College Football: 5 Surprise teams that could contend for a New Year’s Six Bowl

4. Memphis Tigers

In its short history, the College Football Playoff has seen a team from the Group of Five conferences make a New Year’s Six Bowl in all four seasons. And in 2018 we should see this trend continue. There are multiple teams that could fil this at-large bid but the team to look out for is the Memphis Tigers.

The Tigers finished the 2017 season 10-3 (7-1 AAC), in which they had a big non-conference win over UCLA and suffered two of their three losses to undefeated UCF. With the departure of Coach Frost, the only thing standing in the Tigers’ way is themselves.

Leading the way into the 2018 season is the Memphis Tigers’ offense. Last year the Tigers’ offense finished sixth in total offense and second in points scored per game. Even with the key departures of quarterback Riley Ferguson and receiver Anthony Miller, the Tigers’ offense should stay right on track.

A big name returning is running back Darrell Henderson who accounted for 1,380 total yards and 11 touchdowns and averaged nine yards every time he touched the ball. The American Conference has been the most competitive of the Group of Five conferences in recent years, so a big non-conference win over Missouri and an AAC Championship should do the trick for the Memphis Tiger’s obtaining an at-large bid on New Year’s.