10 surprise teams that could make the College Football Playoff in 2017

BYU could end the season undefeated and still be left out of the playoff, but if the Cougars go unblemished, they shouldn't be left out. They'll face LSU in Houston, then rival Utah and Wisconsin both in Provo in consecutive weeks. They also get Boise State and must travel to Mississippi State. Win those games and it should be home free the rest of the way. The Cougars are an experienced team that has some major questions (replacing Jamaal Williams is chief among them), but the schedule is favorable.

Like Georgia, the Gators have the advantage of not playing in the SEC West. Florida welcomes former Notre Dame signal caller Malik Zaire, who will look to send Florida to its third straight SEC East title. The schedule is tough, but none of the biggest games are on the road. Due to the weird deal with LSU last year, Florida gets an extra home game. LSU as well as Tennessee, Texas A&M and Florida State head to Gainesville (with Georgia and Michigan at neutral sites). A solid team with a great schedule, if Florida gets to the SEC Championship with one or two losses and tops Alabama? You're in, baby!

Georgia seemingly is always a program that is on the brink of getting back to elite status. This year is no different. The opportunity is there for a special season if the Bulldogs can navigate a tough but favorable schedule. They travel to Notre Dame, Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia Tech, plus their Cocktail Party against Florida in Jacksonville. Get through that with minimal damage and upset the SEC West champ in the conference championship, and they could find themselves in the playoff. Backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel can carry them there.

The Big 12 is in a bit of flux, and a team like K-State could take advantage. Bill Snyder is still one of the best coaching minds in the country and provides welcome stability in a league that just lost Bob Stoops and constantly sees Texas change coaches. The Wildcats get Oklahoma and West Virginia at home and could be undefeated heading to a showdown at Oklahoma State before Thanksgiving. Most of their high-scoring offense is back, including QB Jesse Ertz, who led the 'Cats in passing and rushing last season. Remember that the top two teams will face off in the revamped Big 12 title game. 

Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson is back and could be better if he continues his work as a more proficient passer. The Cardinals have the ability to win the ACC title, hosting Clemson and then heading to Florida State in October. The rest of the schedule is manageable, yet tough enough (at N.C. State, at Kentucky, at North Carolina) that even if they lost a game they still have a shot to get a playoff spot if they win the ACC title.

Yes, Notre Dame. Sure this team was such a disappointment a year ago that most have soured on Brian Kelly and the Irish. But looking at their losses (double-overtime to Texas, three-point losses to Duke and Virginia Tech, by 7 to N.C. State in a rainstorm, a point to Navy), it wasn't like they were getting creamed. Reset with a typically tough but not overbearing schedule. The Irish will have to win 11 games at least, but if they do so then they could crash the playoff party.

Every year, we have a team from the Group of 5 that is set up to be playoff party crasher if it can just run the table. Last year, it looked as if Houston could be that team. This year, it is South Florida. Quarterback Quinton Flowers is a double-threat guy who will cause problems for defenses. USF's defense is a ball-hawking bunch that will give Flowers and the high-powered offense more shots to score points. Add in former Texas head coach Charlie Strong and you have a man with a chip on his shoulder. Buckle up for these Bulls.

Wait! What? Those Longhorns? The ones who went 5-7 last year and lost to Kansas? Yes. Essentially the entire defense is back as well as an offense that had its moments last season (good and bad). This team will build on that, and new head coach Tom Herman will be tasked to make it sparkle. The Big 12 has some issues so there's an opening for someone to shock the league. Most likely, the Horns are setting up the foundation this year, but if things break their way, who knows?

The Hokies' road to an ACC championship is easier than most of the other contenders. First, they play in the much easier (and chaotic) Coastal Division and will have to only face Clemson during the regular season (in Blacksburg). Justin Fuente has not only continued the successes of Frank Beamer, but has taken hold of this program and made it his own. If the Hokies can get reliable production at the quarterback spot, they can make a run.

Much of the power in the Big Ten is in the East; Wisconsin plays in the West. The Badgers could realistically be 10-0 when they invite Michigan in to Camp Randall in November. Win the West, beat the Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State in the Big Ten title game and they could find themselves in the playoff. The defense will be strong, and while the offense has a lot to replace, Wisconsin still employs a powerful, tough line and bruising backs.