Most Overlooked Contenders in Every College Football Conference
Previous success and offseason hype combine to create an accepted list of favorites to win each college football conference, but that attention isn't always correct.
Although the eventual winner certainly may come from the group of popular choices, every league contains a forgotten team.
None of the following programs are considered favorites and that’s for good reason. However, they should be well above average and are capable of contending in their conferences this year.
Don't expect greatness, but don't be surprised if these squads are in the conversation heading into the final month of the 2016 season.
AAC: Cincinnati
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Whether it's Gunner Kiel or Hayden Moore behind center, Cincinnati has an experienced quarterback. That's one piece of the team's complex but solvable equation.
The Bearcats need to replace a strong majority of their production at receiver. Six wideouts tallied at least 400 yards—with two above 800—and all six graduated. Still, Tion Green and Mike Boone are solid running backs, and the offensive line returns three starters.
Defensively almost everyone is back, which could be viewed as either a good or bad thing. Last season, Cincinnati finished 78th in total defense and 91st in scoring.
Tommy Tuberville's crew has a crossover game against Houston, but the Bearcats host the conference favorite, as well as: South Florida, East Carolina and Memphis.
ACC: Pittsburgh
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North Carolina is considered the top Coastal Division contender, while Miami is close behind. But the first year of the Mark Richt era will include more challenges than have been discussed.
Pittsburgh must travel to Clemson in mid-November, but both the Tar Heels and Hurricanes take on Florida State. Consequently, the Coastal could again be a transitive nightmare.
Between four returning starters on the offensive line, a stable of running backs, efficient quarterbacking from Nathan Peterman and an experienced defense, Pat Narduzzi has the roster to assemble a Coastal run.
Now, could the Panthers actually pull an upset in the ACC Championship Game? They'd certainly be the underdog, but getting there is half the battle.
Big 12: West Virginia
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Oklahoma is the clear favorite. TCU, Oklahoma State and Baylor are nestled into the second tier in the Big 12. Meanwhile, Dana Holgorsen believes West Virginia is in great shape.
"I think we're right where we need to be," Holgorsen said, per Rusty Udy of the Register-Herald. "We have shown improvement the last two years and last year we won more games than we have in the previous three years in the Big 12."
Dual-threat quarterback Skyler Howard leads a potentially explosive offense that ended 2015 ranked No. 23 nationally. The defense will lean on a veteran defensive line to overshadow losses both at linebacker and in the secondary.
Yes, the Mountaineers need to spring a couple of upsets, and that's no easy task. Still, three of the four Big 12 powers—Oklahoma State being the exception—head to Morgantown this season.
Perhaps West Virginia is a longshot, but there's a sizable gap between the four programs at the top.
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Big Ten: Northwestern
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While the East Division contains the Big Ten's expected best teams—Ohio State and Michigan—the West is riddled with above-average-but-maybe-not-great programs.
That should make for an exciting November.
Iowa remains a solid team yet won't be undefeated again. Nebraska has serious potential but encounters a road-heavy slate. Wisconsin faces an absolute gauntlet before going to Evanston on Nov. 5.
Though the progression of Clayton Thorson is key, Northwestern should be in position to take advantage of a messy division—especially if the Wildcats upend Iowa in early October.
Pat Fitzgerald's team isn't a flashy choice. However, a stout defense led by Anthony Walker helped an offensive-challenged squad go 10-2 in 2015. The same could happen with a simply average attack.
Conference USA: Marshall
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Middle Tennessee boasts a prolific quarterback-receiver combination in Brent Stockstill and Richie James. Taywan Taylor highlights a dangerous pass-catching corps at Western Kentucky.
Conference USA media projects Marshall to finish third in the East Division behind those teams.
As long as injuries aren't a major issue, though, the Thundering Herd will find the stable offense they lacked in 2015. Additionally, four starting offensive linemen return to protect Chase Litton, who started 11 games as a true freshman.
Marshall's fate will be determined over a five-week stretch, late in the season, when the team takes on Southern Miss, Old Dominion, Middle Tennessee, Florida International and Western Kentucky.
MAC: Central Michigan
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P.J. Fleck might have Western Michigan row the boat into the MAC Championship Game. If it's not the Broncos, Toledo and longtime power Northern Illinois are the obvious choices.
Keep an eye on Central Michigan.
Cooper Rush is entering his fourth season as the starting quarterback; the NCAA granted his primary target—Jesse Kroll—a sixth year of eligibility and three of the other top four receivers are back. Much of the defense returns, too.
The biggest question is whether or not the offensive line can recover from losing longtime starters Nick Beamish and Ramadan Ahmeti. Plus, Central Michigan just couldn't run the ball in 2015, though Romello Ross provided a glimmer of hope.
A road game against Oklahoma State will provide a major test for the Chippewas. Should they hang around in Stillwater, there's no reason not to contend in the MAC.
Mountain West: Utah State
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There's a respectable chance 2016 is the year Boise State reclaims Mountain West glory. But last season, Kent Myers and Utah State smoked the Broncos thanks to seven first-half takeaways.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, they trudged to a 2-5 finish. On the bright side, the program notched its fifth straight bowl appearance.
Dual-threat quarterback Kent Myers amassed 1,950 total yards and 19 touchdowns during his nine appearances, replacing and then ceding the job to Chuckie Keeton. In 2016, Myers owns the position.
Utah State opens conference play against Air Force, Boise State and Colorado State. If the Aggies win twice, they'll be a thorn in the Mountain Division race come November.
Pac-12: Utah
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Choosing Stanford, Oregon, UCLA or USC would be wrong. Washington and Washington State have steadily garnered praise throughout the offseason. Who's the seventh option?
Between Utah and Arizona, the former holds a small edge because of a sturdier defense headlined by Lowell Lotulelei.
But so many key contributors are gone. Devontae Booker headed to the NFL, Kenneth Scott graduated and Britain Covey received his mission call. Gionni Paul and Jared Norris exhausted their eligibility.
Doubting a Kyle Whittingham-led program seems foolish. If there were ever a time, 2016 might be it. However, a treacherous schedule could ruin USC, and UCLA is by no means a lock. Utah could find itself in position to steal the South Division.
SEC: Florida
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Few programs received more attention this offseason than Tennessee. Meanwhile, Kirby Smart may choose a talented freshman quarterback to lead a Georgia program hoping to reclaim SEC glory.
Oh, by the way, Florida exists.
Last season's East Division champion has proceeded mostly unnoticed throughout the summer months. A couple of off-field issues caused blips on the national radar; otherwise, it's been quiet since Luke Del Rio appeared to demand the quarterback vacancy.
The Gators have 11 straight victories over the Vols and posted three-possession wins against Georgia in both 2014 and 2015. Until proven otherwise, the road to Atlanta travels through Gainesville.
Sun Belt: Louisiana-Lafayette
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Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Arkansas State are deservedly considered the Sun Belt leaders. Georgia State would be a surprise, and Louisiana-Lafayette has a shot.
The Ragin' Cajuns relied on young players in 2015, which resulted in plenty of mediocre performances but also created hope for the future. Plus, standout running back Elijah McGuire returns.
In fairness, UL-Lafayette has the potential to struggle mightily—not just during conference action. The Ragin' Cajuns also take on Boise State, Tulane and Georgia out of Sun Belt action.
But with an electric playmaker guiding a potential-filled roster, Mark Hudspeth's team shouldn't be an overlooked opponent.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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