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Dark horses to win each Power Five Conference in 2015

By J.P. Scott

Dec 6, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Derrick Mitchell (11) and linebacker Reggie Northrup (5) and running back Dalvin Cook (4)and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) and long snapper Stephen Gabbard (47) celebrate after the game. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 37-35 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Derrick Mitchell (11) and linebacker Reggie Northrup (5) and running back Dalvin Cook (4)and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) and long snapper Stephen Gabbard (47) celebrate after the game. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 37-35 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Much of the focus looking ahead to the 2015 college football season is on the favorites. Today, we’re focusing on the dark horses.

The ink was still wet on Ohio State’s championship t-shirts when the first rankings and predictions for the 2015 college football season started rolling off the fingers and onto the keyboards of sports writers around the country. The first questions asked and answered are usually the ones about the favorites to win it all next season.

I’m taking a different approach. I scoured each Power Five conference looking for teams — dark horses if you will — who could knock off some of the favorites and surprise everyone in conference play. Here now are the dark horses who could win each Power Five conference in 2015.

Big Ten

Favorite(s): Ohio State, Michigan State

Dark horse: Wisconsin

The Badgers lose three starting offensive linemen, but I wouldn’t worry too much if I were a Wisconsin fan. The Wisconsin offensive line has become somewhat of an institution, embodying the “next man up” cliche. They’ll be just fine — especially with a guy like Paul Chryst at the helm — who understands the tradition of that unit at Wisconsin.

In addition, the Badgers return seven defensive starters, their starting quarterback and a running back who accounted for over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. Wisconsin will be a serious threat to anyone with aspirations of winning the Big Ten.

Big 12

Favorite(s): Texas Christian, Baylor

Dark horse: Oklahoma State

A lot of the focus as far as the Big 12 went this season was on TCU and Baylor. Hovering just below the surface, however, were a number of solid football teams. One of them was Oklahoma State. The Cowboys return a total of 16 starters on offense and defense. They also have a talented young quarterback in Mason Rudolph, who stepped in at the end of the season and performed well against three quality opponents. Rudolph will have Oklahoma State’s top receivers from 2014 — Brandon Sheperd, David Glidden and James Washington — at his disposal. Anyone who wants to beat the Cowboys in 2015 will likely have to win a shootout.

Pac 12

Favorites: Southern Cal, Oregon

Dark horse: Arizona

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) stands on the field during the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos won 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) stands on the field during the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos won 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

This tells you how tough the Pac 12 is — when a team that was in and out of the top ten in 2014 is a dark horse to win their conference. Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon had one of the more underrated seasons in the nation statistically in 2014. He’ll be joined in the backfield once again by running back Nick Wilson, who flirted with 1,400 yards. They’ll have three returning starting offensive lineman in front of them to clear the way.

On defense, the Wildcats return Scooby Wright III, winner of virtually every individual defensive award in 2014.

They avoid Oregon in the regular season and draw Utah and UCLA at home in 2015.

SEC

Favorite(s): Georgia, Alabama

Dark horse: Tennessee

The Vols return 19 total starters on offense and defense, including running back Jalen Hurd. Hurd introduced himself to the nation during Tennessee’s 45-28 win over Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl — rushing for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Joining Hurd in the backfield will be quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who took over midway through the season and led the Vols to a 4-2 record. Tennessee’s only losses during that stretch were to Alabama and Missouri — the two participants in the SEC Championship game.

Everything seems to be coming together for Butch Jones, as the winning ways look to be returning soon to Ole Rocky Top.

ACC

Favorite: Clemson

Dark horse: Florida State

That’s right — college football’s most hated and successful team over the past two season’s might be the Cinderella story in the ACC in 2015. They return only ten total starters on offense and defense combined, but one of those is running back Dalvin Cook. Cook eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as a freshman, however, ended his season on a negative note after a couple of untimely fumbles in the Rose Bowl. The backlash from that will no doubt drive Cook to redeem himself in the eyes of Seminole Nation.

This might be one of those cases where everyone expects a team to rebuild, but instead simply reloads. Florida State has hauled in a top ten recruiting class in each of the past four seasons.

Next: Who are the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time?

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