We all know about how great Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State are, but what about the teams that have an outside shot of getting into the College Football Playoff? 

We’ve got you covered.

Texas

National Championship Odds: 40-1

I had to do it, didn’t I? 

The Longhorns will likely begin the season just inside the Top 25 when the official polls come out, as they’ve seemingly done the past couple of years before plummeting out. 

However, now that Tom Herman has gotten his feet wet and brought in the third best recruiting class in the nation, this year has the potential to be different. 

Sam Ehlinger will likely enter his sophomore year as the guy behind center; also likely being a guy Texas can build its program upon. He’ll need to be close to perfect to make an unexpected run to the College Football Playoff and the running game will need to pick it up. Ehlinger led the team in rushing yards with 385 to his credit. That needs to change.

And, after all, the Longhorns just flat out lost close games last year. They lost to USC, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State by a combined 11 points. They’ll need to win those games this year to make some noise. 

Why Texas won’t make the College Football Playoff: 

Sam Ehlinger and Tom Herman aren’t ready for the spotlight yet. They are simply not good enough to return Texas to national prominence. 

Why Texas will make the College Football Playoff:

Todd Orlando’s defense continues to cause offensive coordinators to lose their minds on how to put up points against Texas. The young secondary also lives up to the hype and wreaks havoc on quarterbacks.

Key Games:

Sep. 15 vs. USC, Oct. 6 vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 27 at Oklahoma State, Nov. 3 vs. West Virginia

Stanford

National Championship Odds: 60-1

It may be an obvious sleeper, but Stanford is most definitely on the outside looking in as it stands. 

If Bryce Love wasn’t coming back, the Cardinal wouldn’t even be a blip on my radar, but that’s the kind of impact this guy makes when he’s on the field for them. 

KJ Costello will have to show improvement and do more for this offense, and if he does, I like their chances of having a big year in Palo Alto. 

David Shaw is coming off one of the worst seasons in his career at Stanford, and the struggles came early last year. Stanford went 1-2 in its first three games, which is the exact thing it will have to avoid doing this year when you look at its schedule. 

The Cardinal have San Diego State and USC right out of the gate again in 2018 and their start to the season will be crucial for where they end up later on when it’s all said and done.

Why Stanford won’t make the College Football Playoff:

KJ Costello simply doesn’t do enough for this offense which ranked 98^th in passing yards last year. 

Why Stanford will make the College Football Playoff:

The defense continues to lead the way for David Shaw and the Cardinal. On the other side of the ball, Bryce Love is a Heisman contender who gashes defenses week in and week out.

Key Games: 

Aug. 31 vs. San Diego State, Sep. 8 vs. USC, Sep. 29 vs. Notre Dame

West Virginia

National Championship Odds: 85-1

Will Grier and David Sills are back and the offense will have no problem putting up big numbers on the scoreboard. The offensive line is also stacked to give Grier plenty of time to deliver his throws.

The defense, however, is questionable to say the least and will determine whether this team has what it takes to make a serious run. It’s a defense that’s dealing with a number of departures and injuries.

All that being said, there is help on the way from top recruit Dante Stills who's stepping in at defensive end. Former five-star recruit and USC transfer Kenny Bigelow is coming into the mix on defense as well.

The Mountaineers are quickly patching up a defense that’s limping into the season, and that’s why they have what it takes to defy the odds.

Their schedule is also favorable as they get most of the other top Big 12 schools at home this year.

Why West Virginia won’t make the College Football Playoff:

The defense’s problems turn out to be too much to handle and the offense can’t put up 50 points against everyone to make up for its shortcomings.

Why West Virginia will make the College Football Playoff:

Will Grier and David Sills.

Key Games:

Nov. 3 at Texas, Nov. 17 vs Oklahoma State, Nov. 23 vs Oklahoma

Virginia Tech

National Championship Odds: 100-1

Yes, the Hokies could have what it takes to make it all the way to the College Football Playoff.

The craziest part of it all is we may have our answer after the first week of play as Virginia Tech travels to Tallahassee to play the Seminoles on Labor Day—and the Hokies are catching Florida State at the right time. 

Jimbo Fisher is gone and Willie Taggart is in, with this being his first game. If the young and talented Josh Jackson gets an early big win like that, the Hokies could hit the ground running with momentum. Virginia Tech picking up that first game inevitably means it would be 5-0 after a lackluster non-conference schedule—leading us to a blockbuster showdown against Notre Dame.

Another key in the Hokies’ schedule? The Clemson Tigers are nowhere to be found. The Hokies’ other two regular season losses last year came from Georgia Tech and Miami—both on the road. They get both at home this year. 

Virginia Tech has a hungry quarterback and a heck of a coach in Justin Fuente. Do not be alarmed if this Virginia Tech team makes some loud noises.

Why Virginia Tech won’t make the College Football Playoff:

Josh Jackson is still a young quarterback and he continues to learn and mature. Opening up with a Florida State loss could sink this ship before it sails. That is a daunting first game on the road.

Why Virginia Tech will make the College Football Playoff:

Despite losing a significant number of defensive players for various reasons, the defense will continue to be the Hokies’ strong suit, particularly along the defensive line. They return one of the best fronts in the nation and will turn defense into offense as they’ve always done.

Key Games:

Sep. 3 at Florida State, Oct. 6 vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 17 vs. Miami

South Carolina

National Championship Odds: 200-1

The Gamecocks? Really? Yes, really. 

Will Muschamp is coming off a rather successful 9-4 season with South Carolina, and the conditions in the SEC East are becoming even more favorable. Florida and Tennessee will be with first-year coaches, making this the perfect time for the Gamecocks to potentially produce a breakout year. 

However, their biggest game of the season is probably their second. Sensing a theme here? Early games matter for these teams. The Georgia Bulldogs come to Columbia in what could be the pseudo-SEC East title game. Jake Bentley is back and so is a healthy Deebo Samuel, which should be one of the best QB-WR duos in the nation.

Why South Carolina won’t make the College Football Playoff:

Will Muschamp still isn’t ready for his breakout year into the national spotlight as a head coach and the Gamecocks falter early against Georgia in the second week.

Why South Carolina will make the College Football Playoff:

The defense continues to stifle SEC foes. South Carolina gave up 20.7 points per game last year, good enough for 25^th in the land. Also, Jake Bentley hooks up with Deebo Samuel early and often.

Key Games:

Sep. 8 vs. Georgia, Oct. 13 vs Texas A&M, Nov. 24 at Clemson