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5 college football teams that could make their first playoff in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) greets Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda at the end of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Baylor won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) greets Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda at the end of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Baylor won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda is doused with sports drink by his players in the final seconds of the Bears victory over the Mississippi Rebels in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda is doused with sports drink by his players in the final seconds of the Bears victory over the Mississippi Rebels in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Baylor Bears

There aren’t many new coaches who I believe in as much as Dave Aranda. The Baylor head coach and former LSU defensive coordinator knows what it takes to win big and he showed that in 2021.

After a rebuilding year in 2020, Baylor had a massive turnaround as the second-year head coach got to mold his team into his image and they didn’t disappoint. They finished with a 12-2 record, winning a Big 12 title over Oklahoma State. This was one of the biggest turnarounds in college football in recent memory and it showed that Aranda can win big games.

With the Big 12 title, Baylor made the Sugar Bowl where it beat a really good Ole Miss team. This was a heck of a showing for the second-year coach.

Now he brings back a talented roster, led by trusty quarterback Gerry Bohanon who had a breakout season in 2021. He should be one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks this coming season and with the most important position locked in stone and an elite defense coming back, Baylor is going to be a favorite to repeat as Big 12 champion.

I would not be shocked with a one-loss season and playoff berth for the Bears.

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