NCAA Football Rankings 2012: Overrated Teams in Latest AP Poll

College football polls aren’t immune to the inevitable inaccuracy of human error.

The AP released its new 2012 NCAA football rankings on Sunday. In it are a few teams that voters overrated. Here they are, squads that shouldn’t be ranked as high as they are.

3. Florida

I know Florida is a prestigious program that’s had more than a handful of recent championship success, but c’mon. Up to this point in the season, the team’s name recognition definitely carries more weight than its resume.

Florida is ranked No. 18 in the nation after catapulting itself up the ladder with what? A three-point win over unranked Texas A&M?

Get out.

The Gators field the 87th-ranked scoring offense in the country despite being given a gimme against Bowling Green in Week 1—a game in which Florida only outscored the Falcons by 13 points.

2. Notre Dame

Surprise, surprise. Notre Dame is ranked higher than it should be.

The Fighting Irish blew out Navy (congratulations) and managed to beat Purdue by three points at Notre Dame Stadium. Do those victories warrant a No. 20 ranking in the AP poll?

Hardly.

Neither the Notre Dame passing nor the rushing attack is ranked among the top 40 in the nation.

Comparatively, No. 23 Tennessee boasts the ninth-ranked passing offense after two victories, including a 14-pointer over North Carolina State. Meanwhile, No. 22 UCLA has the second-ranked rushing attack, and it also beat Nebraska.

Both the Vols and Bruins deserve to be rated higher than the Gators and Fighting Irish.

1. Michigan

Michigan is the only team in the Top 25 that isn’t undefeated. Sure, its loss was to Alabama, but with a chance to numb the pain against Air Force, the Wolverines didn’t impress.

Denard Robinson and company defeated Air Force by a measly six points—six points. Well, so much for Michigan taking its anger out on a helpless Falcons club.

Other than having the fun-to-watch Robinson in its starting lineup, what have the Wolverines done to deserve being ranked No. 17?

I don’t even think Notre Dame and Florida could answer that question.

Michigan is the most overrated team in college football.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels