Five Programs That Can Crash the College Football Playoff Party, Including LSU Football

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has become the gold standard in the sport, replacing the old BCS system with a more inclusive format to crown the national champion. However, the road to the four-team playoff is fraught with competition, unpredictability, and challenges. Every season, teams from all over the country contend for a spot, but there are a select few programs that consistently stand out as potential spoilers – those that can disrupt the perceived “elite” teams and potentially crash the playoff party.

One of the most intriguing and dangerous programs to consider in this conversation is LSU Football, a program that has proven time and again that it can rise to the occasion and dethrone favorites when it counts most. However, LSU is just one example of several programs with the power to crash the CFP party. Let’s examine five programs, including LSU, that could make waves and spoil the playoff hopes of other teams, shaking up the landscape of college football.

1. LSU Football (Louisiana State University)

Recent Success: LSU football, known for its rich history of success, is one of the premier programs in college football. The Tigers have produced numerous NFL stars and have established themselves as a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive conferences in the country. Under the leadership of former head coach Ed Orgeron, LSU stunned the college football world in 2019 with a dominant run to a national title, led by Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow. That championship victory served as a reminder that LSU can not only compete with the best programs but can also outperform them when it matters most.

Despite Orgeron’s departure after the 2021 season, LSU has continued to be a competitive force under new head coach Brian Kelly. In the 2022 season, Kelly led the Tigers to a notable 10-4 record, showing that the program can still contend with the heavyweights of the SEC. Kelly’s recruiting acumen, combined with the team’s historically strong defense and talented playmakers, make LSU a team to watch in future seasons.

Why LSU Can Crash the CFP Party: LSU’s strength lies in its ability to recruit top-tier talent and play a brand of football that is capable of taking down the giants of college football. The SEC, with its dominant teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn, presents a challenging environment, but LSU has the resources and talent to make noise in the conference and secure a spot in the playoff.

Under Kelly, LSU has the potential to become even more of a consistent contender. The Tigers boast a talented roster across the board, including key positions like quarterback, running back, and defensive line. If the team can continue to develop and build chemistry, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for LSU to make a run at a playoff spot and shake up the CFP party.

X-Factor: LSU’s X-factor is its defense. With a tradition of producing elite defensive players, the Tigers have the ability to shut down high-powered offenses in key games. If the defense can stifle opposing offenses while the offense clicks, LSU could be a team capable of sneaking into the playoff and ruining the dreams of other more established programs.

2. Clemson Football

Recent Success: Clemson has been one of the most dominant programs of the past decade. Led by head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers have been a perennial contender in the CFP, winning two national championships (2016 and 2018) and regularly appearing in the playoff picture. The program has produced some of college football’s best talent, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive star Trevor Lawrence, and has had a sustained level of excellence that few other programs have matched in recent years.

However, Clemson’s dominance has waned a bit in the past couple of seasons. The 2021 season marked a down year by Clemson’s standards, with the Tigers failing to make the CFP and losing two regular-season games. Despite the setback, Clemson remains a formidable program due to its resources, recruiting power, and winning culture.

Why Clemson Can Crash the CFP Party: Clemson’s ability to reload rather than rebuild makes it a constant threat to the CFP party. Even though the Tigers have experienced a slight dip, they remain a competitive force in the ACC, and their talent level is still among the best in the country. With talented players at key positions, including a strong defense and playmaking wide receivers, Clemson has the tools necessary to make a run at the playoff.

Additionally, Clemson’s experience in big-game situations is invaluable. Swinney has led the Tigers to multiple playoff appearances and national championships, meaning that his team has the mental toughness and poise to perform under pressure. In a season where teams like Alabama or Ohio State might stumble, Clemson could very well take advantage of the opportunity and earn a playoff spot.

X-Factor: Clemson’s X-factor is its quarterback play. While DJ Uiagalelei struggled to reach his full potential during his time at Clemson, the Tigers are always dangerous when they have a dynamic quarterback leading the offense. If Clemson finds its next star signal-caller, the Tigers could be back in the national conversation in a big way.

