4. Who is, technically, underrated in the 2022 Coaches Poll?
Tennessee
Don’t confuse potential record with talent, and don’t project what the final win count might be. Tennessee has a bear of a slate, it’s going to have to fight to get eight wins, and it has an offense that’s going to rip through everything in its path. This is a top 20-caliber team starting the season in the Others Receiving Votes category at 28th overall.
Tennessee Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis
Iowa and Penn State
Come on, now. We’re all adults, and we can all speak freely here. OF COURSE you’d take these two over at least five – closer to ten – teams ranked in the preseason top 25.
Iowa returns every bit as strong – and even better offensively – than the version that went to the Big Ten Championship last year, and talent-wise, Penn State is more than good enough to be favored over just about anyone outside of the 15 best teams in America. Keeping both programs off the list to get into the club is a slap in the face.
Penn State Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis
Iowa Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis
LSU
So, you don’t think LSU has top 25 talent and a head coach in Brian Kelly who’s going to make this all come together in a hurry? So, right now, on a neutral field, you’d take Wake Forest over LSU? You’d take Houston over LSU? You’d take Miami over LSU? You think – talent-wise – that LSU is the 30th best team in college football? Okay …
LSU Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis
Florida
This is my preseason hill I’m willing to die on – Florida is about to be a thing again fast. Billy Napier’s offense is going to be dangerous, there’s a lot of talent back on D, and this is a rehab more than a total gut job from a team that lost a slew of close games last year.
I’ll be more than happy to eat it if I’m wrong, but this is far, far closer to being a top 15 team going into the season than the 37th best team in America ranked barely ahead of Utah State.
Speaking of big calls …
Florida Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis
No. 15 USC
Even more than Florida, this is my one big giant call to start the season. It might not work, and it might take more effort than it seems, but outside of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson, find a better starting 22 in America than the all-star team Lincoln Riley just put together. This is a top-five caliber team – at least on paper – but I get it. 15 is a smart wait-and-see spot. Again, find another team outside of the top four with so many great parts.
USC Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis