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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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Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) runs for 17 yards and a first down against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) runs for 17 yards and a first down against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12: UCLA Bruins

Chip Kelly was rumored to be on the move this offseason as a top candidate for the Oregon job and it made just too much sense. But after a thorough hiring process, the Ducks decided to go with Dan Lanning and Kelly felt at home at UCLA.

And how could he not? He’s coming off his best season since taking over at UCLA, going 8-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play. Things seem to be turning around quickly for the Bruins.

Kelly also returns the quarterback who has helped the turnaround and has been on campus for plenty of ups and downs. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has improved each year and he’s going to have his best season yet as a senior leader in 2022; I see him having an All-Pac-12 first team-type season.

The Bruins improved tenfold last season and they looked like legit contenders throughout, but I think they’ll actually take that next step in 2022 and make a push for that Pac-12 title.

USC, Utah, and Oregon are all hot names in the conference but don’t sleep on the Bruins — especially with 11 impact transfers coming in to complement DTR and Zach Charbonnet.

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