We are just days away from the start of the 2021 college football season. If you think I won’t sit my happy ass on the couch watching Nebraska vs. Illinois and Hawai’i vs. UCLA on Saturday, you are sadly mistaken. ‘Tis the season. So, we’ll release our own Top 25 next week, but let’s have some fun today. It’s an annual tradition here on SoBros Network – let’s talk about some of the College Football Playoff dark horses. These are teams that could spoil the seasons of some of the favorites, and end up stealing a playoff spot from them. And, yeah – these are in alphabetical order, by the way, before someone bitches at me. LFG!
Dark Horse College Football Playoff Contenders (2021)
Arizona State Sun Devils – It’s Year 4 under Herm Edwards, and the Sun Devils have some real pieces on both sides of the ball, namely play-making quarterback Jayden Daniels. Oregon and USC seem to be the presumptive favorites in the Pac-12, but Arizona State can make things interesting, and if a few dominoes on the other side of the country fall a certain way, they could find themselves pushing for one of the four playoff spots as the best team Edwards has had yet in Tempe.
Cincinnati Bearcats – I know, I know – it’s virtually impossible for a Group of Five team to make the CFP, but this Cincinnati team is going to be loaded with talent. Desmond Ridder is a future NFL quarterback, and Luke Fickell has done a tremendous job in building this program up. They’ll need some help, but if they handle their business this season, they could be in the conversation come December.
Iowa State Cyclones – It’s hard to imagine anyone beating Oklahoma with the roll that Lincoln Riley has been on, and figuring that the Sooners have another premier quarterback that’ll be in contention for the Heisman and the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft next spring. But, if anyone’s going to do it, it’s this Iowa State team. They may be the only thing standing in between Oklahoma and an undefeated season with this combination of Breece Hall at running back and Brock Purdy at quarterback. Could this finally be the year the Cyclones break through and win the Big 12?
Kentucky Wildcats – I think the Georgia Bulldogs are the best team in the country heading into 2021. I don’t imagine them having much trouble with the SEC East, which is wide open behind them. But, what if Kentucky can upset Georgia and win the SEC East this year? I expect they’ll be a pretty good defense and will be good running the ball again, but if the changes they made to spark the passing game work, they could be a complete and explosive team. The talent is there for Mark Stoops to make the CFP conversation interesting if all goes according to plan. Is this my biggest reach? Maybe. But, I’m telling y’all – don’t sleep on the Wildcats this year.
Miami Hurricanes – What a year to get Alabama in the season opener. Outside of the Tide, the schedule sets up nicely for a real run at the ACC title this season. If D’Eriq King is back and healthy, he’s a Heisman contender, and this Canes team is talented and deep enough to play itself into a contender.
North Carolina Tar Heels – The Tar Heels lost a lot of talent at the skill positions, but they still have a guy in Sam Howell who is being considered among the top echelon of quarterbacks for next year’s NFL Draft. Ty Chandler coming in from Tennessee will help keep that run game on track, and this should be another offense that is fun to watch. Factor in the depth on defense, and this is a team that could push Clemson for the ACC title.
Ole Miss Rebels – Yeah, I said it. Everyone’s talking about Alabama and Texas A&M, and rightfully so, but don’t count out this Ole Miss squad just yet. This looks like it could be a banner year for the program. Lane Kiffin has an explosive offensive unit – that’s what she said – led by Matt Corral, who just may be the best quarterback in the conference. They’ll be able to score with anyone, so who knows? A couple stops on defense could mean Ole Miss getting to the SEC Championship.
College Football Season Previews
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Auburn Tigers
- Florida Gators
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Kentucky Wildcats
- LSU Tigers
- Memphis Tigers
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Missouri Tigers
- MTSU Blue Raiders
- Ole Miss Rebels
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Vanderbilt Commodores
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
