger6487•98 months

"Michigan way to high in my opinion. Give them about a year or two and maybe they will be top 5"

No - I'm buying into Harbaugh, and they had a top 5 national recruiting class. Lost their first game in a close one at Utah, then a fluky game to Mich. St., and got blown out by Ohio State. Pounded Florida in the bowl. I think Michigan is going to be very good this year, and for all years that Harbaugh is there, although his act seems to wear thin after a few years.

themunch•98 months

Bama sessed

cattus•98 months

Bama too low

UnAnon•98 months

Baylor over Clemson???????

DhanTigers212•98 months

Michigan way to high in my opinion. Give them about a year or two and maybe they will be top 5

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