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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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Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates with tight end Brant Kuithe (80) after running for a touchdown in the second quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates with tight end Brant Kuithe (80) after running for a touchdown in the second quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Utah

Remember when I said Oregon lost twice to Utah this season? That’s a good sign of how good this team can truly be when it lives up to its potential.

Like Oregon and everyone else on this list, Utah has never won a national title.

Before you come at me about 2008, that was an “unclaimed national title” for Utah and the BCS recognized Florida as the national champion. The Utes went 13-0 that season under Kyle Whittingham and finished No. 2 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll. Though the Utes never claimed national title recognition from major selector Anderson & Hester, this type of season just goes to show that they can experience that success.

Whittingham is still the head coach and he knows what it takes to get back to that level and his Utes got pretty close in 2021 — if not for some early-season losses.

The Utes are coming off a Rose Bowl appearance where they probably should have beaten Ohio State and the fact that they hung with the Buckeyes and looked like the better team for three-plus quarters just shows that they aren’t far off from national title contention.

With Cameron Rising and an impressive roster returning, Utah will be a potential top-10 team in search of its first national title.

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