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25 biggest college football storylines for the 2022 season

By Michael Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: The National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: The National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Nathaniel Dell #1 of the Houston Cougars reacts as the team prepares to run onto the field for the first half of the 2021 American Conference Championship against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Nathaniel Dell #1 of the Houston Cougars reacts as the team prepares to run onto the field for the first half of the 2021 American Conference Championship against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

16. Who are the Group of Five contenders?

Let’s get this out of the way: there is no 2021 Cincinnati this season. There are a strong number of Group of Five teams that are capable of getting to a New Year’s Six bowl, and even winning that game, but there is not a team capable and with a strong enough schedule to be in the playoff discussion.

Here are my top three teams most likely to make the CFP.

3. Fresno State

The Bulldogs are the one team from the Mountain West that I believe is capable of representing the G5 in a New Year’s Six bowl. The biggest reason? Gunslinger Jake Haener who had a fantastic year for a 10-3 Bulldogs team in 2021, throwing for 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. Jeff Tedford takes over, for now, Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, and he’ll have a couple of tough games early on to get through.

The Bulldogs host an improving Oregon State team and travel to Southern Cal and Boise State in the first half of the season. Obviously an upset over USC would be a game changer, but a close battle there and Fresno State winning out could put them in prime position for a NY6 bowl.

2. UCF

The former G5 darlings have a good deal of experience in NY6 bowls, having made two Fiesta Bowls and a Peach Bowl in the past decade. Gus Malzahn is replacing Dillon Gabriel with former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who brings plus athleticism and is the type of quarterback that Malzahn thrives with.

While UCF may not have the same public love you’re seeing with Cincinnati and SMU, I believe UCF is a better and faster team overall, and their schedule sets up perfectly.

The Golden Knights will have home-field advantage when they take on both SMU and Cincy in AAC play, and they avoid Houston during the regular season. I believe they will make the AAC championship undefeated and be within a win of the NY6.

1. Houston

It’s a good thing that UCF avoids the Houston Cougars during the regular season because I think they’d be in trouble. The Houston Cougars are the top choice to represent the G5 in a NY6 bowl.

A Dana Holgorsen offense is always going to be elite, and this squad is no different. The Cougars return their veteran quarterback Clayton Tune (30 touchdowns last year) and probably the best slot receiver and return specialist in the country in Tank Dell. This duo will likely be right up there with OSU’s dynamic duo in terms of production.

The majority of the defense returns to a 12-win squad, although they will have to replace monster interior defensive lineman Logan Hall. If they can make up for his loss, they can get back to the AAC championship, and finish the job this time.

This is a squad that I believe has the potential to be one of the ten best teams in the country, and may even be favored in a potential NY6 bowl. This is Holgorsen and Houston’s year.

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