College Football Top 25: 10 Teams Embarrassed by Teams They're Worse Than
Being outranked is somewhat embarrassing.
Being outranked by a rival or supposedly inferior school?
Hugely disconcerting for fans.
It must be rough for Gordon Gee to look up and see Boise State ranked much higher than his Buckeyes.
By the same token, Gator fans must see that they are looking up at five other SEC teams and think, "Where did we go wrong?"
Take a minute and check out this list of squads who have a right to be mildly disturbed and even ashamed about the teams ranked above them.
All rankings are from ESPN's Mark Schlabach.
10. Virginia Tech Hokies
1 of 10
Honestly, the Hokies have filled their offensive holes admirably and should be in the running for the ACC crown come November.
However, they are ranked at No. 23 in the rankings, just behind non-AQ TCU and three spots behind Texas.
I guess some teams can ride their tradition and history to higher rankings.
Anyway, the Hokies should use this as motivation to come out with a chip on their collective shoulder.
9. Texas Longhorns
2 of 10
So it was a down year for the Longhorns.
The problem is they don't look all that much improved going into 2011.
The fact that half of the Big 12 and some non-AQ teams are better than a team with the rich, storied tradition of success that Texas owns should be embarrassing.
Put it this way.
The 'Horns boasted the same record in 2010 as such yearly powerhouses as Colorado, Iowa State and even lowly Big Ten whipping boy Indiana.
Going into 2011, they are projected to finish behind at least four other Big 12 teams.
Would this feat be made worse by the fact that there are now fewer teams in the conference?
8. Arizona State Sun Devils
3 of 10
Yes, it has been a long time since the Sun Devils have appeared as more than a blip on the national radar.
That being said, four of their six losses last season came by a combined nine points, and with quarterback Brock Osweiler at the helm, ASU should be threatening Oregon and Stanford for the Pac-12 title.
So why are they ranked behind a Texas team that was abominable last season, looks to be no better this season and has uglier uniforms?
Uh-oh, the Devils mascot just changed his name.
Must be embarrassed.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. South Carolina Gamecocks
4 of 10
South Carolina finally sat in position to take the next step in the ranks of the SEC following last season.
That is why their ranking at No. 19, immediately behind the Missouri Tigers and conference rival Georgia, is embarrassing.
With all the hullabaloo surrounding suspended quarterback Stephen Garcia, it appears that many have forgotten the quality of this team.
They should be at least Top 15 and definitely ahead of Georgia and Missouri.
Being outranked by the Dawgs is like adding insult to injury for the Gamecock faithful.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
5 of 10
Yes, the Irish are enjoying their highest ranking in a while. However, take a look above them, and you will see reason for this storied program to blush.
They currently sit at No. 16—not bad until you consider the teams ranked above them.
From Boise State to Wisconsin and Michigan State to the Big East's WVU Mountaineers, the Irish are trailing programs it would seem have no place above them in the hierarchy of football powers.
OK, OK, it's just a preseason poll, but still, it must be a little irking to see.
5. Michigan State Spartans
6 of 10
We know that Gordon Gee does not speak for all Big Ten fans, but it must be a little disconcerting that of the three Big Ten teams ranked, all of them are behind the Boise State Broncos—well behind.
The Spartans sit at No. 10, three positions behind Boise State, and while they have to be happy to be ranked above Big Ten foes Wisconsin and Ohio State, having to look up at Boise State and Texas A&M must be difficult.
4. Miami Huricanes
7 of 10
The "U" has lost much of its swagger in recent years.
No, the Hurricanes are not in the Top 25.
However, their recent fall from glory and their gloomy 2011 outlook gave them the honor of being the only unranked squad to make an appearance.
In-state rivals Florida and Florida State are both ranked, as well as conference rival Virginia Tech and old nemesis Nebraska.
Oh well—at least Sebastian the Ibis was happy with the Al Golden hiring.
3. Oregon Ducks
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Hey, the Ducks may have been decimated along the front seven by graduation this past year, but it's not like they need it anyway.
Seriously though, the Ducks return some huge playmakers on both sides of the ball, have a genius for a coach and boast a plethora of assorted uniforms.
Why aren't they ahead of Florida State, with a less than proven quarterback and definitely unproven defensive squad?
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
9 of 10
Really, this is not just about who is ranked ahead of the Buckeyes, or even who is actually better than them.
It's about the head coach.
Ohio State fans, your coach is as embarrassing as the "Pants on the Ground" guy from American Idol.
As if that isn't bad enough, the Buckeyes may finish as far back as fourth in the conference.
On the bright side, they will still beat Michigan handily.
1. Florida Gators
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The Gators have enjoyed tremendous success over their history.
Right now, they are a middle of the road BCS conference team.
Nothing to be ashamed of, right?
Except for the fact the Gators' former head coach, Steve Spurrier, is at the helm of the program that is going to be atop Florida's division again this season.
Besides that, Florida and the entire Eastern Division of the SEC are an entire step behind the Western Division.
The Gators currently sit at No. 24 in the rankings.
Any school with the recruiting clout and financial resources of the Gators should be embarrassed by that ranking.
The good news is that number always worked out for Jack Bauer...
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
