Last year we had our fair share of teams that heavily exceeded our preseason expectations and teams that fell well below them. However, most of the time you can pick out a team or two that will jump higher than people will give credit to. They usually run middle-of-the-line and have some factors that go in their favor for them to bounce back. Lets look into what teams show to be the most likely dark horses for the 2019 season:
ACC
The Pick: Virginia Tech
This one was a real toss up between the ACC foes on the Coastal side with Miami and Virginia Tech. As much as we would like to jump with Transfer U and the turnover chain, there are some factors that might not play their way. The fact that Miami is transitioning to Manny Diaz, an unsure QB outlook still remains, and a schedule with some unforgiving stretches. I do think the Hurricanes bounce back, but fall short of being the dark horse. Now with the Hokies, Virginia Tech returns 17 starters this season, while still building on Coach Fuente’s tenure. Also, the transfer portal ended up hurting the Hokies less than we had thought with Eric Kumah most likely being the worst loss. Expect the Hokies to jump to at least two wins more than their last season’s tour.
Big 12
The Pick: Iowa State
This was the obvious choice from a team that could have easily been a nine or ten win team last season if things went their way. The Cyclones schedule is primarily easy when looking away from the Oklahoma-Texas stretch in November. Also, the team as a whole is going to make waves offensively with their wide receiver group. The Cyclones did lose Hakeem Butler (a 6″6 monster), but replace him with speed and preciseness from their younger receivers. This team could make their way up to be the West Virginia type team of this season if they use their spring practice to their best abilities. Watch out for Matt Campbell and his younger Cyclone squad to mix the bowl of the Big 12.
Big Ten
The Pick: Michigan State
Yes, let me hear more of the famed Scott Frost and how his squad will now dominate the Big Ten. I think not, I am more leaning towards the Spartans to bounce back big this season. If you have followed the Big Ten over the past ten years, or more specifically Michigan State, you see that Mark Dantonio doesn’t take a bad season lightly. Every time the Spartans have dipped three games worse than their last season they improve by at least five games each time. Coincidence? I think not. The Spartans will find a way to get at the worried Buckeyes, over hyped Wolverines, and lost Nittany Lions. I won’t only go to say that Michigan State will improve a lot in terms of play next year, but I have them winning the Big Ten over the likes of Michigan and Ohio State.
PAC-12
The Pick: Utah
I am not entirely sure if the Utes count as a Dark Horse, since they won their division last year, but I do think they will improve more than others in the conference. The PAC-12 South will return another bad slew of teams that will fail to contend with a surging Utah program. The best chance to knock off the Utes would be USC that isn’t full-proof yet. Also, the Utes only lose infrastructure on the offensive side with linemen and linebackers on defense. I feel confident that Coach Kyle Whittingham can draw up a good strategy to get younger players confident in solidifying their spots on the squad for the 2019 season. I can see the Utes creating some hype close to what Washington State did last year, but maybe be able to fully cap the hype in the end. Sorry Cougar fans, it had to be said.
SEC
The Pick: Tennessee
You can go on and call me crazy already, I will be expecting that from you. However, this isn’t a bad pick as people would like to paint it. The fact that the Volunteers went 5-7 was a complete shock to most of us. And now with some more time to create a culture, Jeremy Pruitt will be able to fit the pieces together to start winning again for Tennessee. And when you view the Volunteers schedule, there are some daunting games likes Alabama and Georgia, but nothing in-division has proven to be an impossible challenge for the Volunteers. I would like to think the Volunteers could improve to an 8-4 or 9-3 season in the SEC East. This is a prominent Tennessee program that finds its way to the top eventually and I think we will be nearing that soon.
Do you agree with our predictions on the dark horses? Let us know below in the comment section and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @redcupcollegesports.
Photo Credits: https://247sports.com/college/utah/LongFormArticle/Utes-to-the-NFL-Pro-Day-Preview-130581295/
