College Football Teams that could surprise you this season

Cinderella!

Last year the Cincinnati Bearcats became the College Football equivalent to Cinderella, making it to the College Football playoffs. So now that we know it can be done, are there any teams ready to make that run like the Bearcats did last year? If you want to bet on college football, check out the top sports betting sites! We will also take a look at some power conference teams that could make a surprising run.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on college football!

4.9/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.8/5

Bet365 Review

Bet $5 & Get $150

Bet now

Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

4.7/5

Caesars Review

Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost

Bet now

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Houston Cougars

The Cougars had an outstanding season last year, losing in the AAC Conference Championship game to the Cincinnati Bearcats, and they look to be even better this season. The Cougars returned over 75 per cent of their defense last season, and, more importantly, they return Quarterback  Clayton Tune, who threw 30 touchdown passes and only ten interceptions. Stud running back Alton McCaskill also returns; he was a near-1,000 yard rusher with 16 TDs last fall. The Cougars do not play the Bearcats in the regular season, which will help them make it to the AAC Championship game again. The Cougars will host an improved Kansas Jayhawks team and will also play Texas Tech; the concern here will be the Cougars schedule when it comes to making it to the College Football playoffs? The Schedule may not be tough enough for them to get to that final four, but they are a team capable of winning 12 games.

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee seems like a team on the cusp of possibly regaining their glory days. The Vols were 7-6 last year, and those seven wins included a nice win over the number 18th ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The Vols’ offense will be led by quarterback Hendon Hooker, who nearly eclipsed 3,000 yards passing last fall with 31 TDs and just three picks, Hooker is an efficient, competent quarterback, and the Volunteers offense will be in good hands with him at the helm. The biggest question with this team will be on the defensive side of the ball, where they allowed well over 30 points per game last season. Two early road games at LSU and Pitt will tell us whether the Vols are ready to leap back into contention in the SEC?

BYU Cougars

This team has the prerequisite schedule to pull off what Cincinnati did last year. The schedule is challenging, but it gives the Cougars a shot to make a playoff run. The schedule includes games at USF, host Baylor, and goes to Oregon in the first three weeks. Then to Las Vegas against Notre Dame, hosts SEC contender Arkansas, goes to Liberty and Boise State and closes at Stanford. BYU will be stacked on both sides of the ball as they bring back quarterback Jaren Hall, their top two receivers, most of its offensive line, and almost all its defense. If the Cougars are sitting at 3-0 after the first three games, get ready for this team to take a wild ride to playoff contention. Check out the top new sportsbooks!

Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Big Ten West looks to be there for the taking, and as of right now, I would make the Gophers the favorite to come out of the West. The Golden Gophers lost last year to Illinois and Bowling Green, but they also upset Wisconsin, so to say this team was hard to get a read on last year is an understatement. The Gophers return quarterback Tanner Morgan will be one of the top signal-callers in the country. Morgan’s numbers have fallen off the last two years because the talent level has dropped. Still, I look for Morgan to have a tremendous season, and a healthy Mo Ibrahim in the backfield will be critical to the Gophers making a run at a Big Ten West Championship.

Check out the top sportsbook providers for betting on football

1.

4.9/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

2.

4.8/5

Bet365 Review

Bet $5 & Get $150

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

3.

4.7/5

Caesars Review

Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

4.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. Home or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

5.

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets if it wins!

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 1/11/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/4/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Utah Utes

It’s been a while since a Pac 12 team has made the college football playoffs, but that could all change this year as the Utah Utes seem to get closer every year. The Utes bring back critical production in quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas, who scored 47 touchdowns combined last fall. They will have to replace some vital parts on the defensive end as they have lost stars such as linebackers Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell, the Utes have recruited well over the last few years, though, and that gives me hope that the Utes could have a breakthrough season.