When the 2017-18 men's college basketball season began, the Loyola of Chicago Ramblers were nowhere close to being projected nationally as a Final Four qualifier. This fall, a team on the gridiron could make a similar ascent from afterthought to College Football Playoff hopeful.
Given last season's performance, returning starters and production and other favorable circumstances, we've highlighted six programs with the potential to climb the rankings in 2018.
Will they all threaten? Absolutely not. But the Georgia Bulldogs soared from 8-5 in 2016 to 13-2 last season, winning the SEC championship before reaching the national title game.