College Football Playoff predictions are out in full force, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to come up with a true Playoff sleeper.
Consider that the top five teams in Sporting News' preseason top 25 — Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma — have combined for 15 of the 20 Playoff appearances (75 percent) the last five years.
Is there room for a party crasher this season? Here are five teams, one from each Power 5 conference, that could generate a discussion in 2019.
MORE: Using preseason polls to predict 2019 CFP
SEC: Auburn
SN rank: 15
Why it could happen: Because it's Auburn, and you never really know what's going to happen under Gus Malzahn. Joey Gatewood or Bo Nix could solidify the quarterback position; when the Tigers have that handled, they can beat anybody. The defensive line will be tough around Derrick Brown and Nick Coe, who combined for 24 tackles for loss last season. If the Tigers beat Oregon convincingly in the opener, they could jump back into the top 10 after just one week.
Do you really believe that? Auburn plays at Texas A&M, Florida and LSU before November — the rest of the games are at Jordan-Hare Stadium. That includes mega-matchups against Georgia (Nov. 16) and Alabama (Nov. 30). If Auburn gets to the final month at 7-1 or better, then watch out.
Pac-12: Utah
SN rank: 17
Why it could happen: Utah returns quarterback Tyler Huntley, running back Zack Moss and a talented defensive line that features Leki Fotu and Maxs Tupai. The Utes are always solid under Kyle Whittingham, but this team should be poised to take over the Pac-12 South Division again. The return of former offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig will only help with the continuity. This is the media's preseason pick to win the Pac-12, and Whittingham knows how to deal with those expectations.
Do you really believe that? It comes down to sweeping regular-season road games at BYU, USC and Washington — and not having a head-scratching loss that would allow the committee to ditch a one-loss Pac-12 champion.
POWER 5 PRIMERS: ACC | SEC | B10 | B12 | P12
ACC: Syracuse
SN rank: 18
Why it could happen: Syracuse won 10 games last year in Dino Babers' third season, and new quarterback Tommy DeVito played enough last season to avoid being overwhelmed early. Safety Andre Cisco is one of the most talented defensive backs in the country. Syracuse was one of six Power 5 teams that averaged more than 40 points per game last season, along with Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and West Virginia. That suggests Syracuse can at least score with anybody in the FBS.
Do you really believe that? The Orange have split the last two matchups against Clemson, and the Tigers visit the Carrier Dome on Sept. 14. It's a little early in the season for an all-in game, but the Orange have that opportunity in prime time. The rest of the schedule is doable, especially if the Orange get the head-to-head with Clemson.
Big 12: Iowa State
SN rank: 20
Why it could happen: Iowa State is picked to finish third in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma and Texas, and the question now becomes whether Matt Campbell can break through into that top two. The Cyclones have won eight games each of the last two seasons, and there's anticipation around the development of quarterback Brock Purdy in 2019. Iowa State is 5-4 against top 25 teams the last two years, including a 3-1 record against the top 10. Campbell is an emerging big-game coach.
Do you really believe that? Iowa State had to climb out of a 1-3 start last season. The Cyclones can't have that happen again, and that means breaking a four-game losing streak to in-state rival Iowa. If they can win that one and split the two-game stretch at Oklahoma (Nov. 9) and at Texas (Nov. 16), Ames will be off the charts in November.
MORE: Ranking coaches 1-130 for 2019 season
Big Ten: Nebraska
SN rank: 25
Why it could happen: The Huskers were picked to win the Big Ten West, and it's only Scott Frost's second season. That's a nod to the belief sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez will develop into a Heisman Trophy contender, and that Nebraska could experience a similar breakthrough to the one Frost led at UCF in his second season in 2017. The Huskers have two high-visibility chances to prove it in September, at Colorado (Sept. 7) and at home against Ohio State (Sept. 28) in the Huskers' Big Ten home opener.
Do you really believe that? If Nebraska is 4-1 or better after September, then a trip to Indianapolis is possible knowing Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa all visit Memorial Stadium this year. The offense will be fine, but we're looking for a better Blackshirts defense. Nebraska allowed 39.6 points per game over losses against Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Ohio State and Iowa last season. The Huskers won't win the Big Ten West unless the defense shows improvement in those games.
