Most overrated, underrated teams in new US LBM Coaches Poll

USA Today

6 days ago

In what should be a year of parity in the college football landscape, all eyes are on the preseason polls to see who rises to the top and who might falter entirely. The latest US LBM coaches poll was just released today and gives college football fans the latest insights into who the coaches are thinking will be the best teams in the country. Nevertheless, no one thinks that they always get things right, especially with so much change overtaking the sport. Thus, some teams will be rated as either over or underrated as a result. Here are some teams who could fit both categories.
Overrated: Notre Dame
It feels hard to knock last year's CFP championship game runner-ups, but they are definitely a squad in flux going into this season. All eyes will be on who emerges in the QB room between redshirt freshman CJ Carr and sophomore Kenny Minchey. With not even a start to either of their names, there could be several growing pains for the winner of the job. They do return one of the best RB tandems in the country in Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but still leave a lot to be desired in terms of wide receiver depth. It seems as if Marcus Freeman and Co. are relying on yet another breakout campaign from Jaden Greathouse to keep them afloat. Ranked 5th in the coaches poll, the Fighting Irish must make a seamless transition from Leonard to either Carr or Minchey and prove that they can hit the ground running unlike previous years.
Underrated: Clemson
Many pundits and analysts alike were saying that Clemson could emerge as the top team in the nation. After all, they return arguably the most experienced QB in the nation in Cade Klubnik, a young and scrappy WR corps whose best performances all came in the Big Ten championship and CFP first round games, and two of the best edge talents in Peter Woods and TJ Parker. It must have come as some surprise to may then when they were ranked 6th. Perhaps it's due to the relative weakness of the ACC with only three ranked squads, but Clemson has the chance to have some of the best wins in the country. Their schedule is bookended by games against 9th-ranked LSU and 13th ranked South Carolina. Win both of those non-conference games and this ranking could look silly. Look for Klubnik to potentially lead the country in passing yards, improving on his 3,639 from last season and for Bryant Wesco Jr to have a breakout campaign at receiver.
Overrated: Florida
Florida are seemingly a team bolstered by the hype surrounding the backfield partnership of DJ Lagway and Jadan Baugh. On one hand, when both are on the field, Florida have unmatched levels of dynamism that can shock the SEC's elite. But with Lagway sidelined this spring recuperating from a season-ending leg injury, their ranking at No. 17 seems precarious, especially considering they are ahead of several CFP teams from last year as well in Tennessee and Indiana. In order for this ranking to hold, Lagway has to show signs of recovery quickly while most importantly, maintaining that dynamic element he can bring to the table. Florida have a grueling five game stretch that sees them play all of LSU, Miami and Texas A&M on the road with a game at home against the top-ranked Longhorns thrown in for good measure. Lagway has to be up for the task, or else it will be a rocky season in the Swamp for the Gators.
Underrated: Indiana
The fact that Indiana made the CFP last year against all odds, returned most of their offensive and defensive production, and are only ranked 19th in the coaches poll is staggering. While it will hard to replicate last year, it is not as if they don't have the talent and depth to do so again. Add in the fact they avoid the second ranked Buckeyes altogether and there won't be much shock should they go 10-2 again. Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza can aptly replace the production of Kurtis Rourke, throwing for just over 3,000 yards last year. Roman Hemby adds depth to the RB room coming in from Maryland. And Elijah Sarratt is a true WR1 with 957 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Their biggest games of the season do come on the road to take on the third ranked Nittany Lions and seventh-ranked Oregon Ducks, but chances are they won't have to win both games in the new Big Ten format. Something tells me you won't have to be Googling anyone with the Hoosiers this year, as they have well and truly arrived.
Overrated: BYU
BYU just got a whole lot more interesting to follow after the sour departure of Jake Retzlaff. While they return some talent in LJ Martin at the running back spot, the loss of Retzlaff is a major hit for the passing game. Now, the Cougars must turn to either Utah State transfer Mccae Hillstead or former Westerm Michigan man Treyson Bourguet. While both have experience at the position, they must prove they can elevate this offense enough to be worthy of their top-25 ranking. At No. 23, the Cougars have a great opportunity to move up if there is chaos above them. The fact they are a Big 12 member helps as well, as the parity will play into their hands. Nevertheless, I'm not as high on this year's iteration of the Cougars sans Retzlaff combined with the madness that will be the Big 12 this year.
Underrated: Texas Tech
Speaking of the Big 12, it may have an emerging dark horse contender. The Texas Tech Red Raiders may not have been on everyone's radar, but after a massive transfer haul that saw them be the No. 1 team in the cycle, the hype surrounding the Red Raiders only grew. This is now one of the most experienced and deepest squads in the Big 12 led by senior QB Behren Morton. The highlights from the transfer portal however, come on the other side of the ball. Headlined by the former Stanford linebacker David Bailey and Georgia Tech man Romello Height, this Texas Tech defense is primed to wreak havoc on opposing offenses week in and week out. A game every Red Raider fan should be circling is their road contest Oct. 18 against the defending Big 12 champs and 11th- ranked Arizona State. Win that game and the Red Raiders could be on dark horse watch not just for the Big 12 title..but for a shock run at the CFP as well.
For more news about the coaches poll, especially as it pertains to Penn State, be sure to check out lead writer Kevin Mcguire's latest article that speaks about Penn State's highest ranking since 1999.