Offseason natty on fleek

dnc said:

Phil Steele's 13 biggest CFB surprise teams for 2016

Almost any College Football Playoff projection for 2016 starts with last year's finalists, Alabama and Clemson.

But what are the teams that could stun the college football universe and make a playoff run?

Here are my 13 biggest potential surprise teams for 2016 -- plus a bonus long-shot pick.

1. Washington Huskies

Florida State was my No. 1 surprise team in 2013 and the Seminoles won the national title. Washington is coming off a 7-6 season. The Huskies were very young last year (nine returning starters, No. 107 on my experience ratings chart). They had a true freshman QB and a tough schedule. They got a key road win over a ranked USC and later won the Apple Cup to get to six wins. This year they are much more experienced with 15 returning starters. They lose only six lettermen off a defense that allowed 18.8 points per game in 2015. Wide receiver John Ross is their most explosive playmaker and he returns after missing 2015 with an injury. They have a 1,000-yard rusher in Myles Gaskin, a QB with experience and a veteran offensive line. They are a complete team with my No. 19-rated special-teams unit. Husky Stadium is one of the loudest venues in the country and they have seven home games this year, including Stanford and USC. Coaches usually hit their stride in Year 3 with three recruiting classes, their systems and philosophies firmly implemented. Chris Petersen is an excellent on-field coach with an overall record of 107-24, and the Huskies' schedule drops from my fifth-toughest slate in 2015 to No. 56 this year. They are my pick to win the rugged Pac-12 North and that gives them a great shot at getting into the 2016 playoff.