Is Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey one of 2016's top-three Heisman Trophy candidates? Not according to "Campus Insiders," which leads with McCaffrey's name only to leave him off its list.

McCaffrey broke Barry Sanders 27-year-old record for all-purpose yards in a single season and finished second in 2015 Heisman Trophy voting -- some would say controversially -- behind Alabama running back Derrick Henry.

Christian McCaffrey had 2,019 yards rushing, 645 yards receiving and 1,200 return yards last season. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

So who ranks ahead of McCaffrey? LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook.

Hmm.

Well, reserve your outrage because this take is justifiable in one significant way -- if you subscribe to the Heisman being reduced to the "Best Player on the Best Team" award.

It's almost certain that Clemson, Florida State and LSU will be ranked ahead of Stanford in preseason polls. In fact, Mark Schlabach does just that in his most recent "Way-Too-Early Top 25."

Further, there's a connection to these candidates being listed ahead of McCaffrey and potential national ranking: offensive experience surrounding said Heisman contenders. Clemson welcomes back eight starters on offense. Florida State has all 11 coming back. LSU will surround Fournette with nine returning starters.

Stanford? It's rebuilding on offense with just six starters returning. Most important, McCaffrey won't have a four-year starter at quarterback handing and throwing him the ball like he did with Kevin Hogan last season. He also will be working behind a rebuilding offensive line. If defense is relevant here in terms of the Cardinal's ultimate prospects, Stanford has questions there, too -- particularly with its front seven.

While the Cardinal has arrived as a "reload not rebuild" team -- see a No. 8 ranking with Schlabach -- it doesn't figure to be widely viewed as a national title contender until the new starters distinguish themselves as A-list players.

That said, it's likely that just about every Heisman Trophy watch list will include McCaffrey near if not at the top. Why? Because he's so darn good.

As far as ranking Pac-12 running backs, he tops the list.