By John Sarianides

Western Michigan was the surprise mid-major last season going 12-0 and getting to the Cotton Bowl before losing to Wisconsin. 

So, who will be this year’s surprise mid-major program? Here are five teams that could end up in the New Year’s Six.

1. Wyoming Cowboys: The Cowboys are seemingly everyone’s sleeper mid-major team it seems. Why not? Head coach Craig Bohl has coached at Nebraska and he built a powerhouse at North Dakota State. 

Factor in quarterback Josh Allen and it easy to see why most pundits are picking the Cowboys to win the Mountain West and go undefeated. 

2. South Florida Bulls: Charlie Strong inherited a pretty talented team in Tampa. Replacing running Marlon Mack will be tough but the cupboard is far from bare. The Bulls have more than enough talent to win the America East and make a potential New Years Six run. 

3. UTSA Roadrunners: Frank Wilson is quietly building a winner in San Antonio. Quarterback Dalton Sturm leads an explosive multiple offense that can keep pace with any team in the country. The Roadrunners also boast an opportunistic defense that is athletic and aggressive. UTSA won the Gilden New Mexico Bowl last year. They have bigger aspirations this season.

4. Appalachian State Mountaineers: App State has won back to back Camillia Bowls and bring back one of the best backs in the country in Jalin Moore. The Mountaineers should win the Sun Belt. It will be interesting to see if they can win enough games to make a run at a New Years Six Bowl.

5. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: New coach Mike Sanford has plenty of returning talent to work with. Factor in an easy schedule and the Hilltoppers could find themselves in a New Years Six bowl.