College football's 12 surprise teams in 2023, per Phil Steele

With so much talent in college football this season, there are bound to be some surprises. Phil Steele just listed his picks for the 12 surprise teams in 2023.

Steele’s list leaves no stones unturned. With powerhouse programs and unassuming schools equally represented, anybody can be an underdog this season. After all, dark horses are what make college football Saturdays shine so bright.

Look below to see if your team made the cut for Steele’s 12 surprise teams.

1. Wisconsin

Steele only needs two words to explain this pick: Luke Fickell. The 49-year-old coach ushers in a new era of Badgers football, previously transforming Cincinnati football. In 2021, Fickell propelled the Bearcats to an unprecedented appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals and the first-ever 13-0 regular-season record in Bearcat history.

Fickell isn’t the only new face in Wisconsin. Phil Longo was named the Badgers’ new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Jan. 3, 2023. Longo was the OC at North Carolina for three years prior. Under talented new leadership, don’t be surprised when the Badgers bury their opponents.

2. Texas A&M

It’s time, Aggies. After going 5-7 last season and 2-6 in conference play, the Aggies are feeling the heat. Nonetheless, this could be the year head coach Jimbo Fisher turns it around. After all, from 2019 to 2022, Texas A&M had a top 10 recruiting class yearly.

The Aggies have the talent to shock the nation. With rising quarterback Conner Weigman and star wide receivers Evan Stewart and Ainias Smith, Texas A&M’s offense could give foes headaches. Mix in the addition of veteran play-caller Bobby Petrino, and the Aggies might finally get over the hump.

3. Texas

Although the Longhorns aren’t escaping anybody’s radar, Steele believes they’re still underrated. It’s difficult to blame him. Texas has one of the best quarterback rooms in the country, with starter Quinn Ewers backed up by five-star Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy.

To pile on, head coach Steve Sarkisian returns 15 starters, including all five members of the 2022 offensive line. With such immense protection, the Longhorns’ cannons might have all day to fire. Entering his third season as UT’s head coach, Sarkisian is on the edge of the promised land.

4. Oregon

Bo Nix could carry the Ducks to new heights this season. People quickly forget that Oregon was in the hunt for a CFP spot until Nix suffered an ankle injury late in a November matchup with Washington. The Ducks blew the lead, the game, and their spot in the CFP.

If Nix can stay healthy, he’ll be even more dangerous this season. Oregon added receivers Traeshon Holden (Alabama) and Tez Johnson (Troy) through the portal this offseason. With Dan Lanning entering his second season as defensive coordinator, expect the Ducks to take a massive leap forward.

5. Washington

It’s fitting for the Huskies to be on this list, as they have perhaps the most surprising coach in college football. In his Kalen DeBoer’s leading the Huskies, he helmed the Huskies to an 11-2 overall record, including a 3-0 mark against ranked teams and a win over Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl. 

Besides the man behind the play calls, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is Washington’s most important piece. The 6-foot-3 quarterback threw for 4,641 yards last season. With 1,000-yard receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan returning, Penix and his Huskies could push the envelope even further this season.

6. Utah

Utah could be fantastic. Utah could be mediocre. Hence, the surprise. The Utes’ season will depend on their health. Utah quarterback Cam Rising suffered a torn ACL in Utah’s loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Earlier in the season, Rising’s No. 1 target, tight end Brant Kuithe, also tore his ACL.

If the two can recover, expect big things from Utah. The program has won back-to-back Pac-12 Championships and is looking for its first appearance in the CFP. With head coach Kyle Whittingham, the longest-tenured coach in the Pac-12 Conference, leading the charge, history is inevitable.

7. Iowa

Unlike Utah, Iowa seems like the opposite of a surprise to most college football fans. Steele believes the program, known for its sluggish pace and wars of attrition, could shock the nation this season.

In fairness, the program added Michigan transfer Cade McNamara this offseason at quarterback. Along with McNamara, the Hawkeyes added seven other transfers, including wide receiver Kaleb Brown (Ohio State). If defensive coordinator Phil Parker can replace star linebacker Jack Campbell, keep an eye on Iowa.

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s first year in the post-Lincoln Riley era wasn’t ideal. The team went 6-7 and 3-6 in conference play. Yet, not all hope is lost for head coach Brent Venables. After all, the Sooners weren’t as bad as their record indicates, losing five games by one score.

With quarterback Dillon Gabriel returning, Oklahoma should have a high-powered offense again. Running backs Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk will only heat up this fiery offense. After building defensive support in the portal, Oklahoma might return to glory sooner rather than later.

9. Oregon State

Oregon State is an interesting case. The Beavers added former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei this offseason. However, they weren’t the only suitors. The Los Angeles Dodgers also drafted Uiagalelei in the final round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

While most insiders expect Uiagalelei to stick with football, the ultimatum creates an unstable element in the Oregon State camp. If Uiagalelei does join the Beavers this season, he’ll be well-protected. Four of the team’s five starting offensive linemen will return. If the Beavers play their cards right, they could change the direction of the college football stream.

10. North Carolina

Quarterback Drake Maye is enough to warrant a spot on this list. Yet, there’s more to the Tar Heels than a talented QB. UNC ranked second in the ACC in yards per game and third in scoring. Those numbers could increase with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey taking over.

UNC’s fate will ultimately fall on its defense. Luckily for the Tar Heels, it won’t be the same defense that allowed 30.8 points a game last fall. North Carolina returns linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols while also folding in transfer additions Armani Chatman (Virginia Tech) and Alijah Huzzie (ETSU).

11. TCU

The national runner-up is not often listed as a “surprise” team. Yet, here we are. Many insiders have the Horned Frogs outside their preseason top 25 altogether. To be fair, the team returns just 11 starters and must replace Heisman candidate Max Duggan.

Nonetheless, Steele suspects the Horned Frogs might not be out of the picture so easily. Head coach Sonny Dykes added former five-star recruit RB Trey Sanders (Alabama) this offseason, and several talented wide receivers. With the weight of its returners being on defense, the Horned Frogs’ iron curtain could be better than ever this season.

12. Tennessee

Tennessee is a powder keg waiting to blow, and QB Joe Milton III might be the spark. Experts have praised Milton’s ability’s this offseason. Although he only started two games last season, Milton completed 53-of-82 (.650) passes for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions. Not bad.

The Volunteers’ defense is the question mark in their equation. In 2022, Tennessee gave up 289.5 passing yards per game, ranking 127th out of 131 FBS teams. However, BYU transfers linebacker Keenan Pili (190 career tackles) and cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally could change UT’s defensive outlook.

The longshot pick

If you’re looking to get risky, keep Pittsburgh close to your heart. The Panthers have quietly recorded 20 wins and back-to-back finishes in the top 25 over the last two years. With transfer quarterback Phil Jurkovec returning to his hometown, Pitt could finally draw some attention.

Obviously, it won’t be easy. Pitt’s defense returns just five starters after ranking No. 2 nationally in sacks (3.69 per game) and No. 23 overall in total defense last season. However, never doubt head coach Pat Narduzzi has no ace up his sleeve.

Even if none of Steele’s surprises leave the world in awe, there will be no shortage of jaw-dropping football this season. With more talent flooding into the NCAA each year, college football fans are watching a gridiron golden age.