College Football Playoff: Top sleeper from each Power 5 conference in 2020

Big Ten: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Right off the bat, I’m starting with a pretty controversial selection in Minnesota. The obvious choice here would have been Michigan, but you could have said that Michigan had a shot at the playoff for the last five years. It hasn’t happened yet, so why should I waste my time talking about it over and over again if it seemingly isn’t going to happen?

That being said, I do tend to jinx everything, so don’t be surprised when the Wolverines are 2020 national champions.

I chose Minnesota because I believe in PJ Fleck. I’ve been saying it for years, I think the guy could be the best coach in the Big Ten and one of the best coaches in the country. Since I first heard him speak, I instantly believed in him, and his abilities are starting to become obvious to anybody who watches Big Ten football.

Granted, the Gophers didn’t even reach the Big Ten title game, but they’re on the come up. I think they’re becoming the team that Michigan State was 5-10 years ago — a team that could sometimes pick off Ohio State and will make a College Football Playoff appearance.