None of these other 10 dynasties won more than four national titles in a decade. A fifth for the Tide would put them past all comparators. And Alabama, fresh off its sixth straight No. 1 recruiting class, is the 2016 season's favorite, according to the oddsmakers and the advanced stats. Thus, from a historical perspective, the immediate future poses two interesting questions:
1- Can Saban's Alabama become the greatest dynasty in the modern history of the sport?
2- Is Urban Meyer -- with three national titles at two schools and two additional unbeaten seasons in a 12-year stretch -- creating a competing dynasty in Columbus? Ohio State's SRS ratings in the last two years have been above 20, i.e., dynasty levels. We could be on the cusp of that rarest of college football phenomena: competing dynasties.
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rbr opIt's hard to place a value on Nick Saban, honestly. One more national title in the next three years would cement his Alabama run as the greatest in college football history. Something tells me he already knows this.

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For instance, last year there were 26 teams that returned 16 starters or more, including their QB. Of those 26 teams, 19 had a better record in 2015 than they did in 2014. Five had the same record, and only two of the 26 had a weaker record.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there were 17 teams that returned 11 or fewer starters that did not have a returning starter at QB. Of those 17 teams, only two had a better record (Alabama was one of them). Of the 17 least experienced teams, 14 had a weaker record in 2015 than they did in 2014 and one had the same.
With all that in mind, the numbers listed below provide a good window into what to expect in 2016. I broke them down first by overall ranking -- Louisville and LSU are looking good and Ohio State is ... not -- and then by conference.
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While these numbers are often misleading where Alabama is concerned - guys likeShaun Dion Hamilton, Jonathan Allen, Ronnie Harrison, and Da'Shawn Hand don't count despite starring in significant playing time - Steele once again highlights the pressure on Les Miles. LSU is tied for first in the nation in returning starters while Alabama is tied for 98th. By all rights, this should be the year for him to slay the Alabama beast.

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At Alabama? The fans are demonstrably more engaged. Average attendance has shot up from 10,177 last year to 12,863 this season. Coleman Coliseum, capacity 15,316, is sold out for Saturday’s visit from Mississippi State. That’s the fifth sellout of the year, the first time the Tide has sold out that many games in a season since 2006-07. Avery Johnson is the difference. The underwhelming backup plan might have been the least-exciting hire in the SEC last year, but he’s having the fastest impact.
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rbr opAvery is getting all sorts of well-deserved love right now. As mentioned in this piece, he was hardly a splashy hire. In fact, the announcement came with a heavy dose of skepticism from many Alabama fans who wondered how the Little General would transition to the college game and particularly in the area of recruiting. Questions answered.

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3. Alabama vs. Clemson
Why schedule it? Another rule for my scheduling philosophy: Any thrilling national championship game must produce a rematch within two years. Sure,Deshaun Watson may be gone by 2017. But any chance to watch elite programs with contrasting styles is worth seeing again. Clemson and Auburn are playing again in 2016 and 2017, meaning they will play six times over 11 years. Clemson and Auburn are going to play each other more frequently than they play some conference opponents. Clemson has the wrong opponent from Alabama. There are only so many times you can say Clemson is Auburn with a lake.
Added bonus: Put the first game of this two-year series in Tuscaloosa so Dabo Swinney experiences the uncomfortable feeling of returning home. Turnabout is fair play since Nick Saban looked uncomfortable at the national championship press conference as an afterthought to Swinney.
Double added bonus: If Swinney is coaching Alabama in 2017, he gets to face the program he resurrected from mediocrity. Plus, Swinney can sell his trademarked "Bring Your Own Guts" memorabilia to two fan bases.
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Saban was an afterthought to Swinney, eh? Who knew? In any case, the writer would also like to see us stomp the Fighting Harbaughs.

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How Schedule Impacts SEC East-sds

We take a look at how divisional cross-over games affect the SEC East in the long run

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Alabama-Florida 2017 recruiting battle already underway-sds

• SDS top 10
• Alabama's new WR claims new number
• Dobbs chooses football over baseball
• Missouri QB unveils next landing spot
• Steele projects AP Top 10 for '16
• Report: LSU loses key recruiting cog
• Video of Chubb sprinting
• Odell Beckham's cousin eyeing NFL
• SEC WRs more than just Ridley, Kirk
• UGA lands big WR commit
• Hogs RB sends message to NFL teams

Marshall might be a year away from another run-sbnation

2003's Big 12 in 2015 = LOL

Good morning! This is the Read Option, your daily college football newsletter.

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