In 2022, Texas Christian became the most unique team we’ve seen in the short history of the College Football Playoff. The Horned Frogs weren’t a traditional powerhouse or a juiced-up Group of Five team, like — ahem — Cincinnati. Out of the middling pack of the Power Five, TCU rose, becoming the darlings of the college football landscape. It took down Michigan in the CFP semifinals advancing to the National Championship game, one of two teams along with 2013 Auburn to make it after posting a losing record the year prior.
Before the 2022 season, both Missouri and TCU were similar in terms of success.