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5 Dark horse contenders for 2021 College Football Playoff

By Chris Peterson

Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell and quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) lead the Bearcats onto the field before the first quarter of the NCAA American Athletic Conference football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the East Carolina Pirates at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The Bearcats led 35-10 at halftime.East Carolina Pirates At Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell and quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) lead the Bearcats onto the field before the first quarter of the NCAA American Athletic Conference football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the East Carolina Pirates at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The Bearcats led 35-10 at halftime.East Carolina Pirates At Cincinnati Bearcats /
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Looking ahead to the 2021 College Football Playoff, it might seem like the four teams are easy to predict but here are five dark horses. 

Heading into the 2021 college football season, predicting the participants of the College Football Playoff might seem easier than ever.

Clemson and Ohio State are the two heavy favorites to emerge from the ACC and the Big Ten, while Alabama and Oklahoma are also expected to make the College Football Playoff from the SEC and Big 12.

Teams such as Notre Dame, Georgia, Texas A&M, and others getting ranked in the preseason top 10 are expected to contend for those spots.

No one would be shocked if those teams wound up in the College Football Playoff next season but after that, there are some other solid contenders, and here are five dark-horse candidates for the 2021 College Football Playoff.

Cincinatti Bearcats

The Bearcats and any Group of Five teams will always be considered a dark horse because the system is set up against them. However, Cincinatti put together a 9-1 season a year ago and held its own against Georgia in the bowl game.

Led by head coach Luke Fickell and returning starting quarterback Desmond Ridder, the Bearcats are the team to beat in the American, however, we all know that won’t be enough to get them playoff consideration.

Yet, they have road games this season against Indiana and Notre Dame. If both the Hoosiers and Irish live up to expectations, putting together strong seasons, Cincinatti could make a name for itself with some signature wins and who knows, if other leagues wind up with two-loss champions, maybe an undefeated Bearcats squad could sneak in.

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