ESPN Releases Way-Too-Early Top 25 For 2016

Now that the 2015-2016 College Football season has come to an end, ESPN writer Mark Schlabach released his Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2016 and pegged LSU at No. 7.

The Tigers will be returning many key players on offense and defense and running back Leonard Fournette is expected to be a top Heisman candidate in 2016. LSU will also play important SEC games in November against Alabama and Ole Miss at home in Tiger Stadium.

Here is what Schlabach has to say about the Tigers in 2016:

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7. 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: After surviving an attempted coup, Tigers coach Les Miles probably knows his team is going to have to challenge Alabama in the SEC West if he's going to keep his job. He took a big step in doing that by hiring Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Miles also seems intent on keeping offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, even after the Tigers ranked 111th in the FBS in passing yards (173.1) and 57th in scoring (30.7). Of course, having Leonard Fournette gives LSU a chance to beat anybody it plays. The Tigers will open 2016 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, and they'll play home games against Ole Miss and Alabama.

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