Predicting College Football's Offensive, Defensive Juggernauts for 2016
Seemingly unstoppable units arise every year in college football, and the 2016 season will feature several dominant offenses and defenses.
On the scoring side, a handful of teams will showcase versatile and explosive attacks that have no trouble putting up points. Offensive success doesn't always translate to wins, but it's a positive start.
Conversely, the nation's best defenses will demand the spotlight, keeping opponents off the scoreboard and sometimes even atoning for a mediocre offense.
The list—which is organized alphabetically by school—includes five offensive and five defensive units.
Defense: Alabama
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Boring? Perhaps. But Alabama has boasted a top-10 defense seven times in the last eight years.
Dominance? Indeed.
Jeremy Pruitt steps in for Kirby Smart, so the Crimson Tide shouldn't experience much of a drop-off at coordinator. Pruitt guided the nation's No. 7 unit in 2015 and No. 3 defense in 2013 at Florida State.
And there's no shortage of talent.
In the front seven, 'Bama will build a rotation that includes Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne, Dalvin Tomlinson, Da'Shawn Hand, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Shaun Dion Hamilton. The Tide will find snaps for their 5-stars if needed.
Marlon Humphrey and Minkah Fitzpatrick highlight a young but experienced secondary. Eddie Jackson—a two-year starter and three-year contributor—is the veteran of the group.
Offense: Clemson
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Clemson displayed the nation's No. 11 offense in 2015, averaging 38.5 points and breaking a few records along the way.
Deshaun Watson became the first quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards and run for 1,000 more. Wayne Gallman set the program's single-season rushing mark.
Yet the Tigers should be even better this season.
Mike Williams caught 57 passes for 1,030 yards two years ago but essentially missed the entire 2015 season due to a neck injury. Artavis Scott has consecutive 900-yard campaigns. Jordan Leggett caught eight touchdowns last year. The list goes on.
Clemson has seven proven targets on the outside who will complement the backfield combination of Watson and Gallman wonderfully.
Defense: Florida State
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Containing Clemson's dynamic offense will likely take an elite defense. You'll find one in ACC Atlantic Division rival Florida State.
The defensive line will carry the 'Noles, especially if Josh Sweat is completely healthy. DeMarcus Walker passed on the NFL, and Derrick Nnadi Jr. returns after opening 13 games in the middle.
Derwin James is expected to contribute up front in specific packages, though the standout safety is the secondary's best piece. Marquez White, Trey Marshall, Nate Andrews and Tarvarus McFadden will probably start alongside James.
On paper, Florida State's defense is capable of containing Clemson, and we'll find out the answer on Oct. 29. But otherwise, good luck scoring on the Seminoles.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Offense: Houston
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During his first season at Houston, Tom Herman turned an average offense into a must-watch unit. The second year should only be more exciting with Greg Ward Jr. behind center.
A converted wide receiver, Ward is quick to rely on his legs. But Herman has catered to that strength, focusing on high-percentage passes and using that speed. In 2015, Ward scored 38 total touchdowns—21 on the ground.
Though the departure of Demarcus Ayers Jr. hurts, the Cougars are in good shape at the skill positions. Chance Allen and Steven Dunbar return, while Big 12 transfers Duke Catalon and Ra'Shaad Samples will be available after sitting out one season.
Ward's health is paramount, but Houston should meet little resistance in the AAC. The biggest question is whether or not the Cougars are capable of upsetting Oklahoma.
Defense: Michigan
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Under defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, Michigan basically relied on four rushers. The unit still earned a No. 4 ranking nationally, trailing only Boston College, Wisconsin and Alabama.
Durkin's replacement, however, brings an attacking mentality. Oh, and Don Brown comes from Boston College.
Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton are a formidable combination at defensive end, while Ryan Glasgow and Maurice Hurst Jr. were quietly effective last season. Bryan Mone returns from an injury that sidelined him in 2015. Heralded recruit Rashan Gary joins the mix, too.
