Under the radar teams to make the CFP:
Northwestern
Northwestern
Reasons for hope: Justin Jackson is a dependable running back, and Clayton Thorson put together an encouraging sophomore year following a slow September. The defense—despite losing Ifeadi Odenigbo and Anthony Walker Jr.—should also improve thanks to a collection of returning starters and experienced reserves.
Biggest obstacles: What is the offense's upside? Northwestern was no better than average at creating 10-, 20- or 30-yard gains and well below average at anything beyond that. The 'Cats averaged 36.9 points in seven wins and 13.3 over six losses. Dropping five games when allowing 24 points or less must have been extremely frustrating, and there's no guarantee that trend changes in 2017.
CFP chances: For a program that's never won more than 10 regular-season games, the CFP is a super-extra lofty goal. But if Northwestern navigates a soft nonconference slate, clips Wisconsin on the road and stuns Penn State on homecoming, the schedule eases up significantly. This is a "keep them in the back of your mind" team.