5 Dark Horse Teams that Could be the Next Colorado in 2017

It is hard to believe right now, but at the midway point of the 2016 season Arizona State was 5-1, breaking records along the way, and the Sun Devils looked like a contender in the Pac-12 South. Then one injury after another tested the depth of the third-greenest team in the nation according to Phil Steele. Scrambling to fill the quarterback position, the Sun Devils eventually were forced to go deep into their depth chart as one after another player went down. It is no wonder that Arizona State proceeded to drop their last six games of the season to miss out on bowl eligibility.

But all that experience gained by young players thrown to the fire could benefit the Sun Devils next season. They take on Texas Tech once again, a game that could have far greater impact in 2017 than it ultimately did this season. They also play two-time defending Mountain West champion San Diego State, another boost to their schedule strength. Combined with a tough nine-game Pac-12 slate, Arizona State will play a strong schedule next season. If the talent that gained experience in 2016 comes together, the ingredients are in place for Todd Graham’s team to make a dark horse run at the Pac-12 South.