College Football Teams Most Likely to Remain Undefeated in 2016
Winning the college football national championship is a program's ultimate goal, and stringing together an undefeated season almost guarantees that opportunity for power-conference teams.
Group of Five schools almost positively require an unblemished record to receive consideration for a chance, but together, the two factions of the Football Bowl Subdivision offer several programs with zero-loss potential.
Heading into Week 4 of the campaign, 37 teams have not yet dropped a contest. Conference play is about to begin, however, so the number will reduce dramatically—and quickly. We're highlighting a group of schools with the best chance to remain unbeaten.
The program listed on the final slide has the best chance to stay undefeated throughout the 2016 season.
Washington Huskies
1 of 10
So far, the Washington hype train is an enjoyable ride. Three games against outmatched opponents, three blowouts.
The competition level is about to intensify, though. After a road trip to Arizona, the Huskies host Stanford on a Friday night (Sept. 30), followed by a jaunt to Oregon (Oct. 8). Those two games should provide all the lessons required about Chris Petersen's team.
Sophomore duo Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin lead Washington's efficient offense, while the defense has a respectable line to complement a stellar secondary. We know there's talent, but we're not sure how the Huskies will respond to the bigger tests.
If Washington manages to upend Stanford and Oregon, the final potential stumbling points are Utah, USC and rival Washington State. But getting through the first two won't be easy.
Stanford Cardinal
2 of 10
Stanford deserves to be the Pac-12 favorite, but the road to an undefeated record is arduous. Each of the team's four toughest remaining contests are away from Palo Alto.
Beginning in Week 4 at UCLA, the Cardinal encounter a brutal four-game stretch. After the inter-division tilt, they travel to Washington, host Washington State (Oct. 8) and hit the road for Notre Dame (Oct. 15). Conference rival Oregon looms on Nov. 12.
Now, Christian McCaffrey is the ultimate weapon. As long as he's healthy, Stanford has an incomparable playmaker.
But is he enough for a 12-0 season? While it's within reason, settling for a Pac-12 title wouldn't be a failure.
Michigan Wolverines
3 of 10
Michigan waltzed through its first two nonconference games, then recovered from a slow start against Colorado, eventually blowing out the Pac-12 opponent for a 3-0 record.
Jim Harbaugh's team has climbed to No. 4 nationally, and it's unlikely the Wolverines fall anytime soon. After welcoming Penn State and an offensively challenged Wisconsin club, Michigan takes on Rutgers and Illinois. The 7-0 expectation continues.
Now, the schedule is back-loaded. Michigan travels to Michigan State (Oct. 29) and Ohio State (Nov. 26), and a trip to Iowa (Nov. 12) shouldn't be overlooked despite the Hawkeyes' loss to North Dakota State.
Few teams boast better talent on defense than the Wolverines, who have allowed the 19th-fewest points without a full-strength unit. If they're to win every game, the defense must carry a formidable offense that will likely struggle to run the ball against top teams.
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Boise State Broncos
4 of 10
These guys again? You bet.
Boise State flew under the radar throughout the offseason, and Bryan Harsin's team still isn't involved in the national discussion.
After a resounding win over Louisiana-Lafayette and a close victory against Washington State, the Broncos remain unranked. They received the fourth-most votes of programs outside the Top 25.
Strength of schedule will not help Boise State in a College Football Playoff discussion, considering its final nonconference games are Oregon State (Sept. 24) and BYU (Oct. 20).
But a 12-0 regular season is realistic, particularly because the Broncos avoid both San Diego State and Nevada in crossover games. Boise State hosts Utah State (Oct. 1) and Colorado State (Oct. 15) but travels to Air Force (Nov. 25).
Houston Cougars
5 of 10
For some, Houston seemed like a neat story. Oklahoma would put Tom Herman's rising program back in its place, right? Wrong. The season-opening win only brought H-Town further into the spotlight.
Though the Cougars defense successfully limited Baker Mayfield, if Houston advances through conference play without a loss, another major test awaits: Lamar Jackson and Louisville.
Houston clipped the Cardinals 34-31 on the road last season, but Jackson was just a true freshman learning a complex college offense while sharing quarterback duties with Kyle Bolin. That matchup may as well have been a decade ago.
