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One of the best things about college football is the parity. Unlike the NFL where you can draft Patrick Mahomes and be a guaranteed powerhouse for 20 straight years, college teams will get a maximum of 4 years with their stars.

This means that every year a fresh set of stars rise to the forefront, and a few sleeper teams shock the world with their high level of play.

In 2022, we saw the Tulane Green Wave finish the season ranked 9th in the nation, ahead of powerhouses like Clemson, USC, Notre Dame, and others.

In 2021, Cincinnati took a massive step forward to sneak into the college football playoff.

But which sleeper teams will shock the world in 2023 and dramatically exceed expectations?

We’re looking at 5 college football sleeper teams who are very underrated heading into the 2023 season.

Top College Football Sleeper Teams

Washington Huskies

Washington is getting a bit of love, but most fans don’t realize just how good they can be.

They’re returning a highly productive QB in Michael Penix, who will have the luxury of throwing to the best tandem of receivers in the entire nation.

While the offensive firepower is well known, their potential on the defensive end is what makes them one of the best sleeper teams in college football this year.

Edge rushers Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui each have high end NFL traits, while Tuli Letuligasenoa and defensive tackle and Edefuan Ulofoshio and linebacker each have 1st team all conference potential.

Add in one of the best offensive lines in the PAC12, and Washington is a team that can really contend at the top level of college football this upcoming season.

UTSA Roadrunners

The Roadrunners of Texas-San Antonio are one of the best Group of 5 teams in the nation, and return one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the nation with Frank Harris.

UTSA has an incredibly talented receiving corps led by De’Corian Clark and Joshua Cephus, along with a spread offense that generates consistent points.

Their defense also has a share of experienced star players. Rashad Wisdom in the backend will be slept on after playing only 6 games last year, but he was one of the better safeties in the nation entering 2022.

Defensive tackle Brandon Brown is a stout run defender who was a 1st-team all conference honoree last season, and the pairing of Trey Moore and Jamal Ligon at linebacker will keep the second level solid.

They’ve invested heavily in their program in recent years and seen significant success. But having Frank Harris return for a 7th seasons can push them over the top following his 4000+ yard, 32 touchdown performance a year ago.

Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers are one of the most interesting teams in college football this season, but shouldn’t be slept on.

After bringing in Luke Fickell, one of the best coaches in college football, along with a talented passer in Tanner Mordecai to run the offense, Wisconsin will look completely unlike past years.

Still, this is the Badgers we’re talking about. They’ll likely continue to have the dominant offensive line and stingy defense they’re known for, all while adding in a championship caliber coach and modernized offense.

Wisconsin is also known for the way they produce running backs, and they still have one of the best in the nation in Braelon Allen to hand the ball off to.

While there doesn’t seem to be much star power returning on defense outside of Maema Njongmeta at linebacker, the Badgers always seem to have a couple players explore for 20 TFLs out of nowhere.

If Wisconsin can gel early, this college football sleeper could end up finishing as a top 10 team in 2023.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas isn’t receiving any love, even from some of the Razorback fans I’ve spoken to.

Still, I really like the outlook of this team.

KJ Jefferson has impressive do-it-all ability, and can carry his team on his back to victories. Luckily, he doesn’t need to do that. He’ll be handing it off to Raheim Sanders, who is potentially the best running back in college football.

The interior of their offensive line will open up big holes for the multidimensional run game, led by Beaux Limmer and Brady Latham.

The defense is a little bit more of a question mark, but they have a decent base to build off of.

New co-coordinators Travis Williams and Marcus Woodson inherited a defense that set a school record in sacks last season, although their best talent is likely at defensive back with players like Dwight McGlorthern and LaDarrius Bishop.

If players like Zach Williams and transfer Trajan Jeffcoat can put it together and maintain a similar number of sacks, Arkansas is a very interesting team to watch.

A consistent and successful run-first offense, paired with a high-pressure defense is a recipe for a big time upset or two.

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina finished the season on a high note, and they’re returning one of the most dangerous QB-WR connections in all of college football.

People seemed to sour on Spencer Rattler pretty quickly, but there’s a reason he was once thought of as a potential #1 overall pick. His talent jumps off on film, and South Carolina has done a decent job at surround him with talent this season.

Juice Wells is one of the best receivers in college football, and they brought in one of the best transfer classes in college football which included a great tight end in Trey Knox.

The defense is very strong in the secondary with Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith coming off great seasons, while Jordan Strachan and Tonka Hemingway provide excellent experience and talent on the defensive line.

To be fair, it could be a boom or bust season for South Carolina. They definitely have more question marks than the other 4 teams on this list, but the offensive connection of Rattler and Wells has too much potential to pass up.

Quick Answer

Who is the best sleeper team in college football this season?

The best sleeper team in college football in 2023 is the Washington Huskies, who return the best tandem of wide receivers in the nation, along with an incredible talented front seven on defense. If they stay healthy, they absolutely have the potential to make the college football playoff this year.

Discussion

Who do you think are some of the best college football sleepers this season? Let us know in the comments below!