Iowa State, USC, Wisconsin and the 7 teams that can make their first College Football Playoff this year

Graham Mertz gives Wisconsin a huge edge over Big Ten West competition

One could argue for as many as four different programs to represent the Big Ten West in Indianapolis this year; it is that competitive. What gives the Wisconsin Badgers the slightest edge over teams like Iowa and Northwestern is who they have playing quarterback. In flashes, we have seen Graham Mertz play like the best quarterback in the Big Ten. If he is that, then on Wisconsin!

They do have some tough teams on the schedule, but it is projecting to be a favorable one. Wisconsin is fortunate to draw Penn State, Michigan, Iowa and Northwestern all at home. While the Badgers do have to play Notre Dame in the non-conference, it will be a neutral-site affair at Soldier Field in Chicago. Maybe this is the year Wisconsin finally beats Ohio State in Indianapolis?

Texas A&M was only one game away from getting into the field last year

Given how poorly Notre Dame played in the national semifinals a year ago, you could have argued that the one-loss, non-champion Texas A&M Aggies belonged in the 2021 College Football Playoff. Despite losing Kellen Mond to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Aggies have recruited marvelously under head coach Jimbo Fisher. This team is a lock for the New Year’s Six, maybe better than that.

When looking at the Aggies’ 2021 schedule, it is not that daunting all things considered for an SEC West schedule. Playing former Big 12 foe Colorado in Denver could be tricky, but that is a game the Aggies should win. While having to play Ole Miss in Oxford and LSU in Baton Rouge will be challenging, Texas A&M gets a great draw of having Alabama coming to College Station. If A&M can beat Alabama, they can defeat Georgia.

Iowa State returns seemingly everyone and is equipped to beat Oklahoma

The Iowa State Cyclones are coming off their best season in 100 years. They played for a conference championship and won the Fiesta Bowl over the Oregon Ducks in Glendale. Matt Campbell is a phenomenal head coach. With quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall returning among others, Iowa State has the talent to be a top-10 team all season long.

The round-robin Big 12 schedule is always hard, but if Iowa State beats Iowa, that will give them a quality non-conference win to go out and take care of business in Big 12 play. While they get Oklahoma State and Texas at home, Iowa State has road dates at Kansas State, West Virginia and Oklahoma. If Iowa State does not lose until the Norman game, they can win the Arlington rematch.

Ultimately, the reason these seven teams have the best shot of making the playoff for the first time in school history over the rest of the field is where they will likely be ranked to start the year. While it matters infinitely more where you finish the season, where you start does give a good, but not great team the benefit of the doubt to build confidence with every single win they accumulate.

Which of these seven Power 5 teams do you believe has the best shot at making the playoff?

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