4. Who is, technically, underrated in the 2021 Coaches Poll?
Stanford
Don’t get so freaked out by the all-Power Five schedule, people. Stanford has the talent to be a danger in the Pac-12 North. It’s not a top ten team going into the season, but it’s better than just one lousy vote.
– Stanford Preview
Arizona State
This has to be all because of the scandal after allegedly recruiting when it wasn’t supposed to during the global pandemic. Talent-wise this is easily a top 20 team – it’s technically 28th – and should certainly be higher than the two ranked Sun Belt teams.
– Arizona State Preview
Michigan
Come on – this just isn’t that bad a team. Yes, Michigan is coming off a very, very down season, but it’s technically ranked 33rd, It’s a top 25 team – at least it had better be for Jim Harbaugh’s sake.
– Michigan Preview
No. 20 Penn State
There’s not too much of a beef being behind No. 17 Indiana, buuuuuut – Penn State should be the second-best team in the East. It deserves more Big Ten benefit of the doubt than No. 15 Wisconsin – that’s about where the Nittany Lions should be.
– Penn State Preview
No. 21 Washington
This is a top 15 team that no one seems to have a handle on yet. Just wait. This defense is going to crush and kill as the season goes on, even if it loses to an under-ranked Michigan team on September 11th.
– Washington Preview