SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide addresses the media during the Head Coach Press Conference for the College Football Playoff National Championship at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn on January 10, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Sporting News' way-too-early 2017 rankings has a non-playoff team at No. 2

It's never too early to start dreaming about next season.

Until Alabama loses, the Crimson Tide should remain on just about every publisher's top spot.

But the rest of the top 25 is very much up for grabs, and Sporting News took the full opportunity to add a stunner at No. 2, putting USC above playoff teams Clemson and Ohio State (No. 2 and No. 3 respectively) and No. 5 Florida State.

Sporting News uses Sam Darnold's epic 453-yard performance against Penn State in the Rose Bowl, where he threw for five touchdowns and one interception.

USC was certainly impressive, but better than other top powers who have proven big-time wins (with the exception of Ohio State) seems a bit overboard.

It's never too early to start dreaming about next season, and Darnold and Co. have the Trojans dreaming about a College Football Playoff appearance.