3. Oregon Football

Recent Success: Oregon football has been a major player in the Pac-12 for years, thanks to its innovative offensive schemes and elite recruiting. Under head coach Mario Cristobal, the Ducks reached the College Football Playoff in 2014 and were consistently ranked in the top 10, boasting some of the most explosive offenses in college football. Though Cristobal left for Miami in 2021, Oregon brought in former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning to take over, and the results were immediate. In Lanning’s first season, Oregon was competitive in the Pac-12, finishing with a respectable 9-3 record.

The Ducks have shown they are capable of contending with the best teams in the country, and with the right balance of offensive firepower and defensive discipline, they could once again become a CFP contender.

Why Oregon Can Crash the CFP Party: Oregon’s ability to recruit high-level talent on both sides of the ball makes them a serious threat in the CFP race. The Ducks have long been known for their offensive prowess, with a high-tempo, high-scoring attack led by dynamic quarterbacks and running backs. But under Lanning, Oregon has made strides on defense, an area that will be key to their long-term success.

The Pac-12, while competitive, lacks the depth of the SEC or Big Ten, and Oregon could very well win the conference with a strong season. If the Ducks can win a conference championship and keep their losses to a minimum, they could easily be in the playoff mix.

X-Factor: The X-factor for Oregon is its quarterback play and ability to stay healthy. With a history of developing top quarterbacks, the Ducks will need solid play at the most important position on the field. If Oregon can develop a playmaking quarterback capable of leading them to big wins, they could sneak into the playoff and surprise some of the nation’s top teams.

4. Penn State Football

Recent Success: Penn State has been one of the more consistent teams in the Big Ten, with head coach James Franklin at the helm since 2014. Franklin has turned the Nittany Lions into a team that can compete with the likes of Ohio State and Michigan, consistently finishing in the top 25 and maintaining a strong recruiting pipeline. Though Penn State has yet to break through and win a Big Ten title during Franklin’s tenure, they have been in the conversation for a playoff spot several times, including a narrow miss in 2016 when they won the Big Ten but were left out of the CFP.

Despite some recent setbacks, Penn State continues to be a program that is well-coached and has a strong mix of veterans and young talent. They are always a team that is just a few key victories away from being in the playoff race.

Why Penn State Can Crash the CFP Party: Penn State’s biggest strength is its balanced approach to football. With a strong defense, capable quarterback play, and a solid running game, the Nittany Lions have all the ingredients to make a run at the Big Ten title and beyond. The Big Ten, while dominated by Ohio State and Michigan, is not a guaranteed lock for either program, and Penn State could take advantage of any slip-ups from their rivals.

If Penn State can pull off a few key victories, especially in a challenging conference, they could find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot. With a solid defense and a capable offense, the Nittany Lions have the potential to crash the CFP party.

X-Factor: Penn State’s X-factor is quarterback play. The Nittany Lions have been searching for a consistent and dynamic signal-caller, and if they can find one, they could take the next step as a national contender. The development of their quarterback, combined with continued strong play from their defense, could push them into the playoff conversation.

5. UCLA Football

Recent Success: UCLA football has quietly been improving under head coach Chip Kelly. Known for his innovative offensive schemes that revolutionized the game during his time at Oregon, Kelly has been working to turn UCLA into a more competitive force in the Pac-12. While the Bruins have yet to make a major breakthrough in the playoff race, they have been steadily improving and could be poised for a breakthrough season. In 2022, UCLA finished with a 9-4 record, showing that the program is capable of competing at a high level.

Why UCLA Can Crash the CFP Party: UCLA’s success in the Pac-12, combined with Kelly’s ability to develop high-level quarterbacks and offensive talent, makes them a team to watch. The Pac-12 remains wide open, and if UCLA can continue to improve its defense while maintaining its potent offense, they could win the conference and put themselves in the playoff hunt.

With key players in place, UCLA has the potential to rise above the competition and disrupt the established powers of the conference, making them a prime candidate to crash the CFP party.

X-Factor: UCLA’s X-factor is its quarterback play. If UCLA can develop an elite quarterback, the Bruins could be a serious threat to make a run at the CFP. With Kelly’s offensive genius, a standout quarterback could elevate the program to new heights.