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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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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys walks on the sideline during the second half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys walks on the sideline during the second half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

23. Who will underachieve?

When there are the fun stories of teams overachieving, there are the less fun stories of teams underachieving.

Here are four teams that I believe will fail to meet expectations.

Oklahoma State: They finished last year one yard short of their first-ever College Football Playoff berth, and it may be a while before they get that close again. A team that dominated with defense last year, lost their top defensive mind in Broyles Award finalist Jim Knowles to Ohio State. The defense not only will need to replace their leader, but also seven starters on that side of the ball.

The biggest question besides the defense is the play of veteran quarterback Spencer Sanders. Sanders, a three-year starter, is trying to improve upon a somewhat disappointing season. In the Cowboys’ three biggest games of the year (Baylor, Oklahoma, Baylor in the Big 12 title), Sanders struggled, finishing with a 2-9 touchdowns-to-interception ratio, including a brutal four interceptions in the Big 12 Championship.

Sanders did bounce back, throwing for four touchdowns in a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame, and will need more from him this year to avoid a step back.

Utah: Utah is dreaming big, and for good reason. I don’t want to be the bubble buster for a team that I greatly respect. They had a really good season last year and took their program to new heights. They also lost four games, and couldn’t defeat an Ohio State team that may have been sleepwalking through the Rose Bowl for a half before the beat awoke.

This is a team that can absolutely make the CFP, but the top five rankings that I’ve seen so far have me a little worried we’re overhyping their overall talent.

Texas A&M: Texas A&M is talented, no doubt. The Aggies’ roster holds up with almost every team in the country. The problem is — and has been for a while — that they lack the superstar talent at the most important positions. They seem to be lacking in the star players that can help them avoid the bad losses, and overcome in the biggest games to get the wins the Aggies need to get to their first-ever CFP.

Their time is coming, but until I see the Aggies in Atlanta for the SEC championship, winners of the West division, I don’t see this team making the CFP. Beat Bama again, win the West, and this program will elevate to a new level. Until then, they sit on the underachiever line.

Clemson: You’re probably asking why I’ve got the Tigers in the underachievers category, after talking them up earlier. I like Clemson this year, I think they can win the ACC and get back to the CFP. The reason why I have them in this category is that I don’t believe that they can win the national championship, which is the standard set at Clemson.

This all comes down to the offense and the quarterback play. I hope D.J. Uiagalelei proves me wrong and has a great year, but for now, I don’t see him making the kind of jump that Clemson needs.

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