College Football Rankings 2011: 5 Teams We've Lost Faith in

Whether you believe in preseason polls, they exist. And, in turn, create expectations.

In so many cases, ranking teams before the season leads to unfair uphill battles for those who perform beyond their pre-Media Day ranking.

For instance, is it really fair that undefeated Clemson—unranked before the first week—has to do so much more to play in the BCS national championship game than a team like Oklahoma, that was preseason No. 1?

In no way is that saying the Tigers are better than the Sooners, the belief here is they are not. Still, when it comes to the polls, the playing field doesn't seem all that level if you rank teams before they take a snap.

That said, not only does the football season bring surprises—those teams, like Clemson, that exceed preseason expectations—it also brings disappointments.

Here is a look at five of those. Some of these teams are playing well and most, if not all, will play in bowl games. However, none will be in the BCS title picture.

Florida State

Florida State put everything it had into its early-season showdown with preseason No. 1 Oklahoma, and despite being a part of a tie game in the second half, lost 23-13.

That was the first in a three-game slide that was halted this weekend with a 41-16 victory against Duke, a win that moved the Seminoles to 3-3 (1-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference).

At one point this season, FSU was ranked fifth in the country.

Are the Seminoles that good? Obviously not.

Are they one of the 25-best teams in the nation? No doubt.

But right now, they haven't shown they deserve to be ranked there.

Mississippi State

Ranked 20th in both the preseason AP and USA Today Coaches Poll, Mississippi State now sits 3-4 (0-4 in the Southeastern Conference).

The Bulldogs delivered an outstanding effort in Saturday's 14-12 loss to 15th-ranked South Carolina, but again, fell short. The truth is, only Georgia, which defeated MSU 24-10 on Oct. 1 has handled Dan Mullen's team, as Mississippi State's defense gave a tremendous effort in a 19-6 loss to Louisiana State on Sept. 15.

Still, this team, which beat Florida in The Swamp in 2010, had a lot of promise heading into the year, and that promise hasn't been fulfilled.

Texas

Coming off a 5-7 season, the Longhorns were overranked when they found themselves 11th heading into the Oklahoma game last weekend.

Now, Texas has lost two straight games—to the Sooners and Oklahoma State—and probably will end the season ranked between 20 and 25. Still, that shows a lot of improvement and the young Longhorns (4-2, 1-2 in the Big 12) should be proud of the steps they have taken.

But are they title contenders? Not yet, but maybe in 2012.

Texas Christian

OK, the only reason Texas Christian is here is because of the recent expectations it has set for itself. At 4-2 (2-0 in the Mountain West Conference), the Horned Frogs hardly can be considered a disappointment.

But they won't be making a return trip to the Rose Bowl.

That said, Gary Patterson has built a highly respected program and it is a testament to TCU that a likely 9-3 regular season can be considered even a slight letdown.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has been tough to figure this season.

Are the Panthers the team that handled then-No. 16 South Florida, 44-17, or the team that has lost 4-of-5 to fall to 3-4?

With Connecticut, Cincinnati, Louisville and No. 13 West Virginia due up next, the answer will be revealed.