These 10 College Football Teams Are Proving Preseason Pollsters Wrong

A little over a month ago, the preseason polls were released, giving us a general idea of where voters thought each team should be heading into the 2012 season. Some teams were ranked lower than expected because of the loss of key players, while other teams moved up a bit, as voters thought it was going to be a big season for that program.

After a month of college football, it is time to critique those preseason rankings and show where voters made mistakes. Of course, hindsight is 20-20, but it is interesting to see which teams are rising to the occasion, while others are tanking before our eyes.

There are some squads that use the rankings for motivation, while others let the preseason hype get to them and get caught looking ahead early in the season.

Here are 10 teams that the voters got wrong in the preseason poll.

Wisconsin

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 12

Current AP Ranking: N/R

Why team was ranked where it was: Wisconsin had one of the better offensive lines in the country and Heisman candidate running back Montee Ball running behind it. The defense also looked to improve, as a total of six starters were returning from a unit that was ranked third in the Big Ten a season ago.

How team is proving voters wrong: A team that was supposed to easily win the Big Ten Leaders Division is sitting with a 3-2 record. The offense has been absolutely brutal to watch, including Ball, who is averaging less than four yards per carry.

Surprisingly, the Badgers remain the favorite to return to the Big Ten Championship, but this is not what we expected from Wisconsin.

Oregon State

AP Preseason Ranking: N/R

Current AP Ranking: No. 14

Why team was ranked where it was: Would you put a team that hasn't made a bowl game since 2009 in the polls? We are talking about a team that was ranked 100th in scoring offense last season and 89th in scoring defense. Before the season began, the only two teams in the Pac-12 anyone was focused on were Oregon and USC.

How team is proving voters wrong: The Beavers have won three straight games against teams that were ranked at some point in the season. Sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion is completing 64 percent of his passes, as Oregon State has the fourth-best passing game in the country. Defensively, the Beavers have the second-best run defense in the Pac-12 and are only allowing 20 percent of third-down conversions.

Michigan

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 8

Current AP Ranking: N/R

Why team was ranked where it was: Michigan had a great season under head coach Brady Hoke, and many thought that success would carry over in his second year. The offense had one of the more explosive players in quarterback Denard Robinson, while an improved defense was returning eight starters from last year.

How team is proving voters wrong: After being thumped by Alabama in the season opener, Michigan refused to show up against Notre Dame, turning the ball over six times. The defense generates very little pressure up front, and the offense is only producing 19 first downs a game (tied for ninth in the Big Ten).

While everyone was quick to buy into the hype, the Wolverines simply aren't quite there yet as national contenders.

Ohio State

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 18

Current AP Ranking: No. 12

Why team was ranked where it was: Nobody really knew what to expect from the Buckeyes. Head coach Urban Meyer was entering his first season in the Big Ten, the team played horribly last season, and nobody was sure how the team would respond to being banned from postseason play.

How team is proving voters wrong: After a 5-0 start, it is clear that Ohio State is out to run the table to kind of cushion the blow of not being eligible for a bowl game in 2012. The offense is averaging 33 points per game, quarterback Braxton Miller is playing out of his mind, and the defense has picked up 12 sacks in five games.

It is obvious that the Buckeyes are the best team in the Big Ten so far this season.

Oklahoma

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 4

Current AP Ranking: No. 17

Why team was ranked where it was: Because it was the Oklahoma Sooners, a team that always seems to receive a high ranking before the season. Anytime a Bob Stoops club returns 15 starters, including the most experienced quarterback in college football, that team is going to receive some preseason love.

How team is proving voters wrong: The offensive line is banged up and has surrendered eight sacks in three games. Despite having an experienced defense, there has only been one turnover forced all year, which is by far the worst in the Big 12. And the Sooners lost at home to Kansas State, showing that this year's team isn't much different than last year's.

These aren't the same championship Sooners we saw a few years ago.

USC

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 1

Current AP Ranking: No. 13

Why team was ranked where it was: A total of 17 starters were returning, including an offense that has more NFL potential than some NFL teams. The defense was experienced and looking to make a name for themselves, while the offense also received another weapon in running back Silas Redd. On paper, the Trojans weren't going to lose a game in the regular season.

How team is proving voters wrong: USC lost to Stanford. While that may sound simple, many expected this team to run the table. It really hasn’t blown anybody out this year, and quarterback Matt Barkley hasn't gotten off to a fast start either.

The Trojans could still be in the championship conversation, but it is an uphill battle from here on out.

Virginia Tech

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 16

Current AP Ranking: N/R

Why team was ranked where it was: The Hokies were coming off their fourth BCS bowl appearance in five years and returning nine starters from a defense that finished 10th in the country. It is a law that a Frank Beamer-coached team begins the season ranked, and with so many questions in the ACC, Virginia Tech was one of the favorites once again.

How team is proving voters wrong: Losing two games to Big East competition will get you bounced out of the rankings in a hurry. The offense struggles to move the football, quarterback Logan Thomas has thrown six interceptions, and the Hokies defense has allowed 10 plays of over 30 yards.

Things aren't looking good for this football team.

Arkansas

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 10

Current AP Ranking: N/R

Why team was ranked where it was: The only teams Arkansas lost to last season ended up playing in the BCS National Championship Game. With eight starters returning on offense, including a healthy Knile Davis, many expected the Razorbacks to become championship contenders. Even with a new head coach, there was simply no way things could go wrong in Fayetteville.

How team is proving voters wrong: The defense is allowing 40 points per contest, the offense is ranked 94th in scoring, Arkansas has lost four straight games, and the head coach is losing his mind. This very well could be considered one of the biggest disappointments in all of college football.

Razorback fans may see a complete overhaul during the offseason.

Kansas State

AP Preseason Ranking: No. 22

Current AP Ranking: No. 7

Why team was ranked where it was: Because nobody was sure if Kansas State was as good as it showed in 2011 or if it was just a tease. The Wildcats did win 10 games last season, but it is Kansas State, a team that hasn't won a bowl game since 2002. After all, this can’t possibly be a serious contender.

How team is proving voters wrong: If Kansas State didn't get your attention last year, I'm sure you are aware by now. The Wildcats have jumped out to a 4-0 start, including going to Norman and beating up on the Oklahoma Sooners. The defense has forced nine turnovers in four games, and quarterback Collin Klein went from an unknown to a possible Heisman candidate.

Things are quickly getting interesting in the Big 12.

Notre Dame

AP Preseason Ranking: N/R

Current AP Ranking: No. 9

Why team was ranked where it was: Simply put, voters were tired of Notre Dame making them look foolish, as the Irish have come up short the last several seasons. A program that has only won two bowl games since 1993 has let us down time and time again, especially with head coach Brian Kelly taking over. A new quarterback, a brutal schedule and a thin secondary didn't help matters.

How team is proving voters wrong: The Irish have been the surprise team of the year so far, with victories over Michigan and Michigan State. The defense has forced 13 turnovers in four games, while accumulating 14 sacks and allowing just nine points per contest. Offensively, there is still work to be done, but the combination of Everett Golson and Tommy Rees at quarterback has worked in the first month.

A team that is questioned every year now has a legitimate chance to return to a BCS bowl for the first time since 2006.