College Football Playoff: 2015 Dark Horse Conference Champion Contenders

Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Arizona State players hold up the Hyundai Sun Bowl Trophy after winning the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Sun Devils defeated the Blue Devils 36-31. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12 – Arizona State Sun Devils

The Pac-12 is another conference that could be considered wide open this year. Oregon has lost Marcus Mariota as well as a number of other key players. They still return a lot of talent, but could be primed to fall from the top.

The Sun Devils looked like they were beginning to put it together in 2014, and with a lot of returning players, including leading rusher D.J. Foster and senior quarterback Mike Bercovici, Arizona State may be in that “reloading” catogery.

But unlike some of the previously discussed teams, ASU’s schedule could end up being their undoing as a dark horse candidate. Early in the season the Sun Devils play USC and UCLA back-to-back, and then have to face both Oregon and rival Arizona later in the year – that’s all on top of starting the season against SEC contender Texas A&M.

Todd Graham got a lot out of his players last season, and if the momentum continues, the Sun Devils will be right there in the thick of the Pac-12 race.

Next: SEC