ESPN Unveils First 2016 College Football Power Rankings

I don't get it either. While they still have JT Barrett, this situation is eerily similar to the 2010 Florida team that made him quit. Lose a ton of guys to the NFL then even with talent on top of talent (1st, 6th, 7th, 1st in recruiting composite ranking from 2007-2010), lose 5 games. Ohio State fans will stupidly say, "but this is the same thing that happened going into the 2014 season". Nope. They returned 12 starters in 2014, which is twice as many as they return in 2016. LSU yearly only returns about 12-13 starters and returning 4-5 extra this year is a HUGE deal. While I don't think they will be that bad as 2010 Florida for a couple reasons (schedule and bringing back JT), I do expect them to lose 3 regular season games this year.

Makes sense haha

It happens because Bama plays team ball under a team concept. One player is not the most important. Auburn has to have an elite qb to win. Bamas qb just needs to hit 10yd outs and curls. Saban builds in the team concept to eliminate falling off after losing any player. That's not a team, that's a program. A machine.

Ole Miss? Florida?

You seriously think they deliberately left the rest of LSU's schedule outside of the top 10 so that a completely different committee can keep us out of the top 4??? Wow, football season needs to start soon.

I'll buy it. They went into last year with a QB who learned a Jimbo offense in 3 weeks after losing heisman winner, #1 overall, and rookie MVP Winston. They lost the ACC #1 WR and FSU receiving leading in many categories. They lost 4 of 5 OL (all four were All-ACC), and Dalvin Cook was injury prone all year. They lost two DL (both 2nd rounders) and both corners (2nd and 3rd rounder). Outside of the shitty last play loss vs GT, they had a decent year. In 2016 they bring back all 11 offensive starters, but IMO, redshirt freshman Francois was going to be the starter regardless of the injury to the returning QB. I mean this team was gutted the last 3 years with 11, 7, and 11 players drafted respectively, so that's not even counting UDFA or just other seniors graduating. Defense looks good bringing back 8 starters including most of DL and rotating guys, OLB, and most of secondary and rotating guys. Think of them like LSU is thought of with their returning talent and experience.