College Football: Overrated and Underrated Players and Teams

Overrated

Javon Ringer

The Michigan State Spartan already has over 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns but that's only because he runs the ball nearly every play. He is averaging 32 carries a game at only 4.4 yards a carry.

It's clear Ringer is just an average running back whose stats are inflated by the number of chances he's getting. In five games this year, he has averaged less than four yards a carry. His best games have come against the worst of the worst against Florida Atlantic, Michigan, and Indiana.

Mathew Stafford

I'll admit, he has a cannon for an arm and he's definitely first round material for the NFL. His college career, however, has not been that impressive. Look at these two stat lines and guess which one is Mathew Stafford...

41 TD, 31 INT, 6859 yards passing, 56.5 completion percentage.

43 TD, 27 INT, 7108 yards passing, 56.7 completion percentage.

Stafford is the the one on top. Can you guess who the other stat line belongs too? It's John Parker Wilson who is widely considered a shaky player. Both players are three years starters.

Stafford is super talented but he doesn't produce the way the hype suggest.

Joe Mcknight

Supposedly one of the "great" USC running backs, he doesn't produce anywhere near what you would think. He's never ran for more than 550 yards and he isn't on pace this year either. He did have a huge game against Ohio State but other than that he's really struggled.

Mcknight had seven carries for 10 yards against Oregon State, nine carries for 27 yards against Oregon, and five carries for 16 yards against Arizona.

USC Defense

Giving up less than seven points a game and statistically one of best defenses ever. They have shut outs against Washington State, Washington, and Arizona State. Not exactly offensive powerhouses. Weak schedule equals no respect.

Underrated

Shonn Green

The Iowa running back has gotten some national attention but he takes a back seat to backs in his own conference like Chris Wells, Javon Ringer, and Evan Royster. He has had at least 100 yards rushing in every game this year. Now that's producing.

He's on pace for 1,649 yards with over six yards a carry.  

Juice Williams

Last year he got some national recognition because Illinois made the Rose Bowl. However, he was more of a game manager last year. This year, he's improved dramatically in the passing game.

He's on pace to nearly double his passing yards from last year and his quarterback efficiency rating is up more than 20 points. Unfortunately, Illinois isn't haven a great year so he's not getting the recognition he deserves.

Hakeem Nicks

The North Carolina wide receiver has been producing at a high level for three years now. Nicks is surprisingly producing at his highest level yet while playing with the team's backup quarterback for much of the season.

He's on pace for over 1100 yards and get's an amazing 17 yards every catch. He is also a physical receiver who gets yards after the catch.

FSU

Bobby Bowden has FSU at 7-2 and possibly another ACC Championship. They are solid on defense as always, and this year under Christian Ponder the offense has formed a rhythm and rarely makes mistakes.

FSU could easily be 9-0 if it weren't for a bad performance against Wake Forest on the offensive end early in the season. They also had fumble in the end zone against Georgia Tech that would've been the game winner late in the fourth.

They have gotten better as the season has progressed and could end the season with huge victory over the Florida Gators and a BCS Bowl appearance.