5 Dark horse contenders for 2021 College Football Playoff

Iowa State

According to the blue-chip ratio, Iowa State football and other teams on this list don’t have the talent necessary to win a national championship. But that doesn’t mean the Cyclones don’t have a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

It’s hard to see Cincinatti or Iowa State beating Alabama or Clemson in the playoff, but you never know and the Cyclones have a legit chance of making it in 2021.

Head coach Matt Campbell has done incredible things in Ames. Quarterback Brock Purdy is back, as is running back Breece Hall, who should be a Heisman contender, and Mike Rose, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Iowa State football has other offensive weapons such as tight end Charlie Kolar and receiver Xavier Hutchinson, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year on offense.

Of course, Oklahoma, which defeated ISU in the Big 12 title game stands in the way, along with Iowa, Texas, and the always competitive Big 12.

Iowa State gets Texas and Iowa at home. If the Cyclones win those games and even lose against Oklahoma, it should get a rematch in the Big 12 title game as long as it wins the rest. Then, it’s a one-game playoff with OU to reach college football’s final four — assuming both teams have one loss or are undefeated.