Fansided
Fansided

College Football: 5 dark horse playoff contenders

By Eric Robinson

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 07: Detail of the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, along with the helmets of the 2 competing teams, University of Alabama (left) and University of Georgia (right) on January 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 07: Detail of the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, along with the helmets of the 2 competing teams, University of Alabama (left) and University of Georgia (right) on January 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
DURHAM, NC – SEPTEMBER 29: Ahmmon Richards #82 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – SEPTEMBER 29: Ahmmon Richards #82 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Miami Hurricanes (Last season: 10-3)

Ten straight wins to open the season had many eyeing the Hurricanes as a player in the College Football Playoff. Then, they hit a 3-game wall with losses to Pittsburgh, Clemson, and Wisconsin to close the season.

The 2017 campaign was not supposed to be “the year” for this skillful program. Many felt 2018 could be the season that Miami is fully back on the elite landscape across college football. Seven of the team’s top eight tacklers return on a defense that was fifth in the nation last season in turnover margin. Who can ever forget the turnover chain that made constant appearances last season.

On offense, head coach Mark Richt has a bevy of talent at the skill positions. Leading rusher Travis Homer will lead the cavalry in the backfield after rushing for 966 yards and eight scores last season.

A healthy Ahmmon Richards is a difference maker and can make a claim as the best wide receiver in the ACC. The schedule looks promising for the Hurricanes even with a season opener against LSU and four road games in a five game span between mid-October and mid-November.

We’ve seen this story before with Richt and a team with high expectations but this story may have a different ending.

Home/College Football