College football is gearing back up, and in the era of the College Football Playoff we waste no time predicting who will end up as one of the final four teams playing for the title. Most pundits have Alabama stamped in as one of those teams with the usual suspects (Ohio State, Florida State, USC, Clemson) on many other lists.
As you know, that doesn't mean the expected participants are the only ones with a shot at the title. Who knew Washington was going to make the playoff last season? Michigan State surprised us in 2015. Even Ohio State was a bit of a surprise when it won the title in 2014.
So who could be the surprise team in 2017? Which team lying in the weeds has the ability to get hot, pull off a few upsets and set itself up for one of those prized four spots? Maybe the team has the right superstar, the experience or the fortuitous schedule to make a run at a title.
Here are 10 schools that could pull off a surprise berth.
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