2010 College Football Preseason Rankings: Most Underrated Teams

College football season is finally almost here, with kickoff less than a month away. With the first preseason poll released, the USA Today Coaches Top 25, the initial landscape for the 2010 college football season has been formed.

Some teams may be overrated, and some may be underrated. Only time will tell who truly deserves to be ranked where.

Two teams I believe are vastly underrated this year are the Wisconsin Badgers and the Florida State Seminoles. While the 'Noles are coming off one of their worst seasons in school history since Bobby Bowden took over, the Badgers are coming off a strong 10 win season that was capped off with a big bowl win over the Miami Hurricanes.

Although the Badgers are in fact ranked pretty high at No. 12, they still seem to be a sleeper in most college football fans' minds. They haven't generated too much buzz, and some may even view them as overrated.

However, the Badgers look very strong and are ready to put an impressive product on the field this coming season. Young and full of underclassmen last year, Wisconsin is now mature with experienced veterans after a solid season.

The offense, led by proven senior Scott Tolzien, will be ready to roll. Last season, Tolzien completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for over 2,700 yards and 16 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions. Junior running back John Clay is also coming off a strong season in which he rushed for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Along with one of the best offenses in the Big Ten, the Badgers also tout a strong defense that's teeming with youth. The defense ended last year with a strong showing against the Miami Hurricanes' dynamic offense, holding Jacorry Harris and the 'Canes to just 249 yards.

This year the Badgers appear ready to put it all together, and if they succeed in doing so, they could very well be making a run at the Big Ten conference title this year. Playing Ohio State at home in Wisconsin this year will be huge for the Badgers.

Now, let's take a look at Florida State. Entering the year ranked in the 20 spot, I'd say the 'Noles are very fortunate to be ranked that high, or even ranked at all.  

Last year was a dismal season in Tallahassee, although the 'Noles did send their legend Bobby Bowden out on a good note, winning four of their last five games. One of which included an impressive bowl win over West Virginia.

However, be careful to not judge this Seminole team based off last season's performance. The reason?

This is a completely different program than it was a year ago today.

Now Jimbo Fisher is the head coach, and the 'Noles are finally catching up with times. Hiring Mark Stoops, Greg Hudson, Eddie Gran, Vic Viloria, and D.J Elliot, the 'Noles have a new look and revamped coaching staff.

Viloria, the strength and conditioning coach, has the 'Noles on a stringent program like Florida State has never seen before. Already the changes are visible, as players are gaining and losing the weights they should be.

Mark Stoops and Greg Hudson are modernizing the defense, as the 'Noles will stray away from the man coverage they have used forever under legend Mickey Andrews. Now they will be using zone.

And don't forget about the potent offense led by Heisman hopeful Christian Ponder. By the years end, many expect Florida State's offense to be one of the best in the nation. Despite taking a hit recently with the loss of junior wide receiver Jarmon Fortson, the 'Noles have plenty of depth and talent at the receiver position to get the job done.

With that being said, the offense is the least of the worries for Fisher and Florida State.

Success for this upcoming season rides on one unit, the defense. Can Mark Stoops and Greg Hudson turn things around? If so, expect big things from the Seminoles. And even if the defense is only average, that should be good enough with how good the offense is.

If all goes according to plan for Wisconsin and Florida State, both programs could find themselves playing for their conference titles down the stretch of the season.