8 Dark Horse College Football Playoff Teams

It’s back to school season across the country as thousands of college students return to campus. Bookstores are filled with students purchasing over-priced text books they will use once, orientation leaders are setting up booths around campus to help the young freshman and Fraternity and Sorority members are looking for their newest members. Among these time old ‘back to school traditions’ comes the faint smell of hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, students and alumni donning their schools colors and even some of the craziest students are camping out on the Quad. And that can only mean one beautiful thing, college football is BACK!

The start of college football is one of the most exciting times in all of sports as teams such as Alabama and Ohio State look to maintain their high level of success while teams such as USC and Penn State look to take that next step towards contending for a National Championship. Even smaller schools like USF and Houston look to become the Latest ‘Boise State’ and become a Dark Horse candidate for a New Year’s Six Bowl Game. With so many changes in starting line-ups and coaching staffs it’s hard to know which teams have a shot to contend from year to year so I present my Dark Horse College Playoff Teams.

1. Oklahoma State

Top 25 Ranking: 10

Toughest Game: vs Oklahoma

Oklahoma State has long been one of the most consistent programs in recent years. The Cowboys have gone 104-50 under current head coach Mike Gundy and have finished with at least 10 wins in Five of the last Seven seasons. The Cowboys finished 2016 with 10 wins and were in Playoff contention heading into the final week of the season despite a loss to Central Michigan which was a result of an officiating mistake. Oklahoma State will be led by Quarterback Mason Rudolph who was recently named a Top 25 player by Bleacher Report. If Rudolph can live up to expectations and the Cowboys can win their November 4th matchup against Oklahoma, as well as get past West Virginia and Texas, don’t be surprised if Mike Gundy has his team, and his mullet, in the College Football Playoffs.

2. Utah

Top 25 Ranking: N/A

Toughest Game: At USC

Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham showed he is ready to win now when he chose Sophmore Quarterback Tyler Huntley to be the new starter for the Utes over Senior Captain, and last year’s starter, Troy Williams. Whittingham maintained that the starting quarterback job was open throughout Spring and Fall camps and in the end felt as if Huntley gave the Utes the best cjance to win. Utah fans are hoping that Huntley can pair well with new Offensive Cordinator Troy Taylor and help Utah take the next step toward Championship contention after proving they can compete against the tough competition in the PAC-12 that features powerhouses such as USC and Washington. Utah will face off against both USC and Washington on the road in 2017 but victories against both teams as well as Washington State and Stanford should be enough to elevate the Utes into Playoff contention.

3. Louisville:

Top 25 Ranking: 16

Toughest Game: vs Clemson

Who can forget the PHENOMENAL season that Louisville QB Lamar Jackson had in 2016 that culminated with the Heisman Trophy. The good news? Jackson returns to lead a team that spent a large part of the season in playoff contention. The bad news? Both Louisville and Jackson ended 2016 on a downward slide losing their final three games. So the question looming over a Louisville team that starts the season ranked 16th is which team can Cardinals fan expect to see in 2017? Will it be the Louisville team that defeated a top 5 Florida State team by 43 points? Or will it be the Louisville team that lost to in-state rival Kentucky at home? If it’s the former then expect to see Louisville in the Playoff discussion throughout the season.

4. Virginia Tech

Top 25 Ranking: 21

Toughest Game: vs Clemson

Virginia Tech has been one of the great mysteries of college football over the past few season. After remaining extremely competitive in the early 2000’s with Michael Vick and shortly after followed up by Tyrod Taylor. Recently, however, the Hokies have struggled to maintain a consistent level of success only reaching double digit wins in one of the past five seasons after having 8 seasons in a row in which the team won double digit games. But things are looking up for a Hokies team coming off of their first double digit win season since 2011. The Hokies face a tough schedule against teams such as West Virginia, Clemson, Miami and UNC but if Virginia Tech can come out of their brutal schedule with a 0 in their loss coloumn then don’t be surprised to see the Hokies playing for a spot in the National Championship.

5. Washington State

Top 25 Ranking: 24

Toughest Game: At Washington

If there’s one thing we can expect from this Washington State team it’s that they will be throwing the ball all over the field and rack up 500 passing yards per game. The last thing we can expect from this Washington State team is that their season will play out according to expectations. The Cougars are coming off of a season in which they beat Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, Cal and Arizona (by 62!!!). They are also coming off of a season in which the lost to Minnesotta, Boise St and Eastern Washington. There’s no doubt that QB Luke Faulk will put up big numbers but there is some doubt if Faulk and this Washington State team can run the tables. But don’t be surprised if Washington State emerges from a very competitive PAC-12 conference.

6. Houston

Top 25 Ranking: N/A

Toughest Game: At South Florida

Yes, Houston is preparing for a future without former head coach Todd Herman who is now at Texas. Yes, Houston will have a new QB under center. Yes, Houston has yet to determine who that new QB will be. And yes, Houston has an extremely easy schedule. But it’s that exact reason for why Houston is a dark horse candidate for the college football playoff. Normally a team with an easy schedule has a difficult shot at convincing the Playoff Committee they are worthy of a playoff spot. However, if a Houston team with a new coach and a new QB can roll through their competition in a convincing way then the Playoff Committee will have to look long and hard at the Houston Cougars especially if it comes down to an undefeated Houston team and a potential two-loss Penn State team.

7. South Florida

Top 25 Ranking: 19

Toughest Game: vs Houston

South Florida, for the time being, is the only non-Power Five team ranked in the Top 25 and new coach Charlie Strong looks to keep it that way. The American Conference has a history of churning out competitive teams year after year whether it’s Houston, Memphis or UCF, and South Florida will be no exception. The 19th ranked Bulls are led by QB Quinten Flowers and are the only team in the country who are favored in every game they play in. Despite being favored to go undefeated, the Bulls face the same problem as Houston, they don’t have a very difficult schedule. However, if the Bulls can go undefeated, and in the process put up impressive numbers, they might have an outside chance of being chosen by the Playoff Committee as one of four teams with a shot to play in the National Championship.

(The Bulls are currently 1-0 following a 42-22 victory over San Jose State on 8-26-17)

8. Texas

Top 25 Ranking: 23

Toughest Game: At USC

Don’t get me wrong, Texas is far from returning to the same level as dominance as they once were. But if there’s one thing that voters love, it’s Texas football. Despite finishing the 2016 season at 5-7 the Longhorns start the season ranked 23 and the reason for their high ranking is in part due to new coach Todd Herman. Herman joins the Longhorns after building Houston into a dominant team in the American Conference and now he looks to build Texas back into a national powerhouse. Herman is looking to change the culture of Texas football after the Longhorns have struggled to win consistently over the past several years. Texas will face a tough road to the Playoffs as they face five Top 25 teams including a trip to Los Angeles to take on USC. But if somehow Todd Herman can lead Texas to an undefeated season, or even a one-loss season, the Longhorns could very well find themselves in Playoff contention.