New York City, NY.- We’re now less then 50 days away from college football kickoff!
Headed into this season, there’s so many talented squads that could be legitimate contenders. The road to glory is the path least traveled. Some have to run the gauntlet this year, while others got blessed with a weaker strength of schedule. Unfortunately, some of these schools share a conference with the national powerhouses, so there’s always an uphill battle throughout conference play.
My criteria for this list: unexpected “Dark horse” conference championship odds, improvement through the off-season, and schools I find fun headed into the year. Yes, there will be some safe choices, but also some bold predictions listed.
With that being said, let’s break down my top 5 “sleepers” leading into this season!
Tennessee Volunteers
The long awaited Nico Iamaleava era of Tennessee football officially begins this year!
Following a strong performance in the Citrus Bowl, Iamaleava is poised to take the reins of a consistent SEC contender. The former 5-star recruit dominated a depleted Iowa defense through a lethal passing game and a wild rushing performance. Nico now has multiple elite weapons at his disposal, including returning WR’s Bru McCoy and Squirrel Wright, as well as Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell.
Tennessees just as elite on the other side of the ball, as the Vols defense is fortified by future top 10 pick, James Pearce. Pearce is looking to build off a dominant 2023 season and take the crown as the top defensive player in college football.
Schedule Breakdown: 10-2
vs Chattanooga (W)
@ NC State (W)
vs Kent State (W)
@ Oklahoma (W)
@ Arkansas (W)
vs Florida (W)
vs Alabama (L)
vs Kentucky (W)
vs Miss. State (W)
@ Georgia (L)
vs UTEP (W)
@ Vanderbilt (W)
James Madison Dukes
The SunBelt Conference is as competitive as ever! Honestly, one could go on record and debate the SBC’s competitiveness vs multiple P4 conferences, but that’s a conversation for a different day.
Getting back on track, despite being in the SunBelt for such a short time, James Madison has proven to be one of the top dogs in the conference. In just two seasons at the FBS level, the Dukes made their first bowl game. James Madison is going to rally that previous success behind a very strong Portal class to continue to secure themselves as one of the top G5 programs in the country.
My biggest concern for JMU leading into this season is the majority of their tough games are in enemy territory. I’m very interested to see how that plays out.
Schedule Breakdown: 8-4
@ Charlotte (W)
vs Gardner Webb (W)
@ UNC (L)
vs Ball State (W)
@ ULM (L)
vs Coastal Carolina (W)
@ Ga. Southern (L)
vs Southern Miss. (W)
vs Georgia St. (W)
@ Old Dominion (W)
@ App. State (L)
vs Marshall (W)
Virginia Tech Hokies
Unlike the aforementioned SunBelt Conference, the ACC is VERY top heavy leading into this year. Pre-season, I think he title contenders consist of Miami, FSU, Louisville, and then it’s anyone’s game. If there was ever a year for an ACC team to come out of nowhere and shock the conference, its this season.
Virginia Tech is quietly building a culture of excellence. Junior QB Kyron Drones is expected to continue improving as a passer. Since joining the Hokies two seasons ago, Drones has developed into an all around QB, while cementing himself as a top passer in the ACC. VT is returning 20 starters from 2023, meaning culture is at an all time high.
Schedule Breakdown: 9-3
@ Vanderbilt (W)
vs Marshall (W)
@ Old Dominion (W)
vs Rutgers (W)
@ Miami (L)
@ Stanford (W)
vs Boston College (L)
vs Georgia Tech (W)
@ Syracuse (W)
vs Clemson (L)
@ Duke (W)
vs Virginia (W)
Florida Atlantic Owls
Year two of the Tom Herman era at FAU is here, and it’s (hopefully) spectacular. The Owls have eyes on improvement from a rough 2023, and they have all the tools to do so.
Despite losing multiple starters to the pros/portal, FAU addressed all of their needs with a strong 2024 recruiting class (high school and portal). If you walk through the FAU facilities, any corner you turn you’ll find a player or coach with high major experience. To further solidify progression takes, FAU boasts one of the “weakest” strength of schedules in college football.
FAU currently holds a roster that Owls’ fans are not used to seeing, as the majority of projected offensive starters did not play down in Boca Raton last season. There’s no reason that Coach Herman and doesn’t get back to his winning ways in the very foreseeable future.
Schedule Breakdown: 10-2
@ Michigan State (L)
vs Army (W)
vs FIU (W)
@ UConn (W)
vs Wagner (W)
vs North Texas (W)
@ UTSA (L)
vs USF (W)
@ East Carolina (W)
@ Temple (W)
vs Charlotte (W)
@ Tulsa (W)
Texas A&M
The Mike Elko era begins at Texas A&M. Following multiple overhyped seasons under former HC Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies decided to go a different direction this off-season in hiring Elko.
During the Fisher era at A&M, he was praised for numerous elite recruiting classes. Now, Coach Elko gets to use Jimbo’s arsenal of weapons to battle the SEC’s finest. Luckily for the TAMU faithful, the Aggies dodge multiple bullets this season by avoiding the SEC’s top teams during the regular season.
Schedule Breakdown: 7-5
vs Notre Dame (L)
vs McNease State (W)
@ Florida (W)
vs Bowling Green (W)
vs Arkansas (W)
vs Missouri (L)
@ Miss. State (L)
vs LSU (L)
@ S. Carolina (W)
vs NM State (W)
@ Auburn (W)
vs Texas (L)
There we have it! My top five improved “Sleeper” teams leading into this upcoming college football season!
Did I miss any school? Let me know in the comments.