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- 5 dark horse college football teams that could sneak their way into the national championship conversation</p>
<p>Nick BrombergAugust 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM</p>
<p>Could a team outside the preseason top 10 win the national title? The odds of someone coming out of (relative) obscurity to win the College Football Playoff are pretty low, but the 12-team playoff gives more teams the opportunity for a dream season.</p>
<p>Here are five teams that can't be considered favorites for the national championship but have a small chance of making a title run.</p>
<p>Illinois -</p>
<p>Odds to win national championship: 200-1</p>
<p>College Football Playoff odds: +500</p>
<p>The path to the Big Ten title game and potential playoff magic is a lot more plausible than you think for Illinois. The Illini got a good schedule draw by avoiding Penn State, Oregon and Michigan and hosting Ohio State on Oct. 11. Games against USC, at Indiana and at Washington aren't exactly easy, but Illinois shouldn't be overmatched in any of them.</p>
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<p>The Illini are one of the most experienced teams in college football after a 10-3 season in 2024. The defense's top five tacklers are back, including edge rusher Gabe Jacas. He had eight sacks. That side of the ball gave up eight points fewer per game than it did in 2024.</p>
<p>If Luke Altmyer takes another step forward as a passer, Illinois could be cooking with gas. Altmyer completed 61% of his passes for 2,717 yards and 22 TDs in 2024. The Illini do have to replace their top two receivers, but transfer Hudson Clement could step in and play a big role.</p>
<p>Illinois' odds reflect that they're a long shot to win the title. But the Illini would have been in playoff contention a year ago with just one more regular-season win.</p>
<p>Miami -</p>
<p>Odds to win national championship: 30-1</p>
<p>College Football Playoff odds: +200</p>
<p>A win over Notre Dame in Week 1 could be the jumpstart Miami needs for a special season. The Hurricanes are still looking for their first College Football Playoff appearance ever. Why not 2025?</p>
<p>A healthy Carson Beck could easily replicate his 2023 season at Georgia provided that Miami has adequately replenished its receiving corps. Even if the passing game takes a bit to get going, a strong offensive line should help a lot.</p>
<p>The defense could improve with better health and transfer portal additions and allow fewer than 20 points per game for the first time since 2018 last season. A manageable ACC schedule sets up well for the Hurricanes to get into the conference title game and position themselves for a first-round bye.</p>
<p>Can Carson Beck lead Miami to the College Football Playoff? (Matt Kelley/Getty Images) (Matt Kelley via Getty Images)Oklahoma -</p>
<p>Odds to win national championship: 50-1</p>
<p>College Football Playoff odds: +500</p>
<p>The odds of Oklahoma going undefeated are extremely, extremely low. But one of the toughest schedules in the country could set the Sooners up well for a playoff road. And getting through that schedule with two or fewer losses means Oklahoma will be a high playoff seed.</p>
<p>The defense brings back eight starters after giving up just 318 yards a game in 2024. Simply being as good as it was a season ago should be enough to make Oklahoma a playoff-caliber team with an improved offense.</p>
<p>And that offensive improvement is what will determine Oklahoma's success. If new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer can continue the production they put up at Washington State, Oklahoma is cooking with gas. Mateer had 44 total TDs in 2024 and the offense also adds former Cal running back Jaydn Ott. There are a lot of ways that Oklahoma's season can go in 2025, but there's a very high ceiling here.</p>
<p>Texas Tech -</p>
<p>Odds to win national championship: 100-1</p>
<p>College Football Playoff odds: +400</p>
<p>Texas Tech's case for winning the national title hinges on whether it hit the transfer portal lottery.</p>
<p>You can't win the lottery unless you buy a ticket. And Tech spent a ton in the portal. The Red Raiders spent millions in NIL money to bring in players like CB Tarrion Grant (Purdue), OT Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State) and LB David Bailey (Stanford). Wide receiver Micah Hudson also returned after briefly transferring to Texas A&M.</p>
<p>The influx of talent could propel the Red Raiders to the top of a wide-open Big 12. Especially with another big season from QB Behren Morton. He threw for over 3,300 yards and 27 TDs in 2024. With Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin back, Morton's numbers could even get better.</p>
<p>But for Tech's transfer movement to pay off, the defense has to get better. That was a big goal of the offseason spending. The Red Raiders can't allow 35 points per game again and have any hope of being a contender.</p>
<p>Utah -</p>
<p>Odds to win national championship: 125-1</p>
<p>College Football Playoff odds: +500</p>
<p>Is it as simple as better quarterback play for Utah to challenge for the national title? It'll probably take more than that, but it would go a long way.</p>
<p>Utah quarterbacks threw for fewer than 200 yards per game and completed just 56% of their passes in 2024. Enter Devon Dampier, who threw for nearly 2,800 yards and rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 scores at New Mexico a season ago. Dampier should be a massive upgrade for a Utah offense that will likely resemble the scheme he ran in 2024. Former New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck is now calling plays for the Utes.</p>
<p>The defense brings back three of its top four tacklers and is always excellent under Kyle Whittingham and Morgan Scalley. Texas Tech, Arizona State and Kansas State all visit Salt Lake City, too. You don't have to squint too hard to see how this could be a bounce-back season in a big way and a fitting sendoff for Whittingham if he decides to retire.</p>
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