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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) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners takes the field before the Oklahoma Sooners play the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. OU won 41-17. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners takes the field before the Oklahoma Sooners play the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. OU won 41-17. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma Sooners (Last season: 12-2)

As the favorites to win the Big 12 conference this season, the Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a season where they may have exceeded a few expectations but still came up short. Replacing a Heisman winner at quarterback could cramp any program, which is what the Sooners are staring currently.

So the team will look upon a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Kyler Murray, who backed up Baker Mayfield last season. A strong stable is around Murray led by running back Rodney Anderson, wide receiver Marquise Brown, and an offensive line that is absolutely deep.

While the schedule may say Florida Atlantic and UCLA to start the season, both games will be viable tests for a Sooners team that is undeniably talented but will be missing a key piece in Mayfield.

Second-year head coach Lincoln Riley answered a few questions in year one and his Sooners are in contention again after the team missed out on the National Championship game with a tough, hard-fought Rose Bowl loss against Georgia.

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