Five Dark-Horse College Football Teams to Watch Out For in 2016
By Loot, NCAA Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Every season, there are a small group of candidates that everyone looks at as the most likely contenders in college football. These teams are hardly a secret, as many of them showed how good they were last season or they are just the traditionally more-favored teams in the sport. But nearly every season, there will be at least one surprise team that can throw a wrench into everyone's plans. We all know teams like Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson will be at the top of the list, but what other team can perhaps sneak in there and have a special season? We selected a small handful of teams—dark-horses who may represent great betting value in the 2016-17 season.
Wisconsin Badgers: Wisconsin won ten games last season, including a bowl win against USC. Paul Chryst, who returns a lot of talent and in his second season at the helm, should see more of his recruits and systematic changes take effect. It won't be easy for the Badgers, who will be tested heavily right from the get-go with a season-opener against LSU, followed by week 5 and 6 road tests at Michigan State and Michigan, followed immediately by a home game against Ohio State. Granted, they would have to be firing on all cylinders and need QB Bart Houston, RB Corey Clement, and others to be at their best, but they will have ample spots to make their imprint.
Houston Cougars: With a bowl win over Florida State ending their 2015 season, the Cougars enter 2016 with a nice head of steam. Only a bizarre and perplexing 3-point loss to Connecticut prevented the Cougars from having a perfect season last year. QB Greg Ward, Jr. was one of only two quarterbacks in the nation last year to throw for at least 2000 yards and run for 1000 yards and he returns. Texas transfer Duke Catalon looks to make a major impact at running back. Coach Tom Herman is a rising commodity in the coaching ranks and could see a boost in his second season. Some interesting transfers and JC recruits could also make a big contribution. The secondary will need major revamping and they will need to open strongly with game one coming against Oklahoma. They're certainly a team worth watching.
Auburn Tigers: The Tigers needed to win a bowl game just to get to 7-6 on the season in 2015. But if trying to time an upsurge, this season might be a good spot for Auburn and Gus Malzahn to recapture the magic of a few seasons ago. Maybe this season, they can live up to the hype. They get their first five games at home, including key games against Clemson and LSU. If they can get a on a roll, they could be in the mix late in the season, with a regular-season finale against Alabama being a really big game. They will need some stars to line up with the quarterback position unsettled. And the receiving corps and offensive line will need some players to over-perform. New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele inherits a talented defense that could be the team's strong suit. If the "D" can keep this team in games while the offense finds its bearings, Auburn could be a surprise.
Washington State Cougars: Last season saw a spike in the Cougars' status within the Pac-12 Conference, as they became a legitimate factor for the first time in years. A 9-4 season could give way to special things for this Mike Leach-led bunch this season. In a deep conference, there should be ample spots for the Cougs to make an impression. Quarterback Luke Falk should continue to put up Tecmo Bowl stats and have this offense in good stead. They mix it up at running back with a three-headed monster and they get most of their ball-catching talent back, including one of the Pac-12's top receivers in Gabe Marks. It's not going to be easy with the depth of their schedule, but Washington State could be tough to stop this season.
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North Carolina Tar Heels: The Tar Heels impressed in 2015. They lost their first and last game of the regular season, but in between that, they won 11 straight games. Mitch Tribusky fell a bit short in earning the starting gig the past two seasons to Marquise Williams, but he pushed the departed starter both seasons and should rise to the occasion this season. This is show-time for highly-regarded receiver Bug Howard, who hasn't really impressed up to now. And anyone who saw Baylor stick this "D" for 645 yards on the ground in the Russell Athletic Bowl game knows the Heels need a boost in run-defense. But a small upsurge isn't out of the question with a handful of prospects that are due to come around. The schedule looks manageable and you can't rule the Tar Heels out this season.
