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College Football: Biggest dark-horse to win each Power Five league in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 30: Juju McDowell #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with E.J. Jenkins #13 following a touchdown run during the first half of the Duke's Mayo Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 30: Juju McDowell #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with E.J. Jenkins #13 following a touchdown run during the first half of the Duke's Mayo Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers during the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers during the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Big 12: Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State isn’t the sexiest pick to be the dark-horse in the Big 12, but the Wildcats will be a hot pick as the season draws closer.

Adrian Martinez transferred in from Nebraska and he never lacked talent in Lincoln but a change of scenery seemed necessary. We’ll see him have one of his best collegiate seasons in Manhattan as the starting quarterback for the Wildcats and he could even be one of the top comeback players in all of college football. This is a perfect replacement for Skylar Thompson.

Deuce Vaughn is also going to be a problem for defenses and I think there are enough weapons in the passing game that the offense will be incredibly balanced.

The defense is losing a bit, but Chris Klieman is bringing in four important defensive transfers who could all start next season. This side of the ball might end up actually improving from No. 29 in the country in total yards per game from a year ago.

Klieman is a solid coach and he’s getting the right pieces in place and the Big 12 will be wide-open this season. Kansas State went 7-5 last year and I wouldn’t be surprised with a 2-3 win improvement.

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