Saturday Blitz
Fansided

2021’s teams most likely to make first College Football Playoff appearance

By John Scimeca

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 10: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones is forced out of bounds by defensive back Eric Monroe #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and defensive back Alex Hogan #27 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - OCTOBER 10: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones is forced out of bounds by defensive back Eric Monroe #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and defensive back Alex Hogan #27 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Iowa State beat Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and finished with a 9-3 record last season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Iowa State beat Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and finished with a 9-3 record last season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Iowa State

Iowa State’s chances to contend for the 2021 national championship hinge on a returning cast of experienced, accomplished players. Quarterback Brock Purdy is getting preseason Heisman hype, and the defense returns all but one starter from last year’s unit that ranked among the nation’s top 25 defenses in yards allowed and points allowed, including the country’s eighth-best (and the Big 12’s best) rush defense (103.1 yards allowed per game).

Running back Breece Hall led the nation in 100-yard rushing games (nine) from last year and hopes to equal or improve on that mark this fall.

Recent has proven that a one-loss team can make it to the CFP from the Big 12. The Cyclones can afford a slip-up to OU on the road in Week 12 (Nov. 20), given that Iowa State can beat the Sooners in the ensuing Big 12 title game a few weeks later.

Iowa State has an early home date with Iowa in Week 2 — a game that the Hawkeyes have won five years in a row. If the Cyclones can get over the hump and defeat their in-state rival, the squad will build some early momentum heading into the Big 12 portion of their schedule. Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma State will all visit Ames this year, giving the Cyclones a shot to perhaps enjoy the greatest season in school history.

Next. Early top 25 projections for 2021. dark

Home/College Football News