A dark-horse contender for each college football Power Four conference

Winds of change once again blew through college football this offseason. Most notably, an expanded College Football Playoff and a massive round of conference realignment have altered the sport, which kicks off the season on Aug. 24.

The usual programs will contend for conference titles — Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, etc. Still, there are dark-horse candidates from each of the Power Four conferences that could win a conference title and perhaps advance to the expanded, 12-team CFP.

Here's one dark-horse candidate from each Power Four conference to win their respective league.

ACC | North Carolina State

Last year: 9-4 overall, 6-2 ACC

Under head coach Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack have been consistently good but always just a bit short of the next tier. They've won at least eight games in six of the past seven seasons, and last year's team ended the season on a five-game winning streak, including wins over Clemson, Miami and North Carolina.

This season, Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall takes over at quarterback . In 42 games at Coastal Carolina, McCall threw for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns. He'll be throwing to three transfer wide receivers and handing the ball off to starting running back Jordan Waters, who rushed for 819 yards last season for Duke.

Defensively, NC State ranked 26th in the nation last year in team defense. Their schedule features trips to Clemson and North Carolina but does not include Florida State or Miami.

Big Ten | Nebraska

Last year: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten

Matt Rhule's first season in Lincoln was a story of "close but not enough." The Cornhuskers lost five games by a combined 19 points, including four by a field goal. Nebraska ranked 13th in team defense, but the Huskers struggled on offense. Opponents held Nebraska to 14 or fewer points five times.

In year two of the Rhule era, optimism is largely due to freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola . The top quarterback prospect of the 2024 class should help power Nebraska's offense, while the defense returns seven starters and is expected to be strong again.

With an 18-team Big Ten, scheduling plays a large part in a team's success. Nebraska has road games at Ohio State and Iowa but does not face Michigan, Oregon or Penn State. If the Cornhuskers take care of business against lesser teams, they could be fighting for a playoff spot.

Big 12 | Iowa State

Last year: 7-5 overall, 5-4 Big 12

A revamped Big 12 has swelled to 16 members, and Iowa State hopes to be in the top tier. No one pops up in coaching carousel rumors as much as head coach Matt Campbell, but he's entering his ninth year at Iowa State.

In an age of transfers, Iowa State has several players returning on both sides of the ball. Experience is invaluable, and the Cyclones could benefit from it.

Iowa State's schedule has a difficult finish, with three of its final four games against teams that figure to vie for the conference title (Kansas, Utah and Kansas State). Wins that stretch, and the Cyclones could find themselves near the top of the Big 12.

SEC | Missouri

Last year: 11-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

Is a team that went 11-2 and won the Cotton Bowl really a dark horse?

That could be up for debate, but Missouri was a surprise team last year and hopes to build on its prior success in 2024. Brady Cook and Luther Burden are among the best quarterback-wide receiver combos in the nation.

Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz felt his seat getting warm before 2023, and the 11-win season has increased expectations for this season. An expanded playoff has Tiger fans thinking CFP.

The schedule may allow those dreams to come true. Mizzou does not play powerhouses in Georgia, Texas or Ole Miss. The Tigers have trips to Texas A&M and Alabama, the most important games on their schedule.