CFP Chaos Incoming? Meet the Underdogs Ready to Crash the Playoff
The College Football Playoff bubble is getting jam-packed, and a few unranked programs are elbowing for space in the conversation. As perennial powerhouses stumble through early-season upsets, schools like Indiana, SMU, and Arizona State are building résumés strong enough to crash the postseason party. Each team is leveraging marquee wins, emerging stars, and favorable scheduling quirks to sneak into the committee’s late-season discussions. Besides the strength of schedule and style points at a premium, these outsiders know they must dominate every possession to keep their names on the playoff radar. The margin for error is shrinking, and that makes their climb even more fascinating.
Indiana, SMU, and Arizona State Make Their Case
Indiana is the feel-good story of the Big Ten, riding a 4-0 start that includes a gritty overtime win against Illinois and a road upset of Wisconsin. Quarterback Malik Washington has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, giving the Hoosiers a balanced attack that travels well. In the ACC, SMU boasts one of the nation’s top scoring offenses at nearly 40 points per game, fueled by quarterback Preston Stone’s quick-strike passing game and a defense that quietly ranks in the FBS top 20 in third-down stops. Meanwhile, Arizona State is thriving under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham, while dual-threat QB Jaden Rashada is finally healthy and averaging over 300 total yards per game, and a restored secondary has produced seven interceptions in four contests. None of these teams can afford a single misstep, but each has the talent and momentum to make November chaos extremely possible.
What It Takes to Break Through
For these potential “party crashers,” the path forward is equal parts opportunity and peril. Indiana faces upcoming matchups with Michigan and Penn State that could double as statement wins or season-ending setbacks. SMU must navigate a tricky late-October trip to Tulane, while Arizona State still must survive a brutal Pac-12 slate featuring Oregon and Washington. The strength of the record and eye-test dominance will matter as much as win totals, meaning blowouts against mid-tier opponents could prove decisive when the committee compares résumés. My take is that Indiana’s physical style and Malik Washington’s poise give them the best shot to reach December, still in the mix. SMU’s offense is explosive enough to steal a New Year’s Six berth, while Arizona State looks a year away, but all three are dignified enough to make life miserable for the bluebloods clinging to playoff spots.
