College Football Playoff: 5 dark horse teams who can make Playoff
By Gabe Encinas
Oct 31, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal celebrate a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cardinal won 30-28. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford was preseason ranked 21st, and lost in week one on the road to a fairly decent Northwestern team. They weren’t ranked again until the start of week four, after they went to Los Angeles and took down USC, ranked No. 6 at the time.
Now, sitting at 7-1, they have a two game lead over Oregon in the Pac-12 North, and are in the drivers seat to ultimately win the conference. Ranked 11th in the first College Football Playoff poll, they’re a team that not too many people are talking about.
Since their lost win in week one, they’ve picked up the offense, led by Kevin Hogan and Christian McCaffrey, scoring 30+ points in every win. The Pac-12 is a tough conference, and their remaining schedule doesn’t seem rough, but they could realistically drop a game to Oregon or California.
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Colorado should give the Cardinal no problem, although they’ve been surprisingly competitive thus far. Oregon’s defense might not match up well against Stanford, and this could be another 40+ point outburst for this offense. And then California for the Big Game, at Stanford Stadium. Cal has hit a road block, and it’s uncertain if the Golden Bears can bounce back from the brutal schedule.
But then Stanford will get a big test to end the season, Notre Dame. A roster loaded with NFL talent, that could be fighting for a playoff spot of their own. When it comes down to it, I think Stanford pulls this one off, and heads to the Pac-12 Championship Game with an 11-1 record.
Anything can happen, but I think Utah will hold onto their Pac-12 South lead, and fend off USC. There’s still a very real possibility of the Trojans taking over, but their early losses might be too hard to overcome. Stanford is the clear power of the Pac-12, and a win over any Pac-12 South opponent should be enough to close to case.
This is a team that will out work you on the field, led by one of the greatest minds in college football. There should be no doubt that if Stanford wins out, they should make their way into the playoffs.