College Football Rankings: Who Is Overrated in Week 3 Coaches and AP Polls?
With the Week 3 College football polls in the books, it's time to take a closer look at them.
We learned quite a bit about a lot of teams in Week 3, as many teams faced tough tests in this weekend's games.
And yet, while many teams appear to deserve their rankings, there are others who don't seem to have earned their spots. This list is in their honor. These are the 10 most overrated teams in this week's college football polls, the teams whose cream puff schedule and lackluster play have us all saying, "Really? They're ranked there?"
10. Wisconsin Badgers
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Where They're Ranked
The Badgers currently sit 11th in the AP Poll, while the Coaches poll has Wisconsin at No. 10.
Why They're Ranked so High
The Badgers have beaten UNLV handily on the road, while beating San Jose State 27-14 and squeaking past Arizona State 20-19 at home. Scott Tolzien is one of the better quarterbacks in the country, and running back John Clay has been a stud since Day 1 in Madison.
Why We're So Confused
Since when did a road win over UNLV count for this much? The Badgers beat a lackluster San Jose State team by just 13 points, and nearly fell to an Arizona State squad who has yet to win outside of Tempe. Come on guys! A Top 10 team needs to beat somebody, even if it's just at home, right? So don't go putting Bucky Badger and his pilfered dome in the Top 10!
When They Can Prove Themselves
Either two weekends from now, against a solid Michigan State team, or on October 16 against No. 2 Ohio State.
9. Boise State Broncos
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Where They Stand Now
The Broncos are ranked third in both the AP and Coaches polls.
Why They're Ranked so High
Boise State got a big win in a "neutral" site game against Virginia Tech, and beat up on Wyoming last weekend. They have one of the best offenses in the country, and their defense is strong enough to keep them in games.
Why We're Confused
Poor Boise State. Virginia Tech crapped the bed against James Madison, and the Broncos are the ones who should get punished. The Hokies are better than they showed in Week 2, but perhaps TCU and Boise should have switched places in Week 3.
When They Can Prove Themselves
The Broncos will play Top 25 floater (they float in and out of the polls) Oregon State next weekend in their final chance to show they belong this high.
8. Missouri Tigers
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Where They Stand
Mizzou are newcomers to the Coaches Poll, breaking in at No. 24.
Why They're Ranked so High
The Tigers are 3-0, with wins over Illinois in a neutral site game, McNeese State, and a close one against San Diego State at home. So clearly, strength of schedule was a big factor in the Tigers' newfound poll spot.
Why We're Confused
I realize that the Aztecs of San Diego State were undefeated coming into their clash with the Tigers, but seriously, since when does a home win over a non-BCS team mean anything? What has San Diego State done? Nothing. So why do the Tigers get a spot in the rankings? I have no earthly idea.
When They Can Prove Themselves
If the Tigers want to prove they belong in the Top 25, their back-to-back games with Oklahoma on October 23 and Nebraska on October 30, would be the logical time to do it.
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7. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Where They Stand
The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, and No. 20 in the Coaches.
Why They're Ranked so High
Penn State is 2-1 and find themselves ranked on a pair of convincing wins over powerhouses Kent State and Youngstown State. Respect the Penguins.
Why We're Confused
This team looked flat out bad against Alabama, and while they beat up on a couple of non-BCS teams, since when does that mean anything? Beat someone worthwhile, then we'll talk about putting you in the Top 25.
When They Can Prove Themselves
The Nittany Lions travel to Iowa in two weeks, then host Michigan on October 30. If they don't win one or both of those games, they don't deserve a ranked spot.
6. Texas Longhorns
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Where They Stand
Texas finds itself ranked seventh in the AP Poll, while the Coaches poll sees the 'Horns climb up to fourth.
Why They're Ranked so High
The Longhorns are ranked on the virtue of their 24-14 win over Texas Tech on the road in Week 3, as well as a pair of blowout wins against Rice and Wyoming in their first two games of the season.
Why We're Confused
Texas hasn't looked the part of a top-10 team thus far, beating Rice by just 17 points, and letting an inferior Texas Tech team hang around. I know the Longhorns were on the road, but even so, a Top Five team has no business getting a scare from a team like the Red Raiders.
When They Can Prove Themselves
Two weeks from now in Dallas against the Oklahoma Sooners, and the week after that against Nebraska. If they go 1-1, they should be Top 10. If they go 2-0, Top 5. But a pair of losses in those games, and it's down the charts the Longhorns go.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Where They Stand
The Oklahoma State Cowboys made their debut in the 2010 coaches poll at No. 25.
Why They're Ranked So High
The Cowboys are undefeated, with impressive wins over Tulsa and Washington State.
Why We're Confused
They beat Troy at home by just three. Troy is a decent team, but if the Cowboys expect to be ranked this season, they have to beat teams like Troy the same way they beat Washington State and Tulsa.
When They Can Prove Themselves
This weekend against Texas A&M. Or if we're talking about an actual, you know, road game, the Cowboys don't get a true road test until November 13 against Texas.
4. Oregon State
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Where They Stand
The Beavers of Oregon State make a return to the AP poll, checking in at No. 24.
Why They're Ranked So High
When you beat a quality team like Louisville at home by a touchdown, you deserve to get back into the polls.
Why We're Confused
Is it 2005 again? Is Louisville suddenly a good football team? Why do the Beavers get back into the polls by barely beating a team who stinks?
When They Can Prove Themselves
This weekend against Boise State, or the following weekend against Arizona State. Wins in both, or a close loss to Boise followed by a win over ASU, would do wonders for Oregon State's credibility.
3. USC Trojans
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Where They Stand
The Trojans sit at No. 20 in the AP Poll, while they're banned from the Coaches.
Why They're Ranked So High
I suppose it's because the Trojans' offense has looked excellent through three weeks, putting up an average of 32.7 points per game. They're undefeated, and have won two road games thus far.
Why We're Confused
Sure, USC's offense looks sharp. But have you seen their defense? Thirty-six points to a mediocre Hawaii team? Twenty-one points to a Minnesota team coming off a loss to FCS South Dakota? Yikes. This team has played close games against inferior competition, and they're lucky to be ranked at all.
When They Can Prove Themselves
October 2 against Washington and October 9 against Stanford.
2. Oregon Ducks
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Where They Stand
The Ducks sit fifth in the AP poll, and sixth in the Coaches.
Why They're Ranked So High
The Ducks have looked downright unbeatable, blowing out all of their first three opponents.
Why We're Confused
While the Ducks are blowing people out, they're also beating terrible teams (New Mexico), teams who don't have the talent to match up with them (Tennessee), or FCS opponents (Portland State). Let's see them put up those kinds of numbers against a good team who can handle their speed.
When They Can Prove Themselves
October 2 against Stanford, or October 30 against USC, in the Coliseum.
1. Florida Gators
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Where They Stand
The Gators are ranked eighth in the Coaches poll, and sit ninth in the AP poll.
Why They're Ranked So High
Florida is 3-0 in Year 1 A.T. (After Tebow), with wins over Miami (Ohio), South Florida, and Tennessee.
Why We're Confused
While all three games have been wins, they've been full of scary moments. Quarterback John Brantley has looked out of sorts in the offense, and they have yet to have an excellent first half of football this season. They could have easily lost all three of their games, if Miami had been able to score touchdowns, South Florida hadn't turned the ball over, and Tennessee hadn't been, well, Tennessee.
When They Can Prove Themselves
October 2, the Gators pay a visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium to take on the Crimson Tide of Alabama. They'd better have themselves together by then.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
