While a surprise team will occasionally steal a place in the College Football Playoff, the list of contenders is usually well-known before a season starts.

In 2020, the favorites are Clemson, Alabama and Oklahoma. If any of Georgia, LSU, Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame or Texas reach the CFP, it wouldn't be shocking. Texas A&M isn't sneaking up on anyone, either.

However, without the Big Ten and Pac-12 on the field—well, we think not—every loss has a greater negative impact. Simultaneously, every marquee win carries a little more credibility.

Between roster talent and favorable schedules, three teams stand out as the most likely playoff crashers in 2020.

UCF Knights

I am on record in any number of pieces that a Group of Five team won't make the playoffs, and it's repeated simply for consistency. Still, not pointing out the possibility would also be unfair.

The short version is the American Athletic Conference needs an undefeated team for this to even be a consideration. If any program is to accomplish that perfect record, the most likely candidates are UCF, Cincinnati and Memphis—and maybe SMU.

And among that group, the program boasting the 2017 national champions* has the most complete team.

UCF brings back quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns as a freshman. And there is no shortage of talent at the skill positions around him.

Running backs Otis Anderson, Bentavious Thompson and Greg McCrae each rushed for 500-plus yards last season, and wideouts Tre Nixon, Marlon Williams and Jacob Harris combined for nearly 2,000 receiving yards. Oklahoma transfer Jaylon Robinson bolsters the receiving corps in 2020 too.

Cincinnati could have the AAC's top defense, but UCF likely won't be far behind—and might be better.

Defensive linemen Kenny Turnier, Tre'Mon Morris-Brash and Kalia Davis all tallied at least eight tackles for loss in 2019. Eric Mitchell and Eriq Gilyard both recorded 77 tackles last season, and a senior-laden secondary brings back Brandon Moore after an ACL injury sidelined him for practically all of 2019.

Undefeated is a high bar, and the AAC is no breeze. UCF, though, at least has an argument.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Wherever you personally rank the duo, the Cowboys' top running back-wide receiver combination is unquestionably among the best in the country.

Chuba Hubbard rushed for 21 touchdowns and an FBS-best 2,094 yards last season. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting and landed first-team AP All-America honors.

Tylan Wallace only appeared in eight games because of an ACL injury, yet he still paced Oklahoma State with 53 receptions, 903 yards and eight touchdowns. That followed a 2018 season of 86 catches for 1,491 yards and 12 scores.

Sophomore quarterback Spencer Sanders provides a dual-threat element, and a year of starting experience should be immensely valuable. Though the Pokes have a new coordinator in Kasey Dunn, Mike Gundy offenses are routinely efficient and productive.

Usually, though, the defense does not follow suit. That's the biggest potential change in 2020.

Pending an unannounced opt-out, Oklahoma State returns every key contributor on defense other than cornerback A.J. Green.

All six players with 50-plus tackles are back, as is linebacker Calvin Bundage after he missed 2019 with a back injury. Led by Amen Ogbongbemiga's 15.5, all 13 players who recorded at least two tackles for loss are returning in 2020.

Additionally, the home schedule includes West Virginia, Iowa State and Texas. Traveling to Oklahoma is the primary obstacle, of course, but a 9-1 regular season with a neutral-site rematch against the rival Sooners is possible.

Knock off OU to win the Big 12 Championship Game and go 10-1, and Oklahoma State is headed to the CFP.

North Carolina Tar Heels

After landing transfer quarterback D'Eriq King from Houston and hiring Rhett Lashlee as offensive coordinator, Miami deserves a mention. But the 'Canes have a tough road schedule and a heavy burden of proof, given the collapses in Manny Diaz's first year as head coach.

Though the Tar Heels need to flip their fortune in one-score games—a disappointing 3-6 last season—a more favorable schedule makes them appealing.

Miami welcomes Mack Brown's squad in December but travels to Louisville, Clemson and Virginia Tech during the regular season. North Carolina hosts both Virginia Tech and Notre Dame while avoiding Clemson and Louisville.

And that's merely a complement to UNC's best feature.

Though the Chazz Surratt-led defense is important, the simple truth is the Tar Heels can score with anyone. Sam Howell threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns as a true freshman, and his surrounding talent is extremely impressive.

Running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams both topped 1,100 yards from scrimmage last season. Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown both caught 50-plus passes for at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Beau Corrales added 575 receiving yards.

This scoring attack should be explosive.

To be sure, potentially ending the season with a three-week stretch against Notre Dame, Miami and Clemson in the ACC Championship Game is an absolute gauntlet. But because of the offense, UNC can win any matchup.

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.