While the College Football Playoff committee likely got it wrong this season by allowing mediocre Washington and Ohio State into the final four, their mistake should give hope to every 2018 national championship dark horse that they can rise up and ‘shock the world’ and reach the final four as well.
Thanks to this look at my top underdog selections to win the National Championship, you could cash in big on one of these title hopefuls. Let’s get started.
In Depth Analysis On The 2018 College Football Championship Dark Horses
Kansas State 50-1
The Wildcats have one of the best head coaches in all of college football in the beloved Bill Snyder, but I believe they’re fighting an uphill battle in the Big 12 next season.
Florida 50-1
The Gators have defense, but will they improve an offense that was akin to watching paint dry this season?
Tennessee 50-1
The Vols are perennial underachievers, but they’ve got plenty of elite talent on their roster, even if they haven’t been able to put it all together under head coach Butch Jones.
UCLA 50-1
UCLA is another team that gets its share of elite high schoolers, but the Bruins keep underachieving at the worst possible moment. Will they finally be able to keep it together next season? My guess right now is…no.
Miami 60-1
The Hurricanes have an elite quarterback in Brad Kaaya and if they improve a defense that was mediocre at best this season, Miami could surprise.
Wisconsin 60-1
I’m a bit stunned the Badgers are this low on the odds list, but I like Wisconsin’s chances of contending next season thanks to the continued maturation of quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
West Virginia 60-1
The Mountaineers don’t get the national respect they deserve, but they’re perennial title contenders who will have a chance again in 2018.
Notre Dame 60-1
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish need to know who their starting quarterback will be next season. Until that happens, I don’t see them bouncing back from their horrific 2016 campaign right away.
TCU 80-1
The Horned Frogs have a ‘super gifted’ freshman quarterback coming in next season that I believe could start right away – and put Gary Patterson’s squad back on the national map.
Washington State 80-1
The Cougars need to improve their uninspiring defense but put points on the board like nobody’s business in 2016 under offensive-minded head coach Mike Leach.
Stanford 80-1
Losing superstar Christian McCaffery is a big blow, but the Cardinal will be a bit more experienced next season and head coach David Shaw is as good as any coach in the country if you ask me.
