In any college football season, it's easy to point out a certain player or group that shaped conferences races and the national title conversation.

They are, in short, the X-factors of the season.

Given the importance of the position, quarterbacks tend to land the most consideration, especially from a national perspective. However, a positional unit and an entire defense also stand out as potentially defining groups for the 2022 campaign.

Sam Hartman's Health

Sam Hartman played a key role in Wake Forest's ascent last season. The dual-threat quarterback racked up 4,594 yards of total offense and accounted for 50 touchdowns, guiding the Demon Deacons to the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson has regained its spot as the division favorite, but Hartman gave the Deacs a chance to compete.

Unfortunately, a non-football-related medical issue has sidelined him indefinitely. Wake Forest said the timeline for his return is uncertain.

Without him, the Deacs are still likely to defeat VMI, Vanderbilt and Liberty. But the Sept. 24 showdown with Clemson—for which Wake would've been an underdog anyway—is an entirely different story.

Bo Nix, Oregon

The highest tier of the Pac-12 seems relatively set.

Utah, the defending champion, has an experienced group led by returning quarterback Cam Rising and steady coach Kyle Whittingham. USC's new-look group is a wild card, but Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams are a heck of a coach-QB combination. Mario Cristobal left Oregon in good shape for Dan Lanning as well.

However, Lanning has much to prove—as does Bo Nix. The first-year coach brought in Nix from Auburn, where he flashed excellence but lacked high-end consistency.

Perhaps a reunion with offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, who coached at Auburn in 2019, will propel Nix closer to his ceiling. If not, the Ducks won't be able to dethrone the Utes or keep up with USC.