Now we all know this is way too early but since it is the off season, the lines between news and opinion tend to get skewed this time of year. Besides that, they do have tOSU as #1 so it's kind of hard to argue with that, at least here @11W...

So here's how this one goes:

Ohio State is projected as the best team in college football in 2017, per ESPN's Football Power Index.

Alabama is No. 2 in the FPI, Oklahoma is No. 3, Florida State is No. 4 and Auburn is No. 5.

Other teams from the Big Ten in the top 25 are: No. 8 Penn State, No. 10 Wisconsin and No. 18 Michigan.

That's not to say we're talking about tOSU being the pre-season #1 or anything of that nature but here's how they come to their #1 ranking:

"Entering his sixth season as head coach at Ohio State, Urban Meyer is returning eight offensive starters, including quarterback J.T. Barrett. The Buckeyes are returning seven starters to a defense that finished last season ranked second in defensive efficiency. Meyer again added depth to the team with a top-10 recruiting class for the fifth straight year."

And here is an explanation on how the Football Power Index is measured:

"(FPI) is an automated ranking intended to measure team strength going forward. It is not a ranking of who will have the highest win total (which is dependent on schedule) or who is most likely to make the College Football Playoff.

"The model comprises four major components: the last four seasons of performance on offense, defense and special teams, with the most recent season counting most; information on offensive and defensive returning starters, with special consideration given to a team returning its starting quarterback or gaining a transfer quarterback with experience; a four-year average recruiting ranking of four systems (ESPN, Scouts, Rivals and Phil Steele); and head coaching tenure."

 

There are certainly a number of valid points when we look at UFM and his tenure in Columbus. 2017 will definitely have a different flavor than 2016 based purely on the number of returning starters on both side of the ball.

Like it or not, having JT at QB will be a plus, even if you prefer his moniker "Weenie Arm" he's still a guy who knows the system and has the trust of the coaching staff. There are some holes to fill on both sides of the ball for sure but the 2017 recruiting classes is by no means short on (5 star) talent and promises to ease the transition to some extent.

Here's the clip that accompanies the article and has Dave Biddle of 247Sports join Nick Kostos to break down some of the notable recruits from Ohio State's 2017 class including five 5-stars as well as a link for the full read.

All things being equal, I know we like to give ESPN a fair amount of well deserved grief but how can you not like a FPI that has PSU and Wiscy in the top ten and ranked above TTUN at #18?!?

Now can we get to April 15th already, I'm ready for some Spring ball?!?