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

Pac-12: California Golden Bears

Sure, OK, I’m not off to a great start when the picture of the team shows them holding a Redbox Bowl trophy, but I think the California Golden Bears are the definition of a sleeper team.

They won eight games in 2019, a total that they’ve only matched one other time in the past decade. They haven’t finished in the top 10 since 2004, when I was eight years old. With the Pac-12 up for grabs between Oregon, Washington and USC, Cal will likely be ignored heading into 2020.

But every dynasty starts somewhere, and I think the Golden Bears are getting something going. They return a ton of talent from last season and their schedule is lined up perfectly in preparation for a championship season. They’re destined to take a step forward as they have the past three seasons, and this time they’ll be within striking range of the Pac-12 title.

Now, on the rare chance that they do win the Pac-12 and go to the College Football Playoff, I think they’d probably lose by about 45 points, but they shouldn’t be slept on regardless.