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6 (10-win) college football teams that are flying under the radar in 2022

By John Scimeca

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #24 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs the ball during the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #24 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs the ball during the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 9: Running back Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half in front of defensive back Dane Belton #4 and defensive back Riley Moss #33 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 9: Running back Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half in front of defensive back Dane Belton #4 and defensive back Riley Moss #33 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Iowa Hawkeyes

2021 record: 10-4 (7-2 Big Ten)

The Hawkeyes finished the 2021 regular season with a 10-2 record and the nation’s No. 15 AP ranking before getting blown out in the Big Ten title game 42-3 by Michigan and losing the Citrus Bowl to Kentucky.

Iowa is not ranked in this preseason’s AP Top 25, and many assume that head coach Kirk Ferentz will take the back seat in the Big Ten West to Wisconsin. Some say that Minnesota or Purdue will have a breakthrough year and be the dark horse challenger to take on Ohio State or Michigan at the end of the year.

Iowa should be right back in the discussion, though, considering that eight defensive starters return to a unit that ranked No. 13 in the country in both scoring (19.2 points allowed per game) and rushing (114.4 ground yards allowed per game). Quarterback Spencer Petras returns, too, and should build on his 2021 performance.

Ole Miss Rebels 

2021 record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)

Entering head coach Lane Kiffin’s third year in Oxford, Miss., the Rebels are ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25 and fourth in the West Division according to the annual SEC preseason media poll behind Alabama, Texas A&M, and Arkansas.

The SEC West is notoriously difficult — don’t forget that LSU has a new head coach in former Notre Dame boss Brian Kelly and his new 10-year, $95 million contract.

I foresee, though, the Rebels continuing to excel in 2022 due to their playmaking ability on offense. Quarterback Jaxson Dart can sling it and tight end Michael Trigg starred in the spring game after both arrived via the transfer portal from USC. A slew of other transfers at wide receiver, running back, defensive line, and linebacker give Kiffin loads of talent to retool the roster.

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