The College Football preseason rankings are out and the new year has officially begun. I’m breaking down the top underrated teams for the 2022 season.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks had a great season last year with a nine-win season and are now under third-year head coach Sam Pittman. Arkansas has one of the toughest schedules in the country and will need the help of their star quarterback KJ Jefferson. Arkansas returns 12 starters and nine transfers over the offseason. The big loss for the Razorbacks was first-round wideout Treylon Burks, however, they landed former five-star receiver and Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselwood in the summer. The Arkansas offense should show no signs of slowing down under offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and top-tier quarterback KJ Jefferson. The defense is led by All-American defensive back Jalen Catalon and linebacker Bumper Pool. Arkansas will have the chance to start the new year with a win against #23 Cincinnati. The next step after that is getting a win in Arlington against the Texas A&M Aggies. After that, they’ll get a home date against the top-ranked Crimson Tide. A 10-win season looks likely for the Razorbacks.
Florida Gators
Dan Mullen is out of town and the Billy Napier era is officially underway. I predict this to be a day one change, the Gators will prove that by defeating the top ten Utah Utes. Florida being a sleeper team is me being a big believer in new head coach Billy Napier. I believe Napier is an instant program changer and he’s proven that this offseason. Florida has a stud quarterback in Anthony Richardson and he’ll be playing behind an experienced senior offensive line. As for the Florida defense, they return nine starters. However, it’s gonna be a young and depleted secondary for the 2022 season. Florida has a bit of a tough schedule. I think they beat Kentucky early on and it will ultimately come down to a road matchup versus Tennessee and of course a tough neutral site game against the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Baylor Bears
Many people forget that Baylor ended the year as a top-five team with 14 returning starters that hasn’t changed. The media loves to talk about Texas and Oklahoma when it comes to the Big 12. When in reality the Baylor Bears are the team to beat in the conference. Baylor lost some guys in the secondary and that will hurt them, but it won’t kill them. Dave Aranda has done a great job at getting this defense intact and he’ll do that again. On the other side of the ball offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes does a great job handling the offense. Baylor is ranked inside the top ten, however, they are not the highest ranked Big 12 team and that’s a problem. Despite Oklahoma losing a top 5 coach and quarterback in college football. They still find a way to be the team to beat in the Big 12. With all the attention gravitating toward Oklahoma and Texas. I’d watch out for Baylor to make a deep run and that includes knocking off Oklahoma in Norman, OK.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
The fact that Coastal Carolina enters the season unranked is baffling to me. I will admit they were hit hard with the departures of 16 starters. However, coach Jamey Chadwell is very capable of finding that next man up and it helps when they have a top ten quarterback in college football Grayson McCall. McCall is the x-factor that Coastal Carolina has leaned on and depended on. The Chanticleers are coming off of an 11-win season with just two losses and both were 3-point losses. I’m not saying that Coastal is gonna run the table and make it to the playoff. I am saying that they could be the lead candidate to make a new year six bowl game considering they currently face zero ranked opponents on their schedule.
Texas Longhorns
I didn’t want to put Texas in here, but just hear me out. By no means am I saying “They’re Back,” I’m simply saying that “IF” Quinn Ewers pans out like he was projected to then Texas will have a successful season in 2022. The offense is loaded with weapons. Bijan Robinson is the best running back in college football. Quinn Ewers was the #1 overall quarterback coming out of high school. Sophomore wideout Xavier Worthy showed his worth last season. The defense returns 77% of their production from last season and should look much more polished. I think the main focus for the Longhorns is making former five-star Quinn Ewers feel comfortable. I think this whole season will be dictated by quarterback play and perhaps Sarkisian’s job as well. Again, let me clarify. Texas is not back, however, let’s say that they’re on their way.
I hope you enjoyed this article on College Football Sleeper Teams. If you have any questions or comments feel free to comment below this page.
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