RELATED: Here's Kirk Herbstreit's way-to-early top 5.
ESPN released their preseason Football Power Index (FPI) for 2016 a few days ago, and the team currently at No. 1 is a big surprise: LSU.
Regardless of whether or not the Tigers will actually play in 2016 due to budget problems, it is interesting that a team that finished with three losses in 2015 is suddenly on the top of their ratings. Florida State follows the Tigers at No. 2, with Oklahoma rounding out the Top 3.
Perhaps more interesting is that, not only is Alabama not No. 1, but the Crimson Tide aren't even in the Top 5. Alabama is ranked at No. 6, coming in behind LSU and Tennessee in terms of SEC squads. Ole Miss and Georgia rank in at No. 7 and No. 9, respectively, to complete an SEC plurality in the Top 10.
Other surprises near the top include Louisville ranking in at No. 12 despite a five-loss season in 2015. Ditto for Washington, except they actually had six losses. Ohio State was not ranked in the Top 15, placing at No. 17.
Below is the full Top 15 in ESPN's preseason FPI. We are sure it will change over the next several months, but for the time being, here's what they've got:
1. LSU
2. Florida State
3. Oklahoma
4. Clemson
5. Tennessee
6. Alabama
7. Ole Miss
8. USC
9. Georgia
10. Oklahoma State
11. Michigan
12. Louisville
13. Washington
14. Texas A&M
15. Notre Dame
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