Who is your darkhorse team who will contend for the playoff

[VFL1995]

For me I'm gonna have to go with USC. 10 returning starters on offense, I think Max Browne will fill in well for Kessler. The top 2 rushers return in Ronald Jones and Justin Davis. Almost everyone in the WR corps returns. All 5 starters on the O-Line return. The defense could be an issue but playing in the Pac-12 offense reigns supreme. They only return 5 players on defense but that will be boosted with Adoree' Jackson, Iman Marshall and Cameron Smith returning, so I don't think the defense will be as big an issue as many think. In my opinion the 2 biggest things that could derail them are the defensive line, where they have no starters returning and the schedule. Opening with Alabama is obviously a tough game, Week 3 and 4 at Stanford and Utah. The last 4 games of the season are BRUTAL, Oregon, @ Washington, @ UCLA and Notre Dame. I think if they go 3-1 in that stretch they should have the Pac-12 south title. If they can navigate their schedule with 1 loss and win the Pac-12 title game they're a lock for the playoff. I think they drop at least 2 games though, that could possibly give them an outside shot at the Playoffs if they win the Pac-12 title and some other games go their way. Due to their schedule I don't think they'll make the Playoffs but if they do it won't surprise me.

 

[trojanfan12]

For me I'm gonna have to go with USC. 10 returning starters on offense, I think Max Browne will fill in well for Kessler. The top 2 rushers return in Ronald Jones and Justin Davis. Almost everyone in the WR corps returns. All 5 starters on the O-Line return. The defense could be an issue but playing in the Pac-12 offense reigns supreme. They only return 5 players on defense but that will be boosted with Adoree' Jackson, Iman Marshall and Cameron Smith returning, so I don't think the defense will be as big an issue as many think. In my opinion the 2 biggest things that could derail them are the defensive line, where they have no starters returning and the schedule. Opening with Alabama is obviously a tough game, Week 3 and 4 at Stanford and Utah. The last 4 games of the season are BRUTAL, Oregon, @ Washington, @ UCLA and Notre Dame. I think if they go 3-1 in that stretch they should have the Pac-12 south title. If they can navigate their schedule with 1 loss and win the Pac-12 title game they're a lock for the playoff. I think they drop at least 2 games though, that could possibly give them an outside shot at the Playoffs if they win the Pac-12 title and some other games go their way. Due to their schedule I don't think they'll make the Playoffs but if they do it won't surprise me.

USC is a year away. We have the talent, but lack the experience necessary at key positions. New starting QB (who some are saying may not be the starter the entire season) and an all new defensive line.

I agree those last 4 games are brutal, but the first four are no cakewalk either. We start with Alabama, Utah St., Stanford and Utah.

 

[theSabanator20]

Arkansas and Louisville. They both will have solid defenses, and favorable schedules as far as home and away games go. Both have a premiere OOC game that will keep them in the conversation. I could see both having a great year.

 

[WestEndVol]

Okrahoma Steak

 

[WestEndVol]

Okrahoma Steak

^^^

just my drank prediction so don't take it too seriously.

 

[4down20]

USC is a year away. We have the talent, but lack the experience necessary at key positions. New starting QB (who some are saying may not be the starter the entire season) and an all new defensive line.

I agree those last 4 games are brutal, but the first four are no cakewalk either. We start with Alabama, Utah St., Stanford and Utah.

Most national championships get won with 1st year QB's.

 

[RegentDenali]

If the PAC does send a team, I would call Washington or Stanford.

Notre Dame could get in.

 

[Across The Field]

Arkansas and Louisville. They both will have solid defenses, and favorable schedules as far as home and away games go. Both have a premiere OOC game that will keep them in the conversation. I could see both having a great year.

It would be a bad look if either of those teams made it in for the SEC/ACC.

Bama/LSU/Ole Miss/Tenn are significantly more talented than Arkansas, especially on offense with everything Arkansas lost. Same goes with FSU/Clemson and Louisville.

 

[Eco]

Screw it -- I'll say Texas.

 

[Deep Creek]

Utah...just pulling one out of my ass.

 

[BTHOtu]

next year is our year

 

[Shanemansj13]

Most national championships get won with 1st year QB's.

1st year starters?

 

[uncfan103]

Most national championships get won with 1st year QB's.

Then I guess my dark horse pick of North Carolina isn't that ridiculous.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Stanford

 

[outofyourmind]

Michigan
Texas
Georgia

 

[Eco]

1st year starters?

2015 Alabama (1st year starter)
2014 Ohio State (1st year starter)
2013 FSU (1st year starter)
2011 Alabama (1st year starter)
2010 Aubu*n (1st year thug)

 

[4down20]

1st year starters?

Yes, you have to go back to Tim Tebow in 2008 to find a national championship that didn't come with a 1st year starter, unless you count AJ McCarron who won back to back after winning it his 1st year and 2nd year. But, he came up short in his 3rd year.

 

[4down20]

Then I guess my dark horse pick of North Carolina isn't that ridiculous.

It's extremely ridiculous.

 

[uncfan103]

It's extremely ridiculous.

Nah, we play Florida state. Our odds are as good as any other dark horse. Doesn't mean they're good, but if we run the table or lose one game we're probably in.

 

[Codaxx]

2015 Alabama (1st year starter)
2014 Ohio State (1st year starter)
2013 FSU (1st year starter)
2011 Alabama (1st year starter)
2010 Aubu*n (1st year thug)

lot more history than the last 5 years. The prior 50 would argue for experience at QB. It a nice little run, but the theory flies in the face of logic.