Since the USC game was away I got a chance to look at many of the top 15 and looking at the AP poll some are IMO overrated , or underrated. Before anyone gets steamed I think its way too early to pick yet, but ESPN started 3 weeks before the season so here's my picks:
Overrated:
#12 University of South Florida (UCF)-yes they are 4-0 (UNC game canceled) but that #158 SOS disqualifies them from the top 15. To a lesser degree #8 Auburn with 5 home games (UW was in Atlanta) with SOS=75 is here even though they beat UW 21-16. They lost to LSU who may be good and struggled vs. USM. #11 Penn State with SOS of 28 (not bad).The loss to OSU after being up 12 in Q4 isn't new. Hint (Sam Darnold). They also struggled with Appalachian State (Really?). #13 Kentucky with an SOS=36. Sometimes UK surprises and this may be one, but #13 is too high for a team that made their grade by beating Florida, Mississippi state and South Carolina (perhaps overrated0. #4 Clemson with an SOS of 38 could fall here with their QB issue, but I'll give them an undetermined at this point. But close wins over TAMU and Syracuse are worrisome. #2 Georgia is undefeated and has an SOS=74.They played relatively no one and struggled in one game versus Missouri. Until they do have a big game I'd say they are undiscovered as opposed to overrated. #15 Michigan with SOS of 43. They lost to ND, not horrible, but struggled against a weak Northwestern . Not impressive.
Underrated":
Being in the top 15 is accolades enough but a few that I feel are underrated. #14 Stanford- , SOS-13. Yes they lost big at Notre Dame, but as we know from last year (Ugh I still have nightmares) they can get up for big games. I think the Trees being felled 7 spots on losing, versus PSU dropping just 2 after blowing a win is not justified. #5 LSU with an SOS of 22 is pretty lofty and they are not terribly underrated but for a team ranked #25 coming into this season they are up to now bring underrated IMO.
Not sure yet:
#1 Alabama with an SOS of 44-they are very likely the best in the nation but really hadn't had much chance to be tested. #3 Ohio State with an SOS of 47, but without PSU it was a really blah schedule. #10 Washington with an SOS of 12 (pretty good) so they should be great, right? I am not sure , they played well vs. Auburn but had no offensive dynamics, they beat a pretty good Utah team, but struggled with ASU. Like USC they have been under 30 points for most of their games. Something isn't clicking there for a senior laden team. #7 Oklahoma with SOS of 50, they struggled with Iowa State and Army. I tend to think they are overrated, but will keep it not sure. And of course #6 Notre Dame with an SOS of 15. And the beatings to Wake Forest and Stanford are fresh in our minds but the faint remembrance of close ear;y games with Michigan, Ball State and Vandy pop up. I know they navigated the tough part of the schedule and have a "new" QB but I'll wait a little while here.
Opinions?
Overrated:
#12 University of South Florida (UCF)-yes they are 4-0 (UNC game canceled) but that #158 SOS disqualifies them from the top 15. To a lesser degree #8 Auburn with 5 home games (UW was in Atlanta) with SOS=75 is here even though they beat UW 21-16. They lost to LSU who may be good and struggled vs. USM. #11 Penn State with SOS of 28 (not bad).The loss to OSU after being up 12 in Q4 isn't new. Hint (Sam Darnold). They also struggled with Appalachian State (Really?). #13 Kentucky with an SOS=36. Sometimes UK surprises and this may be one, but #13 is too high for a team that made their grade by beating Florida, Mississippi state and South Carolina (perhaps overrated0. #4 Clemson with an SOS of 38 could fall here with their QB issue, but I'll give them an undetermined at this point. But close wins over TAMU and Syracuse are worrisome. #2 Georgia is undefeated and has an SOS=74.They played relatively no one and struggled in one game versus Missouri. Until they do have a big game I'd say they are undiscovered as opposed to overrated. #15 Michigan with SOS of 43. They lost to ND, not horrible, but struggled against a weak Northwestern . Not impressive.
Underrated":
Being in the top 15 is accolades enough but a few that I feel are underrated. #14 Stanford- , SOS-13. Yes they lost big at Notre Dame, but as we know from last year (Ugh I still have nightmares) they can get up for big games. I think the Trees being felled 7 spots on losing, versus PSU dropping just 2 after blowing a win is not justified. #5 LSU with an SOS of 22 is pretty lofty and they are not terribly underrated but for a team ranked #25 coming into this season they are up to now bring underrated IMO.
Not sure yet:
#1 Alabama with an SOS of 44-they are very likely the best in the nation but really hadn't had much chance to be tested. #3 Ohio State with an SOS of 47, but without PSU it was a really blah schedule. #10 Washington with an SOS of 12 (pretty good) so they should be great, right? I am not sure , they played well vs. Auburn but had no offensive dynamics, they beat a pretty good Utah team, but struggled with ASU. Like USC they have been under 30 points for most of their games. Something isn't clicking there for a senior laden team. #7 Oklahoma with SOS of 50, they struggled with Iowa State and Army. I tend to think they are overrated, but will keep it not sure. And of course #6 Notre Dame with an SOS of 15. And the beatings to Wake Forest and Stanford are fresh in our minds but the faint remembrance of close ear;y games with Michigan, Ball State and Vandy pop up. I know they navigated the tough part of the schedule and have a "new" QB but I'll wait a little while here.
Opinions?
