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15 biggest college football storylines to watch in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Can a Group of Five team crack the College Football Playoff field?

The College Football Playoff has been an interesting spectacle since its debut in 2015. While the top teams typically come from the Power Five conferences, will any team outside of the Power Five finally be able to crack the field in 2017?

The Western Michigan Broncos came closest to the playoff field after receiving a Cotton Bowl bid to face off with the Wisconsin Badgers last season. They fell short in the bowl game, losing 24-16 but were competitive nonetheless.

The South Florida Bulls hired former Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong. Strong inherits a team that returns 16 total starters in the American Conference and defeated SEC foe South Carolina 46-39 in the Birmingham Bowl.

Quarterback Quinton Flowers and the Bulls could surprise some teams next season. After all, they won 10 games last season, a school record, and return a bulk of their 2016 production.

It could be tough for the Bulls to force their way into the College Football Playoff field with their weak out-of-conference schedule, but anything is possible.

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