College football is a sport where everything can change in a heartbeat. One year, you’re at the bottom of the barrel; the next, you’re back in the running for the College Football Playoffs. For these teams, last season didn’t go as planned. However, this year brings a fresh start and plenty of potential. We’re 10 days away from the CFB kickoff, and we think we’ll see some wild swings in the rankings.
Looking to place some bets this CFB season? These are some teams you might want to keep a close eye on.
The Baylor Bears are coming off a season they’d rather forget. Who could blame them? Finishing 3-9 in a year where nearly everything went wrong, it wasn’t a good year.
Head coach Dave Aranda enters his fifth season knowing that another year like the last could spell trouble for his tenure. But don’t write off the Bears just yet. The arrival of quarterback Dequan Finn, a transfer from Toledo, could be the catalyst for a much-needed turnaround.
Finn brings a steady hand to the Baylor offense. This will easily be their biggest improvement. He completed 63% of his passes last season, racking up 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns. With a talented group of receivers, including Monaray Baldwin, Ketron Jackson Jr., and transfer Ashtyn Hawkins, Baylor’s offense should be more dynamic and athletic. If the offensive line holds up, this unit could surprise just about every sports analyst.
Despite making huge strides with offense, the key to Baylor’s success this season lies with the defense. The best way to describe last year’s defense is abysmal.
Ranking 110th nationally in yards allowed, it’s clear that defensive coordinator Matt Powledge has his work cut out for him. But with playmakers like Caden Jenkins in the secondary and a focus on improving the pass rush, we think there’s a bit more room for optimism. If the defense can improve even slightly, Baylor could be one of those teams that go from doormat to dangerous, making them a good bet in many matchups this season.
The Utah Utes are set to make quite a splash in their first season in the Big 12. They’re leaving behind a competitive Pac-12 to enter a conference where their defense, we believe, should dominate. With a schedule that isn’t as crazy as what they faced in the Pac-12, Utah could very well make a bid for the Big 12 title, even if it is only their first year.
Cameron Rising returns for his seventh eligible season at quarterback, providing Utah with a seasoned leader under center. Rising will have plenty of help from tight end Brant Kuithe and running back Micah Bernard.
We think the offense will be consistent, if not spectacular. However, it’s the defense where Utah really shines.
Last season, they ranked 12th nationally in yards allowed and 13th in points allowed, metrics that no other Big 12 team came close to matching. Take that defense and put it against the Big 12 as opposed to the Pac-12, and we might see an even better outlook.
As the Utes get comfy with their new conference, look for them to capitalize on what could be a relatively easy schedule.
Aside from a tricky Week 4 matchup against Oklahoma State, Utah might not face a serious challenge until the postseason. This makes them a strong pick in futures bets, especially for a conference title. They’re currently the favorites with +320 to take the Big 12.
Nebraska is a program desperate to return to its former glory. We’d love to see it happen and Matt Rhule might be the coach to get them there.
In his first season (2023), Rhule led the Cornhuskers to a 5-7 record — their best finish in four years. This season, there’s hope for even more improvement. Much of this is thanks in part to five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Raiola will likely experience some growing pains, as most new recruits do, but we think the Nebraska defense should keep the team competitive.
Last season, the Huskers finished 11th in the nation in yards allowed per game, a statistic that almost always gets overlooked. With Raiola getting more comfortable as the season progresses, Nebraska could find themselves in the mix for a solid bowl game.
The biggest downside is that Nebraska’s schedule isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Road games at Indiana and Ohio State could be major speed bumps, and a brutal final three games against USC, Wisconsin, and Iowa will test their resilience late into the season.
But if you’re betting on their early season games, Nebraska could be a sneaky good pick, especially before the odds catch up to their potential. While they’re +5500 to win the Big Ten Championship, they’re -8000 for the opening game against UTEP. But then again, it’s only UTEP.
Texas A&M has been one of the most frustrating teams in college football over the past few seasons. They’ve consistently failed to meet expectations under Jimbo Fisher despite the massive contract he signed.
But with Fisher now gone, the Aggies are looking to turn the page with new head coach Mike Elko and a promising young quarterback in Conner Weigman. Could this be the combination the Aggies need to succeed?
Weigman’s first season as a starter was cut short by a foot injury, but in the four games he did play, he looked solid. Completing 69% of his passes for 979 yards and eight touchdowns, Weigman has the tools to lead a potent offense.
He’ll be supported by a solid trio of receivers in Noah Thomas, Jahdae Walker, and Moose Muhammad III, giving Texas A&M plenty of firepower. The offense is going to be nothing short of exciting to watch.
On defense, the Aggies are led by edge rusher Nic Scourton. If that’s not a good starting point, they also have a defensive-minded coach with Elko. We think they should be able to tighten things up on that side of the ball.
If the Aggies can stay healthy and avoid the mental lapses that plagued them the last few seasons, they could surprise a lot of people — us included. Look for them to be a team that covers spreads, especially in games where they’re considered underdogs.
Mario Cristobal’s tenure at Miami has been underwhelming so far. The team has a 12-13 record over his first two seasons. But with pressure mounting, this could be the year the Hurricanes finally break through — at least we hope so.
Huge upgrades through the transfer portal have Miami all set for a potential bounce-back season.
Quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez highlight the new arrivals on offense, while defensive ends Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron bolster a defense that needs to improve.
Miami’s season opener against Florida will be a tough test, but if they can navigate the early part of their schedule, they could be sitting pretty by their bye week during week 7.
The key stretch for Miami will be back-to-back games against Louisville and Florida State during weeks 8 and 9, respectively.
If the Hurricanes can win one or both of those matchups, they’ll be in great shape heading into the final four games of the season.
Cristobal’s job might depend on how this team performs, so expect them to play with a sense of urgency. That makes them a team to watch, and potentially, a smart bet in key games. It’s not a far stretch to see them make a run for the ACC given they have +400 odds for the championship. They’ll still have to climb over FSU and Clemson to get there.
This season, these five teams are all set for a big turnaround.
Whether it’s a new quarterback, a revamped defense, or a fresh start under a new coach, each of these squads has the potential to not just improve but make a run for their respective conference championships.
If you’re looking to place some smart bets this college football season, keep an eye on Baylor, Utah, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Miami. They could make you some money while surprising the rest of the country.