ESPN has been steadily releasing rankings from its Football Power Index (FPI), where they are using the stat to help project the 2016 college football season. Earlier this week, they ranked the top defenses and now, they gave us who FPI projects to be the top offenses in 2016.
The No. 1 team on the list? Florida State.
"Florida State returns all 11 offensive starters to a unit that has ranked in the top 25 in efficiency each of the last four years," said ESPN's Sharon Katz on the Seminoles.
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Yes, Florida State really does return its entire starting unit on offense, including Heisman-hopeful running back Dalvin Cook. If Cook can stay healthy, Florida State could make a run at the College Football Playoff.
The biggest competition for Florida State is Clemson, of course. Clemson is coming off of an appearance in the College Football Playoff title game, and they will have quarterback Deshaun Watson back at the helm of the offense. Watson threw for over 4,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 in 2015, making Clemson a prolific offense just by himself. As a whole, though, FPI rates Clemson as the No. 2 projected offense for 2016.
The biggest surprise in ESPN's Top 10 has to be LSU, as the FPI places them at No. 5. The SEC West powerhouse does have running back Leonard Fournette in the back, but the Tigers have enormous problems at the quarterback position. As for now, No. 5 seems extremely high for them.
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Florida State, LSU, Clemson, and Oklahoma all made FPI's Top 10 for offense and defense, with Ole Miss, Michigan, Louisville, Tennessee, and Georgia registering in the Top 20 on both lists. Considering that your national title contenders are generally great on both sides of the field, this is a good indicator of which teams should be competing for the Playoff in 2016.
You can view ESPN's rankings of offenses by FPI here. (Insider Only)
