Ranking the College Football Playoff Dark Horse Candidates in 2025

1 of 8 Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal gestures after defeating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesThe Hurricanes are a dark horse despite being just a game away from the Playoffs in 2024. That's because no one quite expects this Miami team to reload after losing the potential No. 1 overall pick in Cam Ward. However, with Carson Beck in the fold, and a roster ready to repeat their success at every level, this team should make waves in the ACC and potentially earn the automatic bid by winning the conference. The Black Knights are poised to be the top Group of Five team once again, just like they may have been in 2024 had it not been for Ashton Jeanty. With Bryson Daily set to return and the Army offense as formidable as ever, they'll get the benefit of the doubt from playing within the AAC once again, and could earn the G5's bid in the Playoffs all the same. Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Deion Sanders on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe Buffs were a tiebreaker away from making the Big 12 Championship Game last season, and in a weakened season in the Big 12 this year, they could work their way back this season. With Kaidon Salter set to take over for Shedeur Sanders, the most important position is set for Colorado. The team next in line in the ACC besides Clemson or Miami, the Jeff Brohm-led Cardinals are ready to stake their claim in the conference. In fact, an old-school, Big East rivalry could ultimately dictate which ACC school earns the conference's automatic bid. If Arizona State stunned folks by coming out of the Big 12 and into the Playoffs last season, the Red Raiders could be that team this year. If they can avoid injuries, it's said that TTU's roster is the most expensive this offseason via the portal, and we saw how that worked for Ohio State last year. Joey McGuire is as good a coach as any, and this team should be able to score on anyone. If not now, then when, Lincoln? The Trojans have to win this season, they have to compete, and they have to make noise in the Big Ten for Lincoln Riley to feel safe or even secure in his role. It should be said, this team may be better suited to have someone like Jayden Maiava at QB than they ever were with Miller Moss, and that gives Riley the benefit of the doubt here, given his QB history. Nov 23, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer directs his team against the Wofford Terriers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesThe only reason SC is down this far on the list of dark horse teams is because we weren't sure we can call them a dark horse. SC was a game away from making the Playoffs last year and they should only be better in 2025. Can we call them a dark horse UNTIl the make the playoffs? Similar to the team right below them (South Carolina), the Gators aren't quite a dark horse in the sense that they have a Heisman candidate at QB and an incredible defense in line for 2025. They're a dark horse because they've proven they can't quite compete in all 12 games enough to make the Playoffs just yet. However, if the roster plays up to their potential on paper, they'll make the Playoffs and be a dark horse no more in 2025.