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

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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Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) throws a pass against the Mississippi Rebels in the third quarter of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m ready to jump aboard the Baylor bandwagon for 2022 and it’s due to the job that Dave Aranda has done. He’s one of the best new head coaches in college football and I’m sold on him leading the Bears to national relevancy for the foreseeable future.

Baylor shocked the nation and went 12-2 in 2021 with a Big 12 title and subsequent Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss. Sure, the Rebels lost Matt Corral early on, but the win was impressive nonetheless.

Entering the offseason, Baylor has to figure out how to replace Abram Smith who rushed for over 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns during a breakout 2021 season. Maybe Taye McWilliams can take that next step after averaging over 8.0 yards per carry over his first two seasons with the Bears. Gerry Bohanon will be back at quarterback, though, and the offense will be in good hands.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Bears will have one of the best defenses in the Big 12 again and they bring in the No. 34 recruiting class in the country.

Buy stock in Baylor now.

Next. Way-too-early Top 25 rankings projections for 2022. dark

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