As we approach the start of the 2021 college football season, it’s time to start looking not just at the teams that are favored to run away with each conference and show up in the national semifinals, but also a time to look at some sleeper teams. We’ll look at the Power 5 conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12) along with the American Athletic Conference, as this sixth league will likely play a role in future playoffs and could put a surprise team in the College Football Playoff.
As you think about your colege football betting for the fall, look at these potential sleepers.
NCAA News: A Surprise Football Team from Every Major Conference
ACC
North Carolina State finished 4-8 in 2019 but bounced back to 8-4 a year ago, losing two of those games by no more than three points. The crossover games are hard this year, as they play North Carolina and Miami, and they also visit Mississippi State in non-conference action. However, those are tests that they are excited to take on. Quarterback Devin Leary returns after losing the last seven games of 2020 to injury. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu returns to protect his back. The team needs better running game play and more big plays. The defense returns nine starters, including Drake Thomas, Isaiah Moore and Payton Wilson at linebacker, but the team can still improve from the 31.3 points permitted per game from last year.
Big 12
Iowa State comes in off the greatest season in the history of the program, as they finished #9 in the nation and broke the eight-win barrier for just the third time. Almost the whole offense returns, including quarterback Brock Purdy, tailback Breece Hall, wideout Xavier Hutchinson and tight end Charlie Kolar. The O-line should be one of the best units in the Big 12. The defense returns linebacker Mike Rose, one of the best at his position in the nation, and Will McDonald returns after posting 10 ½ sacks a year ago. The Cyclones held opponents to 21.4 points per game — although they did permit nine completions of at least 40 yards in 2020.
Big Ten
Penn State put up an unsightly 4-5 record a year ago, but James Franklin’s team has won 11 or more games in three of the last four campaigns. We’ll see how they will fare early, as they start at Wisconsin and also face Auburn in non-conference action. On offense, quarterback Sean Clifford has two solid receivers in Parker Washington and Jahan Dotson. The O-line has Caedan Wallace, Mike Miranda and Rasheed Walker anchoring the protection and the running game. Clifford needs to rebound after leading an offense that lost the ball 17 times last year. The defense permitted just 5.1 yards per play last year, and the secondary is one of the best units in the Big Ten. The D-line lost four starters and had to use the transfer portal to get some help. The team permitted eight plays of at least forty yards last year, and that has to sotp.
SEC
Missouri only went 5-5 last year, but they had a first-year coach and a limited offseason. Connor Bazelak returns to lead the offense as a sophomore. Tyler Badie will take over for Larry Rountree at tailback, but the Tigers need more wide receivers to step up, such as true freshman Dominc Lovett and transfer Mookie Cooper. Steve Wilks joins the team as defensive coordinator, and Trajan Jeffcoat, wit six sacks off the edge, returns, along with linebackers Blaze Alldredge and Devin Nicholson. The team permitted 6.1 yards per play and 32.3 points per game last year, and both of those numbers need to improve.
Pac-12
Utah is projected to finish third in the Pac-12 South this season, but they are right up there with USC and Arizona State in a number of ways. Charlie Brewer transferred in from Baylor to play quarterback and should lock down the position. There are several options at tailback, including some transfers. Wide receiver Britain Covey is an underrated all-purpose player in the conference, and tight end Brant Kuithe is also brilliant under the radar. The O-line should be one of the top units in the Pac-12. The defense limited opponents to 26 points per game last year, and eight starters return, including an ironclad D-line and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
AAC
SMU is 17-6 over the last two years for coach Sonny Dykes. The biggest question comes at quarterback, as Shane Buechele was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tanner Mordecai transferred in from Oklahoma, and true freshman Preston Stone will compete with him for the starting signal-caller job. The running game should be stout, with Ulysses Bentley IV the featured back. Grant Calcaterra has transferred in to play tight end, and Reggie Roberson, Danny Gray and Rashee Rice all return at wide receiver. Jim Leavitt joins the Mustangs as defensive coordinator, and seven starters return. However, the Mustangs permitted 30.9 points per game, giving up way too much in the running game. On third down, SMU was ninth in terms of denying conversions, a number that must improve.
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