The College Football Playoff is the ultimate goal for every team, outside of an obvious national title, every year, and yet only a handful of programs have ever made the field.
There are the usual suspects like Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia who seem to make it every year, but there are some elite programs that have surprisingly yet to make the field. And any of these teams could win a national title in any given season because they’re always seemingly near the top of the rankings.
Well, one of these five teams is going to end the drought and make their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this year.
5. Utah Utes
Cameron Rising is back for another run at the Pac-12 title and after winning two straight, it’s time the Utes start earning some respect from the rest of the country.
Utah has yet to make the playoff as only two teams from the Pac-12 have been in the field over the years: Oregon and Washington. It’s hard to believe that no other teams from the Pac-12 have made it, but this could be the year we see another team in the field.
The Utes would be a strong option.
A strong defense, a veteran quarterback, a run game that has some nice pieces, two straight Pac-12 titles, and a head coach who is constantly underrated. Yeah, Utah has what it takes to make a run. Maybe if the Utes made the playoff, Kyle Whittingham and the program would finally get the respect they deserve.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
No, Tennessee has never made the playoff. Yes, the Volunteers will be one of the best teams in the SEC this season. But no, I’m not 100 percent sold on them.
However, looking at the contenders this year, there aren’t many from the SEC that haven’t made a playoff yet. You have Alabama, Georgia, and LSU who have all made the field and won national titles but a team like Tennessee could sneak in and make some noise.
The only real caveat I have about this team is the quarterback situation. Sure, there’s a ton of buzz around Joe Milton but I’ve seen him as a starting quarterback in the past and it wasn’t pretty. His time at Michigan was forgettable and he came with plenty of hype there, too. I’m afraid people are forgetting to realize that his strong arm and running ability are far from the issue, but rather his accuracy and decision-making are the problems.
Either way, Tennessee is loaded with talent and Josh Heupel will have the roster to compete.
3. Texas Longhorns
Believe it or not, Texas has yet to make a playoff appearance.
The Longhorns were infamously declared “back” by Sam Ehlinger a handful of years back after a New Year’s Six win, but we all know that backfired and they really weren’t “back” at all. Since then, Texas has been pretty average and has since hired Steve Sarkisian as head coach which had some people, including myself, shaking their heads.
I’m not sure Sarkisian is a national title-contending head coach, but he absolutely has the roster to make some noise this season. The Longhorns are actually projected to win the Big 12 in 2023.
If Texas can win the Big 12 behind the arm of Quinn Ewers and the offense lives up to its potential while the defense continues to improve, I have no doubt that the playoff committee would have to include the Longhorns in the field.
Unfortunately, Texas has to go to Alabama in Week 2 and has road games against Baylor, Houston, and TCU. The Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma games won’t be easy, either.
But Ewers and this offense will keep Texas in every game.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is constantly being overlooked in the Big Ten and that’s because the Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry has heated up yet again. It was dead for over a decade, but it has returned in full force because the Wolverines are finally legit contenders again. But we simply cannot sleep on Penn State in the Big Ten East race.
Arguably the best division in college football, the winner of the Big Ten East will almost surely be headed to the playoff this season. Heck, even the No. 2 team in the division could get in again.
Last year, Michigan and Ohio State both got into the playoff. This year, two Big Ten teams could make the field again. I wouldn’t be shocked if one was Penn State.
Looking at the schedule and the fact that it’s finally Drew Allar’s time to shine with that elite backfield and defense helping him out, everything sets up nicely for Penn State to get to the playoff. I can see the Nittany Lions starting the season 6-0 before heading to Columbus to face Ohio State. Even if they lose that game, I think they can legitimately go 11-1 because they get Michigan at home.
Don’t sleep on James Franklin and this well-constructed Penn State team.
1. USC Trojans
If you’re buying stock in the USC Trojans this season, you’re not alone. In case you’re not aware, I’m all-in on the Trojans and I think that this is the year USC can finally make the playoff.
If I had to choose one team that has yet to make a playoff head to the national semifinal for the first time, it would be USC. The Trojans have one of the best rosters in college football, led by the best player in the country in Caleb Williams. He won the Heisman Trophy last season and he comes into the 2023 campaign as the favorite to repeat.
Williams is the best player and the offense has added some solid weapons like Dorian Singer, Zachariah Branch, and MarShawn Lloyd. The offense shouldn’t skip a beat after last season.
However, Alex Grinch’s defense will have everyone’s attention. He needs to turn things around this season and if the defense can keep up with the offense, there’s not going to be anyone slowing him down.
Will USC make the playoff for the first time in 2023? I think there’s a really good shot.
I mean, Lincoln Riley is no stranger to the playoff.