Within the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff format, the fantastic thing about the expanded bracket is the opportunity of non-traditional powers getting a real crack at a nationwide championship.
Whereas the primary 12 months ended with heavyweights Ohio State and Notre Dame within the championship, faculties like Indiana, SMU and Arizona State earned bids. Not many foresaw any of these faculties getting an invitation at the start of the season.
Who’re the dark-horse candidates in 2025-26? Here is one workforce from every of the Energy 4 conferences, together with a Group of 5 member that might crash the occasion.
ACC | Louisville
The Cardinals reached as excessive as No. 19 in final season’s CFP rankings, however they misplaced 4 video games by a mixed 24 factors, together with seven-point losses to Notre Dame, SMU and Miami.
USC switch Miller Moss (2,555 yards, 18 TD, 9 INT in 2024) will lead the offense at quarterback this season. Can he discover some chemistry with fellow switch huge receivers TreyShun Hurry (San Jose State) and Dacari Collins (NC State)?
If the Cardinals are to make the CFP, it’ll come all the way down to the ultimate three video games of the season in opposition to Clemson, SMU and Kentucky.
Large Ten | Illinois
Like Louisville, Illinois wasn’t too removed from the CFP final season. The Illini had been 10-3 with two losses coming in opposition to Penn State and Oregon. Bret Bielema’s workforce is as soon as once more led by quarterback Luke Altmyer (2,717 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT).Â
Within the switch period, returning 18 starters is sort of unparalleled. Is Illinois prepared for the following step? Keep watch over Oct. 11 when Ohio State visits Champaign. Will probably be a great measuring stick of the place the Illini are at.
