College Football Rankings 2011: 3 Teams That Get No Respect

While it would be unfair to insinuate that some college football teams get all the perks, we should all be able to agree that some teams hog all the respect.

This wouldn't be a big deal, but the fact of the matter is that it's a pretty huge deal once you consider that college football teams are ranked via the subjective interpretations of a select few people.

Thankfully, these select few people generally do a good job with the rankings. But so far in this very, very, very young season, it's already apparent that there are some teams in the rankings that are going to be struggling for respect all season.

3. Boise State (No. 5)

Let's get the obvious one out of the way first because, as we all know, the Boise State Broncos just can't get no respect.

It's been this way for a couple years now, and it's going to be the same again this year. Chris Petersen's Broncos are very clearly one of the best teams in the country once again, and they proved as much with their season-opening thrashing of No. 19 Georgia.

Sure enough, though, many people were content to blame Georgia for being overrated. They're right, but the Broncos deserve credit all the same.

Sadly, I foresee this being a season-long problem for Boise State. It'll be good, but its schedule is rather devoid of noteworthy opponents.

2. Wisconsin (No. 11)

Few people predicted that they would be, but the Badgers ended up being easily the best team in the Big Ten last year.

This year, the AP poll suggests that the best in the Big Ten is Nebraska, the new kid on the block. Apparently, the voters figured a team that couldn't even win the Big 12 last year would be the best in the Big Ten by default.

Time will tell in that regard, but the Badgers showed in their first game against UNLV that they are just as dangerous as they were last year, perhaps even more so. Dynamic running backs James White and Montee Ball are still there, and you really have to like the addition of Russell Wilson.

It took some time for the Badgers to move up the rankings last year. It looks like they're in for the same kind of climb this year.

1. Stanford (No. 7)

You're going to be hard-pressed to find anybody who doesn't agree that Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the country.

However, finding somebody who thinks Stanford is overrated? That should be pretty easy. Sure, the Cardinal beat San Jose State 57-3 in their season-opener, but that's nowhere near as impressive as Alabama's 48-7 thrashing of mighty Kent State. They're the Golden Flashes, for crying out loud!

This is the continuation of a trend we saw last season. The Cardinal were a good story early on, but were then all but ignored after their loss to Oregon. By the end of the season, Stanford was arguably the best team in the country, but nobody seemed to give a damn.

I did, and I still do. And right now, I'd wager the Cardinal could beat both No. 6 Florida State and Boise State (with all respect).

For the record, I went to Cal. Believe me when I tell you it's not easy to write this stuff.