Analysis: 5 teams that could wreak havoc on conference title races
As we reach the midway point of the college football season, title races have started to take shape. Teams like Washington and Clemson have emerged as clear conference favorites, however it only takes one upstart squad to spoil a contender’s aspirations.
With that in mind, here's a look at teams from each of the Power 5 conferences that could play spoiler during the back half of the season.
Big Ten
Northwestern (3-3) 3rd place in Big Ten West
The Wildcats had a rough start to their season, losing three of four, before rebounding in a big way with victories over Iowa and Michigan State. The offense is clicking, as running back Justin Jackson rushed for 359 yards and three scores across those two wins.
This budding momentum couldn’t come at a better time. While the Big Ten West might come down to Nebraska and Wisconsin, the Wildcats still have a game against the Badgers. A win over Wisconsin could create a logjam at the top of the division, helping Northwestern claw into contention.
Big 12
West Virginia (5-0) 3rd place in Big 12
West Virginia has flown under the radar, but a decisive 48-17 win over Texas Tech was eye-opening in showing that the Mountaineers’ defense is legit. The Red Raiders usually score at will, yet West Virginia held them to 345 total yards and only 1.3 yards per rush.
The Mountaineers play stout defense in a league that's mostly abandoned it. They only surrender 19 points per game - good for 25th nationally. However, the Mountaineers aren't yet conference favorites, as they still must face the brunt of their tough competition - matchups against TCU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Baylor remain.
That gauntlet will likely end West Virginia's run at an undefeated season, however the defense is good enough to win at least a couple of those games. The Mountaineers should play a huge role in shaping the Big 12 race.
Pac-12
Washington State (4-2) 1st place in Pac-12 North
The Pac-12 is one of the conferences with a clear-cut favorite: Washington. However, Washington State is in good shape after defeating UCLA, Stanford, and Oregon as part of a four-game winning streak.
If the Cougars can win out, or lose just one more game, the Apple Cup becomes a chance for them to derail Washington’s Pac-12 championship hopes, and possibly its playoff dreams as well. For an upstart rival, Washington State is hitting its stride at the right time to make this scenario a reality.
SEC
LSU (4-2) 3rd place in SEC West
Since Ed Orgeron took over as interim head coach, LSU has played with a relentless intensity it lacked earlier this season. In the last two games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 87-17. While the competition has been fair at best - Missouri and Southern Mississippi - don't underestimate what these blowouts can do for teams in need of confidence.
LSU still possesses an insane amount of talent, and running back Derrius Guice has done an excellent job filling in for Leonard Fournette, who’s still fighting through a nagging injury. The Tigers will have plenty of opportunities to play spoiler in upcoming games against Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A&M. LSU is peaking at the right time, so these games - which a few weeks ago seemed like sure defeats - should be much more competitive.
ACC
Coastal Division winner
Despite its turnover struggles, Clemson seems like a safe bet to reach the ACC Championship game. Its opponent will have at least two losses, as the top teams in the Coastal Division - North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Pittsburgh - all have a pair already.
The Tigers should be a lock for the playoffs, unless the Coastal Division champion upsets them in the ACC title game. If that occurs, it could leave Clemson on the outside and create a massive shakeup within the playoff picture.