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5 potential college football Cinderella stories in 2017

By Charles Rahrig V

Dec 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) throws the ball during 2nd half of The Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Northwestern defeats Pittsburgh 31-24. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) throws the ball during 2nd half of The Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Northwestern defeats Pittsburgh 31-24. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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These five potential college football programs could end up having special seasons in 2017.

The best part of college football is that while everyone knows who the heavyweights are, it’s tough to put a finger on the surprise teams in the sport. Last year, the likes of Colorado and Western Michigan turned a lot of heads with the great seasons they had.

This year, there’s bound to be more teams that step up and have the potential to go on a major tear. We know the Power Five schools are going to turn out some Cinderella stories of their own and so are the schools in the Group of Five.

The best part is that the Group of Five schools get a representative in a major bowl game. Although they have yet to crack the College Football Playoff, there at least has been discussion each year about whether or not those schools deserve to get in. Getting in the conversation is a start.

For the Power Five schools it’s a little more difficult with the tougher competition. The good news is that if they get through that schedule, they’re likely in. See Washington last year and their trip to the College Football Playoff. So who could end up being the Cinderella story of 2017 in college football? Here are five potential teams.

5. UTSA Roadrunners

Ever since making the jump up, the UTSA Roadrunners have consistently been working on getting better as a program. Last year, the Roadrunners finally made their first bowl game appearance and it was a big step for the program.

They lost a tough battle in the New Mexico Bowl but it was a sign that good things are around the corner for the program, as they try to continue to build something special with their football program. They also have some key players returning.

Quarterback Dalton Sturm is returning for the Roadrunners and he was nothing short of impressive. He’s the heart and soul at the quarterback position for UTSA and he’s going to be key to them taking a next step. Could he lead them to a Cinderella season and have them competing for something even bigger? It’s certainly possible.

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