Down Goes Brown is one of the best reads at The Athletic. And one of my favorite stories every year is the bandwagon hopper’s guide to the NHL playoffs.
Well, in college football, the regular season essentially serves as something like a playoff with contenders and pretenders emerging and falling over the course of three months. So with the season quickly approaching — and with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery — it’s an opportune time to create the bandwagon hopper’s guide to the 2022 college football season.
NC State
2021 record: 9-3
2022 prediction: No. 2 in the ACC Atlantic
Why you should get on board: Come on, when was the last time NC State won the ACC? Even though the Wolfpack are getting plenty of preseason buzz, you won’t have to deal with the guilt of jumping on the bandwagon of a program that’s been winning at elite levels. And there’s plenty of on-field incentive to join this year with the return of standout quarterback Devin Leary and an experienced, deep defense that ranked 14th nationally in points allowed per game in 2021. The schedule doesn’t seem too daunting either. Last season, NC State won nine games and snapped its eight-game losing streak to Clemson. Can the Pack end a conference title drought that goes back to 1979?
Why you shouldn’t: Come on, when was the last time NC State won the ACC? Talent isn’t usually the Wolfpack’s problem. They’ve had plenty of dudes during this drought but have routinely failed to live up to expectations. NC State was close to an Atlantic Division title last year, too, but lost a one-point game to Miami and a back-and-forth, three-point affair to Wake Forest, the eventual division winner. The Clemson game is on the road this year, and the Tigers could be a Playoff team if they can solve their offensive woes.
Bottom line: The term “NC State S—” wasn’t created for nothing. Just when hope starts to rise at NC State, it’s generally been followed by disappointment. On paper, hopping on this bandwagon is appealing, but just know there’s been only one 10-win season in program history, a 43-year conference title drought, zero top-10 finishes all-time and plenty of heartbreak. You’ve been warned.
Kansas State
2021 record: 8-5
2022 prediction: No. 5 in the Big 12
Why you should get on board: To avoid the awkwardness of Oklahoma or Texas winning the Big 12 on their way out of the league. Plus, you don’t want to join the Baylor bandwagon because the Bears are the defending champs. Also, there’s a thought that Kansas State is a program full of grinders who maximize their talent. There’s some truth to that, but don’t sleep on the top-end talent on this roster. The Wildcats placed a league-high six players on the preseason All-Big-12 team. Deuce Vaughn rushed for 1,404 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and is one of the best running backs in the country. And the quarterback is Adrian Martinez, a transfer from Nebraska who dealt with consistent heartache as he tried to turn things around in Lincoln. Wouldn’t it be fun to see him go out on a high note?
Why you shouldn’t: Collin Klein did a good job as the interim play caller in a 42-20 win against LSU in the Texas Bowl, but that interim tag has been removed and he’s the full-time offensive coordinator. That’s always a bit of an unknown. And while Martinez may be surrounded by a stronger supporting cast at Kansas State, the turnover problem he had at Nebraska is a very legitimate concern. There are also three starters to replace along the interior of the offensive line.
Bottom line: The Wildcats are consistent. You know they’ll produce a strong running game, a solid defense and great special teams. So if this is the bandwagon you choose, you’re getting a dependable product. If you’re looking for something a little more, like a conference championship, then you’re betting on everything going right and the program elevating its recent ceiling. That hinges on Martinez, who turned the ball over 48 times in four years at Nebraska, so this is all about your own risk assessment.