Andrew Grimes | St. Petersburg College
Every year the preseason polls are released and the chatter for the CFP begins. Along with all the CFP talk there is also conversations about teams who either get too much hype or teams who don’t get enough. And every year it seems like there is the same few teams who get very little mention about being a legit threat in the country. Much like fat women, these teams deserve some love too and I will show some today.
The three teams who are flying under the radar for the CFP.
Honorable mention: Penn State
After what happened at Penn State with the Sandusky incident, it was hard to imagine the Nittany Lions being relevant for a while. So seeing what Franklin has done at Penn State after what happened has been nothing short of a miracle. Last year was the year where they showed the world they are relevant. They took down the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes and brought them their first Big 10 championship since 2008. Then they took USC down to the wire in the Rose Bowl and showed they can compete with anyone. While I don’t really think they are under the radar they still get overshadowed from the media by other conference opponents like Ohio State and Michigan. Nevertheless, they should be in contention for a title this year.
3) Oklahoma State
2016: 10-3 (2nd)
2015: 10-3 (3rd)
2014: 7-6 (7th)
2013: 10-3 (3rd)
2012: 8-5 (3rd)
2011: 12-1 (1st)
2010: 11-2 (2nd)
Of the three teams on this list I believe Oklahoma State has the best chance of making the CFP. Most years Oklahoma State usually has two teams standing in their way of a Big 12 title as well as a potential CFP birth, Oklahoma and either between Baylor or TCU–depending on the year. They really don’t have to worry about Baylor for a while, and TCU seems to be heading the wrong direction. As for Oklahoma, they just went through a coaching change–and a pretty big one too. Despite finding themselves in either second or third in the Big 12, they also find themselves high up on the rankings towards the end of the season. Since 2010, they have had three Top 15 finishes. With a relatively weak schedule and a chance at beating Oklahoma, I think there is a real possibility you could see Oklahoma State competing for a CFP championship.
2) Wisconsin
2016: 11-3 (1st)
2015: 10-3 (3rd)
2014: 11-3 (1st)
2013: 9-4 (2nd)
2012: 8-6 (2nd)
2011: 11-3 (1st)
2010: 11-2 (2nd)
2009: 10-3 (4th)
Next up is the Badgers, who consistently fly under the radar. The Badgers constantly find themselves in first or second in the division, despite being in the same conference as powerhouse teams like: Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. Since 2009 they have been in four Big 10 Championship games, winning two of them and having a co-champion awarded to them in 2010. Not only that, but have also finished in the Top 10 three times since 2009 as well. While it is hard to see them as flying under the radar ranking ninth, they don’t get nearly as much media attention. Wisconsin has been one of the consistent teams in the country with one of the most effective ground attacks. As well as being one of the best scoring defenses around the country in recent history. They took Penn State down to the wire in the Big 10 Championship and beat Western Michigan, who was undefeated at the time. With a less grueling regular season we might be able to see the Badgers not only compete for conference title, but a championship title.
1) Stanford
2016: 10-3 (3rd)
2015: 12-2 (1st)
2014: 8-5 (2nd)
2013: 11-3 (1st)
2012: 12-2 (1st)
2011: 11-2 (2nd)
2010: 12-1 (2nd)
The only way to describe Stanford is that they are the smart and nerdy girl in those ‘90s classics where by the end of the movie people realize she is actually very pretty and all the jocks want in. Only once since 2010 Stanford has not won 10 or more games. In that same time they have won three PAC 12 championships and finished no worse than 3rd in the division. Not only that but they have finished below 12th in the final rankings once, and finished in the Top 7 on four separate occasions. They have one of the best coaches in college football who will always bring the best out his teams and will always have them in the hunt for the title. Unlike the other teams on this list they have a few challenges ahead of them this season. Playing tough opponents like USC, Washington, and potentially Oregon. Even though they seem to have the toughest road, they are probably the team most likely to prevail.