College Football: Biggest Surprise Teams of 2008

This article is in response in my own article, a list of the "Top Five Biggest Disappointments" in the 2008 college football season.  If you haven't read it yet, check it out.

I have compiled the counterpart to that article.  In this piece, I'll give you five teams that I think will fly under the radar and make a surprising impact on the nation this season, whether it's by making a bigger bowl than expected, or by making noise for a BCS bid.

Note: I'm ranking these teams by the amount of impact they'll make on the national scene, from smallest to largest at number one.

No. 5: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Although this team has really been in the dumps the past couple of years, they are also only a few seasons removed from being a very competitive team that had a reputation for producing skilled running backs.

The Gophers started the Tim Brewster era in grand fashion last season, going 1-11 and looking completely terrible.  However, I believe things are looking up for the Gophers, and here's why.

First off, they recruited very well this offseason, landing the number 17 class in the country.  WR Brandon Green and SS Keanon Cooper should all have impacts as true freshmen this fall, and offensive linemen Ryan Wynn and Chris Bunders will shed their redshirts to join three returning starters on the offensive line.

I'm not even sure this team will be bowl eligible this season, but I expect significant improvement from a one-victory year.  I'll project them at 6-6, and if they can steal a game, maybe they'll even sneak into a bowl at 7-5 in what is a down year in the Big Ten, surprising many people nationally and setting up a bright future in Minnesota.

No. 4: Ball State Cardinals

Now before you jump down my throat, people, hold your horses.

I don't exactly see the Cardinals making a run at the BCS here, but I think they have a chance to make a big splash outside the BCS conferences.  I think they could be better than more familiar schools such as Hawaii, Central Michigan, Utah, and others.

If you missed the International Bowl versus Rutgers last year, I'll break it down for you in a nutshell.  Quarterback Nate Davis (who is definitely the real deal) kept his team at a respectable margin by hooking up with WR Dante Love (who is also the real deal).  On the other side of the ball, the defense got absolutely torched by Ray Rice—something that is quite understandable.

But back from a 7-6 team are 15 starters, including nine from a very good offense.  The team has a favorable schedule, with their toughest game being probably at Central Michigan or at Indiana.  These are totally attainable games for a team that is certainly on the rise.

I look for this team to make its name more known on the national stage and make a run at the MAC championship—and nobody will have seen it coming.

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