03-16-2016, 09:09 PM
SI lists 5 "mid majors" that could make a Cinderella run to the CFP playoffs next year. USF, Memphis, Houston, Boise, and BYU.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/...cinderella
Houston
The Cougars hardly qualify as true Cinderellas for the playoff as they’re likely to begin the season ranked in the top 20. However, membership in a Group of Five conference could make it difficult for them to rise from their initial ranking to the top four. Fortunately for coach Tom Herman’s squad, it could make a strong statement about its playoff worth just as the season gets underway. Houston kicks off 2016 with a neutral site matchup against Oklahoma, a playoff semifinalist last season expected to contend for a return berth in 2016. A win over the Sooners would instigate talk of the Cougars as playoff contenders. And unlike other Group of Five teams at risk of getting passed over while playing lesser competition after taking on a tough opponent in Week 1, Houston could get credit for handling business in the American if the conference backs up its success from last season. Possible wins at Cincinnati, Navy and Memphis and whomever the Cougars might play in the conference title game could bolster their résumé. Houston also hosts potential ACC contender Louisville in November.
The Cougars are riding high into the 2016 season off their Peach Bowl win over Florida State and a successful National Signing Day. Although they lose 11 starters from last year’s breakthrough season, the biggest pieces are back: Herman and star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. That gives Houston the best shot of any Group of Five team to reach the playoff in ’16.
Memphis
The Tigers probably had the most realistic playoff hopes of any Group of Five team last year. Had they gone undefeated after beating Ole Miss and had the Rebels won the SEC, it would have been nearly impossible to leave Memphis out. Consecutive losses to Navy, Houston and Temple and Ole Miss’s defeat to Arkansas ended the Tigers’ playoff hopes last year, but it’s not hard to imagine a similar scenario presenting itself this season. Memphis again takes on Ole Miss, this time in Oxford, and the Rebels again could contend for an SEC title.
However, to take down Ole Miss again, not to mention finish off the season unbeaten, the Tigers will have to improve on last season despite losing star quarterback Paxton Lynch and head coach Justin Fuente. Memphis returns only five starters on offense but brings in new head coach Mike Norvell, who oversaw explosive attacks at Arizona State. A regular season finale against Houston could prove pivotal for both teams’ playoff hopes.
South Florida
It’s not an accident that three teams from the American make this list. If any of these three makes the playoff, they will likely have enhanced their résumé by downing the other two (USF and Houston don’t play in the regular season but could meet in the AAC championship game). So, to an extent, each of Houston, Memphis and USF’s playoff hopes rest on the others building on their success from last year to keep the AAC’s stock climbing. For USF to finish in the top four, it’ll also have to upset Florida State on Sept. 24. That’s a tall order, considering the Seminoles are expected to contend for a playoff berth themselves, but it means a Bulls win would likely carry significant weight with the selection committee.
South Florida returns more starters (14) than either Houston or Memphis, including Quinton Flowers, who should be one of the AAC’s top passers not named Greg Ward Jr. He’ll be supported by leading rusher Marlon Mack, back after a 1,381-yard season, along with his top two targets. Seven starters also return from a defense that ranked third in the AAC in yards allowed per play. If USF can stun Florida State and jump into championship contention, it wouldn’t be the first time for the program. The Bulls ranked No. 2 in the initial BCS rankings in 2007. That didn’t end well, though; USF went on to drop its next three games and fall out of the rankings.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/...cinderella
Houston
The Cougars hardly qualify as true Cinderellas for the playoff as they’re likely to begin the season ranked in the top 20. However, membership in a Group of Five conference could make it difficult for them to rise from their initial ranking to the top four. Fortunately for coach Tom Herman’s squad, it could make a strong statement about its playoff worth just as the season gets underway. Houston kicks off 2016 with a neutral site matchup against Oklahoma, a playoff semifinalist last season expected to contend for a return berth in 2016. A win over the Sooners would instigate talk of the Cougars as playoff contenders. And unlike other Group of Five teams at risk of getting passed over while playing lesser competition after taking on a tough opponent in Week 1, Houston could get credit for handling business in the American if the conference backs up its success from last season. Possible wins at Cincinnati, Navy and Memphis and whomever the Cougars might play in the conference title game could bolster their résumé. Houston also hosts potential ACC contender Louisville in November.
The Cougars are riding high into the 2016 season off their Peach Bowl win over Florida State and a successful National Signing Day. Although they lose 11 starters from last year’s breakthrough season, the biggest pieces are back: Herman and star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. That gives Houston the best shot of any Group of Five team to reach the playoff in ’16.
Memphis
The Tigers probably had the most realistic playoff hopes of any Group of Five team last year. Had they gone undefeated after beating Ole Miss and had the Rebels won the SEC, it would have been nearly impossible to leave Memphis out. Consecutive losses to Navy, Houston and Temple and Ole Miss’s defeat to Arkansas ended the Tigers’ playoff hopes last year, but it’s not hard to imagine a similar scenario presenting itself this season. Memphis again takes on Ole Miss, this time in Oxford, and the Rebels again could contend for an SEC title.
However, to take down Ole Miss again, not to mention finish off the season unbeaten, the Tigers will have to improve on last season despite losing star quarterback Paxton Lynch and head coach Justin Fuente. Memphis returns only five starters on offense but brings in new head coach Mike Norvell, who oversaw explosive attacks at Arizona State. A regular season finale against Houston could prove pivotal for both teams’ playoff hopes.
South Florida
It’s not an accident that three teams from the American make this list. If any of these three makes the playoff, they will likely have enhanced their résumé by downing the other two (USF and Houston don’t play in the regular season but could meet in the AAC championship game). So, to an extent, each of Houston, Memphis and USF’s playoff hopes rest on the others building on their success from last year to keep the AAC’s stock climbing. For USF to finish in the top four, it’ll also have to upset Florida State on Sept. 24. That’s a tall order, considering the Seminoles are expected to contend for a playoff berth themselves, but it means a Bulls win would likely carry significant weight with the selection committee.
South Florida returns more starters (14) than either Houston or Memphis, including Quinton Flowers, who should be one of the AAC’s top passers not named Greg Ward Jr. He’ll be supported by leading rusher Marlon Mack, back after a 1,381-yard season, along with his top two targets. Seven starters also return from a defense that ranked third in the AAC in yards allowed per play. If USF can stun Florida State and jump into championship contention, it wouldn’t be the first time for the program. The Bulls ranked No. 2 in the initial BCS rankings in 2007. That didn’t end well, though; USF went on to drop its next three games and fall out of the rankings.
