Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Boo! These 4 college football teams should scare everyone left on their schedules

As Halloween arrives, these dark horses are heating up just in time to shuffle the CFP race.

South Carolina QB Lanorris Sellers | David Jensen/GettyImages

It takes more than a creaky floor, a haunted house or a phone call from Ghostface to scare college football teams.

Here’s what might do the trick: teams that enter November with enough momentum to either push themselves into the College Football Playoff discussion — or could push their opponents out of it.

Here are a few teams that should spook the opponents left on their schedules.

South Carolina (4-3, 2-3)

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There were fewer seats hotter than the one under Shane Beamer when the Gamecocks were routed by Alabama on Sept. 26.

They enter Saturday’s visit to Oklahoma undefeated in regulation in October, and their last three games have made them believers in Columbia. They followed an overtime loss to Kentucky Oct. 3 with consecutive wins over top-25 opponents, beating then-No. 17 Florida in the Swamp and then-No. 16 Tennessee at home.

They only have one ranked team remaining — No. 3 Georgia — and could wind up making a strong statement in the SEC standings during the final month.

Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1)

Wake Forest WR Jack Foley | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 14th-ranked Demon Deacons might be the sneakiest team in the top 15. They’re outside most 12-team College Football Playoff projections and the Atlantic Coast Conference is shaping up as a likely one-bid league.

But their favorable schedule — along with nifty QB Gio Lopez under center — gives them a shot at a strong stretch run. The only top-25 opponent left on the schedule is No. 19 SMU in two weeks.

Winning that one would give them the inside track to a rematch with top-ranked Miami in Charlotte in December — and, remember, Wake Forest was competitive in a 33-20 home loss to Miami on Sept. 18.

Cincinnati (5-2, 2-2)

Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Has Scott Satterfield figured things out in Cincinnati? Behind a top-10 rushing offense (235 yards per game), the Bearcats threw a scare into the rest of the Big 12 with a 37-24 victory over then-No. 13 Texas Tech that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.

Over the final month, they will have plenty of chances to shake up the Big 12’s uncertain playoff picture — will the league get three teams in? Two? Just one? – with matchups against No. 18 Houston and No. 8 BYU ahead.

Oregon State (5-2, 3-0)

Oregon State QB Braden Atkinson | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Every defense in the reconfigured Pac-12 ought to be wary of the Beavers’ offense — and everyone else ought to be thankful they don’t yet have to deal with QB Braden Atkinson and WR Jesse Legree.

Oregon State has reeled off five wins in a row after opening the season 0-2 against Big 12 teams. They boast the nation’s best passing offense (385 ypg) and the fourth-highest scoring offense (42.7 ppg).

All eyes will be on their visit to No. 20 Boise State on Nov. 14 — a matchup that could decide who wins the new-look league and, potentially, who has the inside track to the CFP spot reserved for the top Group of Six team.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

You may like

What to Make of Jazz's 4-Game Losing Streak After Loss to Blazers

si.com 39 minutes ago

James Worthy makes bold prediction about former Rockets forward

si.com 44 minutes ago

Baylor Football Report Card: How Each Position Graded in Win VS. UCF

si.com 44 minutes ago

The one player still struggling for the Miami Heat

si.com 48 minutes ago

Avdija scores 24 and Lillard has 22 as Portland rolls over Utah 112-90

foxsports.com 1 hour ago

Can the Pacers survive with Haliburton sidelined?

si.com 1 hour ago