Paraphrased from a CNNSI article: MICHIGAN #4 What would possibly possess someone to look at a team that finished last season 12th in the same poll, gave up 37 points or more in three of its last four games, lost its all-everything playmaker (Braylon Edwards) and top two defenders (Ernest Shazor and Marlin Jackson) and move them all the way up to fourth? If Michigan does finish the season No. 4, it would most likely mean that Lloyd Carr's team lost just one game all season. The Wolverines haven't lost fewer than three since 1999. But that didn't seem to stop the voters from picking them to finish higher than they have in any season since they won the national title eight years ago. TENNESSEE #3 How about the team ranked one spot higher, Tennessee? The Vols have an excellent squad on paper, no question about it, but does anyone actually look at schedules before they fill out their ballots? What are the chances that Tennessee, or anyone else for that matter, can survive a slate that includes consecutive September road games at Florida and LSU -- plus a visit to Phil Fulmer’s favorite state, Alabama, and to Notre Dame, which beat the Vols last season -- with few enough blemishes to finish No. 3 in the country? No matter what the pollster’s say, these two things “ain’t gonna happen”. I'm just so happy to find some writer who actually makes sense.
My most under rated team: TEXAS A&M My most over rated team: Tennessee & both for the same reason - the Cotton Bowl. I agree that Michigan is overrated, but they consistently win & it's not out of the question for them to finish in the top 5 but I have to wonder why this year they would be ranked there?
At first glance, I would agree completely. BUT, and it's a Crumpler sized butt, they've got road games at Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. Tough games, combined w/ playing Texas at home. I'd love to see them do well, but that's a tough tough road for a good conference record.
Nobody is more overrated than FLORIDA. New head coach and coordinators (don't under estimate the importance of this), new spread option offense with a drop back passing QB, and a new defense, plus the Gators lost their best RB in Fason and LB Crowder...any other school with a coaching change (ala LSU) takes a hit from media types like SI, but not the Gators because Urban Meyer invented football and hung the moon. I think Florida struggles mightily for at least half the season because it'll take them a good while to adjust to make the adjustments. Disagree about Tennessee....the Vols return a 1,000 yard rusher in Riggs, have one of the best defensive fronts in the country, Ainge is a returning starter with a decent backup in Clausen, who led the Vols to a thumping of A&M in Cotton Bowl. Plus, say what you will about Phil Fulmer but the guy wins 80% of his games and in his 13 seasons has averaged 10 wins a season.
I would say A&M is under-rated but I think everyone has them pegged as a "Sleeper" or "Under-rated" team thus losing their status as people under-rating them.
IMO, Michigan is usually a little overrated because they're Michigan and at times it seems that they don't drop as far as most teams do after a loss. Maybe having a rich tradition has it's advantages.
My sleeper is Texas Tech... They have always had one of the top offenses in the Big XII, now their defense is starting to catch up...
