Last season, the College Football Playoff had an ultimate dark horse make the final four in Cincinnati. Dark-horse teams are not considered playoff favorites at the start of the season. In fact, they are considered long shots to make it into the final four.
So who are some dark-horse candidates for next year's playoff? On this list, you won't see Alabama, Clemson, Georgia or Ohio State. The other four teams in the top eight of DraftKings' national championship odds—USC, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Michigan—were not eligible to be dark horses.
The following teams just might surprise everyone next season and make a final four run. Let's dive in!
Utah Utes
If Utah hadn't lost nonconference games in September last season against BYU and San Diego State, it would have been a playoff team. The Utes dropped a game to Oregon State, too, in October. But they finished 8-1 in conference play to win the Pac-12 South, and they went on to win the Pac-12 by defeating Oregon 38-10 in the conference championship game.
In fact, that marked the second time that Utah beat Oregon handily last year. The Utes also destroyed the Ducks 38-7 in November. That was Oregon's second loss of the season and knocked it out of playoff contention. Utah finished the season with a 48-45 loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
Heading into 2022, the Utes have all the pieces for a playoff run. Returning is starting quarterback Cameron Rising, who threw for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. He rushed for another 499 yards and six scores. Leading rusher Tavion Thomas will be back as well. Utah did lose receiver Britain Covey to the NFL draft, but head coach Kyle Whittingham landed some key transfer portal guys in Syracuse tight end Landon Morris, Idaho tight end Logan Kendall and Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate.
Utah opens the season with a road trip to face a struggling Florida program. If the Utes beat an SEC team on the road, they could find themselves in the playoff conversation early.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Look, I know picking anyone other than Alabama to come out of the SEC West is foolhardy, but the Razorbacks could have a big year.
Head coach Sam Pittman has put together one heck of a turnaround in Fayetteville. His first season in 2020, Arkansas finished 3-7. One year later, Arkansas went 9-4, capped off with an Outback Bowl victory over Penn State. With some key returning players and a navigable schedule, the Razorbacks could have an even bigger season in 2022.
Arkansas will get back quarterback KJ Jefferson, who threw for 2,676 yards, 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Jefferson led the Razorbacks in rushing, too, with 664 yards and six touchdowns.