Jabrill Peppers shifted from nickelback/safety to linebacker, and lockdown cornerback Jourdan Lewis highlights a secondary that returns five key contributors—and doesn't include Peppers.
Anything below a top-10 finish from the Wolverines would be stunning.
Offense: Oklahoma State
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The offense will score. Can the defense stop anyone?
Mason Rudolph may eventually be considered the breakout star of 2016, because his touchdown numbers are certain to spike. The simple truth is that he's already the driving force of a powerful attack. J.W. Walsh stole the shiny numbers.
Oklahoma State had the No. 22 offense last year, and Rudolph was one of 19 quarterback to average 290 yards per game. He threw just nine interceptions in 424 attempts. Walsh had 21 red-zone scores.
Although the offense was relatively one-dimensional, development up front should bring better results in 2016. After all, the Pokes are loaded at receiver with James Washington, Marcell Ateman, Jhajuan Seales and Jalen McCleskey, among others.
Rudolph will keep Oklahoma State in every game, but the performance of the defense will determine Big 12 contention.
Defense: San Diego State
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San Diego State may have the best chance of all Football Bowl Subdivision teams to record an undefeated season.
But while Donnel Pumphrey is an underrated star at running back, the Aztecs defense is loaded. Three first-team All-Mountain West honorees—Alex Barrett, Calvin Munson and Damontae Kazee—return to guide a unit that finished No. 5 nationally last year.
Led by Munson, seven of San Diego State's top nine tacklers are back. Plus, Kazee and Malik Smith combined for 13 interceptions.
"We want to win every game," Munson said, per USA Today's Paul Myerberg. "We want to win a Mountain West championship again."
With a solid offense complementing this outstanding defense, both achievements are legitimate possibilities.
Offense: Texas Tech
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Texas Tech is basically Oklahoma State with fewer questions on defense—as in, we know the Red Raiders can't stop anyone.
But man, Kliff Kingsbury's offense is fun.
Patrick Mahomes II completed 63.5 percent of his 573 pass attempts, amassing 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback added 456 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Significant production is expected from JUCO transfer Derrick Willies, while Devin Lauderdale, Ian Sadler and Reginald Davis return after catching at least 38 passes each. Dylan Cantrell, Cameron Batson, Tony Brown, Zach Austin and Jonathan Giles give Tech absurd depth.
Justin Stockton—though somewhat predictable—is an absolute blazer out of the backfield. Kingsbury said Stockton will be "the guy" this year, per Don Wiliams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
If you love scoring, Texas Tech will be the perfect team to watch.
Offense: Washington State
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As long as Luke Falk is healthy enough to run Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, Washington State will make sure scoreboard operators are earning their pay.
"Leach gets a lot of the credit—and he should, because he's Mike Leach," standout receiver Gabe Marks said, according to Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune. "[But] Luke is the reason why this started working. Without a quarterback that people will follow as a leader, you can't win."
In 2015, the Cougars averaged a pedestrian 31.5 points. That number should rise, considering Wazzu returns Falk, three offensive linemen, seven of the top eight receivers and all three notable running backs.
What we're eager to discover is whether the high-powered attack is enough to overthrow Stanford and Oregon in the Pac-12 North Division.
Defense: Wisconsin
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Once a rising star in the coaching world, Justin Wilcox encountered some struggles with USC. The coordinator inherits a perennially dominant unit at Wisconsin, which was No. 2 last year.
The front seven will serve as the driving force of the defense. Six starters return, including T.J. Edwards (84 tackles), Vince Biegel (14 tackles for loss) and Jack Cichy (60 tackles).
In the secondary, Sojourn Shelton is a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention at corner and a three-year starter. Both Derrick Tindal and Natrell Jamerson have contributed in sub-packages.
Although the Badgers desperately need safeties to emerge and replace Tanner McEvoy and Michael Caputo, D'Cota Dixon is a promising option, while Leo Musso has 38 career appearances.
Dave Aranda's departure stings, but Wisconsin shouldn't regress much with Wilcox on the headset.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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