Everyone wants their football team to win lots of games, but it’s always even more special when a team comes out of nowhere and defies preseason expectations. Here’s our four picks to make some noise this season and silence the haters:
1. Bowling Green
No offense to the Falcons, but we can imagine Bowling Green isn’t top of mind for many of our readers. However, they return the most overall production this upcoming college football season, and a wide open MAC means we have Scot Loeffler’s Falcons making a long shot run at a conference title.
2. TCU
The Horned Frogs had a pretty middling season last year, just missing a bowl. However, this is the first year Sonny Dykes gets to cook with his own guys recruited, though TCU also boasts one of the highest returning production percentages. TCU will have experiences on all sides of the ball plus some great recruits, and we see Sonny Dykes finally bringing his winning culture to Fort Worth.
3. NC State
NC State has lots of returning seniors (especially thanks to COVID amendments), an experienced QB in Devin Leary, and a reasonable strength of schedule. Nothing stopping NC State from getting double digit wins, and we expect it will be them or Clemson taking the ACC title. Write down the Wolfpack as must watch TV.
4. Maryland
Though Taulia may not have met the initial, galactic expectations his brother set for him, he’s been working in silence (more or less) and continually improving on his game. Furthermore, Maryland has finally recruited the supporting players he needs to succeed as well as developing some all American talent (like Biletnikoff contender Rakim Jarrett). Mike Locksley isn’t just building a spoiler team – Maryland could finish Top 3 in the Big Ten East, setting up for even more success down the line.
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