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Top 5 early dark-horse college football national title contenders for 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 13, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) and tight end Ben Sims (86) and wide receiver Drew Estrada (18) and running back Abram Smith (7) celebrate a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) and tight end Ben Sims (86) and wide receiver Drew Estrada (18) and running back Abram Smith (7) celebrate a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) and quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) and quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

What Mel Tucker is building in East Lansing is nothing short of special and I truly believe that the Spartans are going to be contending for national titles sooner rather than later.

Outsiders might look at Michigan State and assume it’ll take a step back in 2022 because of the departure of Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III but the offense should be just as good, if not even better next season.

How so? Payton Thorne returns for his second full season as starting quarterback after breaking some single-season Michigan State passing records, Jayden Reed is also back after a 1,000-yard receiving season, Jalen Berger has transferred in at running back and the Spartans may also be close to landing Colorado’s Jarek Broussard, and the receiving corps is incredibly deep.

On the other side of the ball, Michigan State’s secondary finished last in the nation against the pass in 2021. If the pass defense improves, just imagine how tough to beat this team is going to be in the Big Ten.

The schedule is tough, but this team is deep and probably more talented than any Michigan State squad since it made the playoff back in 2015.

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