4. Who is, technically, underrated in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll?
If there’s an overrated side, there has to be an underrated group of teams, too. Again, to try being a bit different from when we did this for the 2021 Preseason Coaches Poll, five underrated teams in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll are …
Appalachian State (0 votes)
The Mountaineers suffer from not being quite as splashy as Coastal Carolina and Louisiana were last year. In 2021, they’ve got the team in place to be every bit as strong as those two with the talent to win the Sun Belt.
– Appalachian State Preview
Texas Tech (0 votes)
In theory this should be a dangerous team that should probably be just outside of the top 25, and at the very least should receive a few AP votes. It returns just about everyone in a super-senior year and adds QB Tyler Shough from Oregon. It’s not going to win the Big 12, but be wary – it’s going to screw up a slew of top teams on the slate.
– Texas Tech Preview
UCLA (2 votes)
Don’t get weirded out if and when the Bruins get rocked by LSU to start the season. This is a very experienced, very dangerous team that’s been built up over the last few years under Chip Kelly. It’s a fringe top 25 team that only received two votes.
– UCLA Preview
Michigan (12 votes)
Talk about the big brand being down, this really is a top 25-caliber team based on talent and upside, but it didn’t get a lick of respect in the Coaches Poll and now it’s technically ranked 32nd in the AP.
– Michigan Preview
No. 20 Washington
The proof will come down to the September 11th game against Michigan, but the Huskies have a nasty defense and enough on the offensive line push into the preseason top 15.
– Washington Preview
2021 Preseason Top 25 Analysis
Overrated | Oklahoma Respect
AP Poll is still fun | Winners & Losers
AP Preseason Top 25