College Football Predictions: 5 Underrated Teams Going into Spring Practice

Every year there are teams that fly under the radar before the season starts.

There are a certain number of teams that have a chance to come up from low in the rankings and surprise a lot of prognosticators, especially those that pay attention.

We know about the teams that are over-hyped every season.

But what about the teams that aren't necessarily given enough hype?

Here are five teams that are among the most underrated in the country heading into spring football.

Notre Dame (8-5 in 2010)

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gestures during the game with the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Notre Dame won 20-16. (Photo by Stephe

Brian Kelly's first season in South Bend wasn't necessarily spectacular, but four straight wins, including against USC and a blowout over Miami in the Sun Bowl, gives new optimism for the Irish.

It also helps that the Irish not only have two QBs with starting experience in Kelly's system, but WR Michael Floyd is back, along with 18 other returning starters.

The even better news for Notre Dame is having the No. 4 recruiting class on Scout.com, including three 5-star DL prospects in Stephon Tuitt, Aaron Lynch and Ishaq Williams.

While not too many of those guys in 2011's class will play this season, Kelly has quickly learned what it takes to recruit at Notre Dame, especially on defense, which has been a problem for many seasons.

A second year in Kelly's system and a tremendous amount of returners has a tremendous amount of optimism looming for the Irish.

Nebraska (10-4 in 2010)

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks for an open receiver against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners beat the Cornhuskers 23-20. (Photo by

Nebraska made probably the biggest move in several seasons, jumping the Big 12 and moving to the Big Ten, being a Legend along the way (division pun).

The Huskers were threatening for a national championship spot before Taylor Martinez got banged up and they suffered, losing three of their final four games.

It doesn't help that Roy Helu Jr. and Niles Paul are gone from an offense that lacks big-time weapons.

But all-conference DT Jared Crick is back, along with three other all-Big 12 defensive selections.

Don't be surprised if 5-star RB Aaron Green gets extensive playing time as a freshman as the Huskers try to leave a big first impression on the Big Ten.

Tennessee (6-7 in 2010)

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KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches his team in action against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Imag

Tennessee football has seen quite a large amount of turmoil with three coaches in three seasons.

But Derek Dooley seems here to stay, especially after four straight wins with Tyler Bray at QB to make the Vols bowl eligible.

Dooley's club has a favorable schedule in 2011, with their only tough road games being at Florida and Alabama.

In addition to Bray's return and a corps of talented young receivers ready to mature, the defense returns the entire secondary with a pair of all-SEC safeties intact.

A matter of stability could do wonders for slowly returning Tennessee to prosperity, especially in a weakened SEC East.

Wisconsin (11-2 in 2010)

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Wisconsin Badgers stands on the field during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

It's tough to think that an 11-win team can be underrated coming into 2011, but that is Wisconsin's case after losing a tremendous amount of talent on both sides of the ball.

John Clay, J.J. Watt, Scott Tolzien and Gabe Carimi are all gone along with plenty of other great talents from a Badger team that fell short of TCU in the Rose Bowl.

But what will keep them a Big Ten contender right now is that James White and Montee Ball are both back to run the football for a team that predicates itself on pounding the rock.

Also, LB Chris Borland returns after missing all of 2010 with shoulder problems.

A tough road schedule in the Leaders division doesn't making things easy for Wisconsin, but they can certainly overtake Ohio State and Penn State for a berth in the Big Ten Championship with defense and the running game.

Arkansas (10-3 in 2010)

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drops back and looks downfield for receiver during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razo

Arkansas' first BCS game fell just one errant INT short of being a tremendous success.

But the Razorbacks had plenty to be proud of, as they discovered a powerful running game anchored by returning RB Knile Davis, who was phenomenal in the Sugar Bowl with 139 rushing yards.

Ryan Mallett has taken his talents to the NFL, but backup QB Tyler Wilson showed in the loss at Auburn that he can certainly sling the football, with four TD passes on the road.

The team returns the top three WRs and three starters on the defensive line, including DE Jake Bequette.

They might be a long shot to go back to the BCS with a new QB, especially with road games at Alabama and LSU.

But the veteran skill players and the returning talent on the defensive line give Arkansas fans hope that the success they saw in 2010 can continue in 2011.

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