College Football Sleeper Candidates That Could Surprise in 2016

College Football Sleeper Candidates That Could Surprise in 2016

Written by on August 16, 2016

While everyone knows the names of the top national championship title contenders like Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State there’s plenty of money to be made one the 2016 college football season gets underway by online betting on one of the top ‘sleeper’ candidates to make a big splash this coming season. This fun-filled look at my top sleeper candidates heading into the 2016 regular season will both, inform and entertain!

Analyzing The College Football Sleeper Candidates That Could Surprise in 2016

 
 

Ole Miss 45/1

Ole Miss Rebels was the only team in the country to beat national champion Alabama last season, so that alone should say something about the kind of talent the rebels possess, starting with gifted signal-caller Chad Kelly.  After going 10-3 SU and a solid 8-4-1 ATS a year ago, I think anything is possible for Ole Miss in 2016!

Iowa 40/1

Iowa (12-2 SU, 7-6-1 ATS) played fantastic football in 2015 in recording a dozen wins and narrowly missing out on a shot at reaching the four-team CFB Playoff. While the Hawkeyes need to replace starting running back Jordan Canzeri, Iowa has an elite defense that is led by gifted lock-down cornerback Desmond King, the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award winner. Scoring on the Hawkeyes will be no easy task this coming season.

Wisconsin 125/1

The Badgers (10-3 SU, 6-7 ATS) won a surprising 10 games in Paul Chryst’s first season a year ago and look poised to at least equal that win total in 2016. Wisconsin finished the 2015 season ranked 79th in total offense (378.6 ypg) and 81st in scoring (26.7 ppg), but I believe the Badgers’ 95th ranked rushing attack is going to get an immense boost from the return of talented running back Corey Clement, the heir apparent to record-breaking tailback Melvin Gordon. If Chryst can find a suitable replacement for graduated starter Joel Stave, the Badgers could soar!

Arkansas 100/1

Arkansas (8-5 SU, 8-5 ATS) returns just five starters on offense and needs to replace quarterback Brandon Allen, running back Alex Collins, but the Razorbacks do have a pair of All-SEC performers in wide receiver Drew Morgan and tackle Dan Skipper. After falling to 58th in total defense one year after ranking 10th nationally, I think the Razorbacks could surprise in a big way if they can improve their defense this coming season.

Texas Tech 400/1

Texas Tech (7-6 SU, 7-6 TS) was absolutely phenomenal in finishing second in total offense and second in scoring (45.0 ppg) in 2015 as they set a new school record for points scored under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Better yet, the Red Raiders return a ton of talent starting with underrated quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The 6-3, 215-pounder threw for a whopping 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns and could very well lead the nation in passing in 2016. Texas Tech was a complete mess on defense a year ago in giving up an insane 43.6 points per contest (125th). However, some improvement on defense – and another explosive offensive campaign, lead me to believe the Red Riders are a prime sleeper candidate heading into 2016.