NCAA Football Rankings 2012: Top Teams with Underrated Opponents in Week 4
Although the three mega Top 25 showdowns are sure to steal the show during college football's Week 4 action, there are a couple of top-ranked programs facing underrated opponents this coming weekend.
When unranked teams hit the road to take on heavy favorites, they typically play loose and with nothing to lose. That will be the concern for two BCS hopefuls in Week 4 as they attempt to remain undefeated.
Let's take a look at a pair of Top 10 teams taking on under-the-radar, upset-minded opponents this weekend.
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No. 7 South Carolina
South Carolina will host the Missouri Tigers in an SEC clash in Week 4. Despite receiving a thorough spanking from Georgia at home two weeks ago, the Tigers are 2-1 and will enter their showdown with the Gamecocks just as confident as ever.
Missouri earned a hard-fought 24-20 win over Arizona State this past weekend and will attempt to get its first conference win of the season in upset fashion in Columbia.
Other than against Vanderbilt in the season opener, South Carolina has gone relatively untested so far this fall, beating the Commodores, East Carolina and UAB.
No. 8 West Virginia
The Mountaineers will host the Maryland Terrapins in Week 4. Although the Terps entered the season with very low expectations after a 2-10 season a year ago, they have surprised early this year, going 2-1 through their first three games.
Maryland lost last weekend at home against Connecticut in a nail-biter, but shocked Temple on the road in Week 2, winning 36-27 in a game that was ugly throughout.
As bitter rivals, both teams are extremely familiar with one another and always produce a tough, close matchup. Don't underestimate the Terps on the road this weekend.
2012 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 4
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
| 1 | Alabama (58) | 3-0 | 1,498 |
| 2 | LSU (2) | 3-0 | 1,433 |
| 3 | Oregon | 3-0 | 1,356 |
| 4 | Florida State | 3-0 | 1,275 |
| 5 | Georgia | 3-0 | 1,203 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 2-0 | 1,181 |
| 7 | South Carolina | 3-0 | 1,081 |
| 8 | West Virginia | 2-0 | 1,051 |
| 9 | Stanford | 3-0 | 1,009 |
| 10 | Clemson | 3-0 | 899 |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 3-0 | 854 |
| 12 | Texas | 3-0 | 816 |
| 13 | USC | 2-1 | 776 |
| 14 | Florida | 3-0 | 743 |
| 15 | Kansas State | 3-0 | 683 |
| 16 | Ohio State | 3-0 | 680 |
| 17 | TCU | 2-0 | 535 |
| 18 | Michigan | 2-1 | 448 |
| 19 | UCLA | 3-0 | 429 |
| 20 | Louisville | 3-0 | 366 |
| 21 | Michigan State | 2-1 | 318 |
| 22 | Arizona | 3-0 | 296 |
| 23 | Mississippi State | 3-0 | 106 |
| 24 | Boise State | 1-1 | 95 |
| 25 | Nebraska | 2-1 | 80 |
*All Information Courtesy of ESPN.com.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
