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5 college football programs that will make surprise playoff push in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 20: Jaylan Knighton #4 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 20: Jaylan Knighton #4 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

4. Miami Hurricanes (2021 record: 7-5)

Miami has been somewhat of a dumpster fire for a few years. The Hurricanes were expected to have a decent bounce-back under Manny Diaz in 2021 but they couldn’t seem to conjure any momentum and limped to a 7-5 record and D’Eriq King just couldn’t stay healthy.

Diaz was squarely on the hot seat all year long and the school made a questionable move, reportedly offering Mario Cristobal the head coaching job before firing Manny.

The move to hire Cristobal was a good one, but the way the athletic department went about it was poor. Still, the Hurricanes got their guy and this should put them in a position to finally squeeze the most out of the talent on the roster. Talent hasn’t been the issue with the Hurricanes, but the recruiting should improve drastically anyways — especially in Florida.

The Hurricanes finished 5-7 last season, but Tyler Van Dyke showed plenty of promise and I could see him having an All-ACC type season at quarterback.

Cristobal takes over an impressive roster with plenty of talent and he also brings in the No. 15 recruiting class in the country as well as a handful of instant-impact transfers. This team could win a wide-open ACC this season and make a surprise playoff push.

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