The possibility of 10-0 entering Nov. 17 is absolutely realistic if dual-threat quarterback Greg Ward Jr. stays healthy. A home victory over Louisville would shove the Cougars from the fringe and squarely into the playoff discussion.
While that could be the toughest game Houston will have faced under Herman, the head coach has proved he shouldn't be doubted.
Clemson Tigers
6 of 10
After two sluggish performances and one anticipated blowout for Clemson, the college football world was waiting on a breakout performance. Thursday's win over Georgia Tech provided a promising sign during the first half.
The Tigers are officially out of time to shake the mini-slump, though, since they host Louisville on Oct. 1.
But Clemson then faces a favorable slate other than heading to Florida State on Oct. 29. While a season-ending rivalry game against South Carolina is unpredictable, the remainder of the Tigers' ACC schedule is against mid-level teams.
If the offensive chemistry and production continue beyond Thursday night, Clemson will be the dangerous team we expected.
Louisville Cardinals
7 of 10
Through three weeks, Jackson and the Cardinals have wrecked everything in their sight. Louisville has skyrocketed from 19th in the preseason poll to third, which ties a program high.
So, the primary question is how the entire team can stay even close to this extraordinary level of effectiveness. There will be a drop-off from averaging 65 points, and it'll affect the defense, too.
But after traveling to Clemson, is there any ACC opponent that will stop the Cardinals? Probably not. Road trips to Virginia (Oct. 29) and Boston College (Nov. 5) aren't daunting, while home foes Duke (Oct. 14) and North Carolina State (Oct. 22) are average at best.
The Thursday night clash at Houston (Nov. 17) would be the final major obstacle before the ACC Championship Game, for which Louisville would be the favorite no matter the opponent.
San Diego State Aztecs
8 of 10
San Diego State held off a late charge from Pac-12 adversary Cal and topped perennial MAC power Northern Illinois on the road. At least on paper—yes, games are won on the field—few remaining teams pose a serious challenge to the Aztecs.
Although the team is likely unfamiliar, there are a few names worth knowing. Donnel Pumphrey is probably the best running back you've never heard of, Damontae Kazee is an absolute ballhawk at corner and Calvin Munson is a reliable, imposing linebacker.
Rocky Long's squad must overcome Utah State (Oct. 28) and Nevada (Nov. 12) on the road, but the rest of San Diego State's conference schedule is manageable.
The Aztecs wouldn't face Boise State until the Mountain West Football Championship Game—and that title matchup could feature a pair of undefeated teams.
Ohio State Buckeyes
9 of 10
Despite massive turnover on the roster, Ohio State figured to at least be a Big Ten contender. But this? This was not expected.
Thanks to years of elite recruiting and a couple key returning players on both sides, Urban Meyer and his staff have kept the Buckeyes near the pinnacle of the sport, trailing only Alabama in the polls.
Ohio State controlled Oklahoma on the road, and the 2016 team must get comfortable away from home. The Buckeyes travel to Wisconsin (Oct. 15), Penn State (Oct. 22) and Michigan State (Nov. 19) during a stretch that also holds Northwestern (Oct. 29) and Nebraska (Nov. 5).
If Meyer's club can navigate that stretch unblemished, a showdown with Michigan awaits on Nov. 26. But that clash is in Columbus, where Ohio State hasn't fallen to its rival since 2000.
Alabama Crimson Tide
10 of 10
Now that Alabama has dispatched Ole Miss—no matter that a 21-point comeback was necessary—Nick Saban and Co. could be racing toward the program's first undefeated season since 2009.
"If the Rebels—a team that has had success against Alabama—couldn't beat the Crimson Tide under the craziest of conditions," Aaron Torres of Fox Sports wrote, "what chance does anyone else have?"
Several challenging opponents remain, but Saban's squad will likely be favored in each game. The Tide host Texas A&M (Oct. 22) and rival Auburn (Nov. 26), and they travel to Arkansas (Oct. 8), Tennessee (Oct. 15) and LSU (Nov. 5).
There was a chance 2016 would be a down year for Alabama—you know, like two losses. But just three weeks into the season, it looks like business as usual in Tuscaloosa.
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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