The college football season is closer than ever as the preseason Top 25 polls roll out and create buzz. While many teams landed around their expected spots, several surprises emerged from the early rankings.
The quest for the College Football Playoff isn’t necessarily won in the preseason Top 25 polls. However, those rankings can help put teams in position to make the postseason. It’s theoretically easier to reach the playoff from the Top 25 than it is to make a significant climb during the season.
Teams have done it before, though. James Madison and Tulane come to mind as teams that made the playoff despite being unranked in the preseason. Still, several teams feel underrated heading into the season.
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Here are a few underrated teams in the AP Top 25:
Miami Hurricanes
Miami could make a strong case for a spot in the top five after reaching the national championship game last season. The Hurricanes also made major additions this offseason, particularly at quarterback, where Duke transfer Darian Mensah gives them another dynamic playmaker.
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With a roster capable of competing at the highest level and several key additions through the transfer portal, Miami has a legitimate opportunity to return to the national championship conversation. Its preseason ranking may not fully reflect the Hurricanes’ ceiling.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has a strong argument for being higher after narrowly missing out on a chance to compete for the ACC title last season. The Cardinals lost three conference games by one possession, meaning a few different outcomes could have completely changed their postseason trajectory.
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With another year of development and experience, Louisville should be capable of taking a step forward. If the Cardinals can turn those close losses into wins, they could find themselves in the ACC Championship Game conversation and potentially make a push for the College Football Playoff.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech lost quarterback Brendan Sorsby, but that shouldn’t overshadow what the Red Raiders bring back. They have the talent to be viewed as a legitimate top-10 team and should enter the season as one of the favorites to win the Big 12.
The Red Raiders have the roster and program momentum to make a serious playoff push. If they live up to expectations, Texas Tech should have a clear path to the College Football Playoff and could emerge as one of the conference’s biggest surprises.