5 Longshot Teams That Can Upset the College Football Playoff

Colorado Buffaloes

National Championship Odds: +23000

This is the acknowledgment that few people want to make -- the Colorado Buffaloes could make some noise in the College Football Playoff. 

An early-season loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers dashed the Buffs' playoff hopes, and then a loss to Kansas State put them on life support. Still, the unapologetic group led by Shedeur Sanders responded with a convincing win as road underdogs. 

With a 3-1 record in conference play, Colorado could still make the Big 12 Championship Game and earn an automatic bid to the postseason. From there, we trust Deion Sanders to prepare his team for whatever the competition throws at them.

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Kansas State Wildcats

National Championship Odds: +10000

One of three Big 12 teams to crack the list, the Kansas State Wildcats are proving to be an underappreciated contender for the National Championship. But we should see their odds rise as the season approaches its end. 

Kansas State has been incredibly efficient on both sides of the ball. Led by DJ Giddens on offense, the Wildcats are averaging 35.0 points per game on 428.1 yards while giving up just 20.6 and 333.4, respectively, on defense. That type of production could upend some of the heavyweights at the top of the National Championship futures board. 

The Wildcats continue to move up the futures board, but their ascent isn't complete yet. This could be the year that we see them climb to the top.

BYU Cougars

National Championship Odds: +25000

It's almost criminal how low the BYU Cougars' National Championship price is. One of only ten teams still undefeated, the Cougars continue to prove that they're better than the betting odds imply. 

BYU is quietly building a championship pedigree. Armed with playmakers on both sides of the ball, the Cougars have taken care of business at every turn. Their undefeated run nearly concluded in Week 8, but their championship-caliber offense pulled through late, completing the come-from-behind win. 

At least one Big 12 team will make the College Football Playoff, and BYU is showing that it deserves that spot. Even if it doesn't claim the conference championship, the Cougars could still be included in the 12-team field.

Indiana Hoosiers

National Championship Odds: +6500

The Big Ten expansion has had a profound impact on the conference dynamics. The usual suspects haven't been able to compete with the best from the west, opening the door for the Indiana Hoosiers to pull off the ultimate upset. 

Undefeated through Week 8, Indiana is positioned to head to its first Big Ten Championship Game in school history. The Hoosiers last claimed the conference championship in 1967, but back then, the tiebreaker determined the winner.

No one can hang with the Hoosiers. They have the second-ranked scoring offense and seventh-ranked scoring defense, complemented by equally impressive underlying metrics. Indiana's stiffest test lies on the horizon. However, as we see in its futures price, a growing chorus of bettors believes in the Hoosiers.

Colorado Buffaloes

National Championship Odds: +23000

This is the acknowledgment that few people want to make -- the Colorado Buffaloes could make some noise in the College Football Playoff. 

An early-season loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers dashed the Buffs' playoff hopes, and then a loss to Kansas State put them on life support. Still, the unapologetic group led by Shedeur Sanders responded with a convincing win as road underdogs. 

With a 3-1 record in conference play, Colorado could still make the Big 12 Championship Game and earn an automatic bid to the postseason. From there, we trust Deion Sanders to prepare his team for whatever the competition throws at them.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.