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5 college football teams that could win first-ever national title in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) during the first quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.College Football Rose Bowl
Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) during the first quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.College Football Rose Bowl /
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Nov 13, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Byron Cardwell (21) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Byron Cardwell (21) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Oregon

Would you believe that a national power like Oregon has never won a national title?

If you’ve ever watched a College GameDay that has involved Oregon as the away team, you would have seen a sign that says something like “1,264 jersey combinations, zero national titles”. If you’re an Oregon fan, you just have to laugh it off, but it has to be truly frustrating to realize that all of the talent that has come through Eugene over the years has zero national titles to show for it.

The Ducks have come close over the past 15 years, or so, finishing as runner-ups twice in 2010 and then again in 2014. They were rising to the top of college football under Chip Kelly and then his departure set the program back a bit even though Mark Helfrich did succeed early on with his predecessor’s players still on the roster.

Oregon looked like it had a chance to end that all-time title drought in 2021, beating Ohio State early in the season and rising up to No. 3 in the rankings only to stumble at Stanford and then three times in the final four games of the season — twice to Utah.

Dan Lanning is taking over as head coach and he just has that swagger that national title teams need and he’s a heck of a defensive mind.

Oregon has added Bo Nix at quarterback to battle it out with Ty Thompson for the starting job and the offense should be electric in 2022. The defense has a ton of depth and quality pieces, but replacing Kayvon Thibodeaux, Mykael Wright, and Verone McKinley III will be tough.

A national title push won’t be out of the question for the former national championship-winning Georgia defensive coordinator.

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