Sadly, there is just one full week left of the 2023 college football season. 12 weeks of football are in the books, yet there are still problems with the AP Poll rankings. That's where we come in.
There are overvalued and undervalued teams all over the country. Let's dive in and analyze the five teams who are improperly ranked after Week 12 action.
It's time for the next article of a year-long series: Overrated and Underrated College Football Teams after the release of the weekly Associated Press Poll. All rankings listed are based on the AP Poll.
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Overrated College Football Teams For Week 13
Kansas State Wildcats: No. 19
Chris Klieman's program is in a good spot, as the Wildcats have won at least eight games in each of the last three seasons. However, the 2023 version of his team should not be ranked inside the top 20.
Kansas State's best win is a four-point victory over in-state rival Kansas, who started their third-string quarterback in Week 12. Their other five Big-12 wins come against teams that have an average of 4.6 victories, and Kansas State was beaten by all three legitimately good teams on their schedule (Texas, Oklahoma State, and Missouri).
In Week 13, the Wildcats will take on the 6-5 Iowa State Cyclones. Needless to say, they're not going to come out of this season with a signature win.
James Madison Dukes: No. 24
James Madison became "America's Team" after the NCAA denied them bowl eligibility this season. The Dukes entered Saturday's contest against Appalachian State at 10-0, and ESPN's College Gameday paid them a visit.
Unfortunately, they could not complete the perfect season - losing to the Mountaineers 26-23 in overtime. When you have the 109th-toughest schedule in the nation, there is little room for error. After taking the "L", they should have fallen out of the rankings altogether.
Overtime triumph!
🎙️ @AdamBWitten & Brandon Turner#GoApp pic.twitter.com/Z5e8RwdQl0
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) November 18, 2023
Tennessee Volunteers: No. 25
Tennessee always has one of the toughest schedules in the nation thanks to yearly matchups with Alabama and Georgia. They also faced an impressive Missouri squad this season. It's understandable why the Volunteers are 7-4 to his point, but it doesn't make Josh Heupel's team deserving of a top-25 ranking.
DAWWWWWWWWWWWGS ON 🔝#GoDawgs | @RocketMortgage pic.twitter.com/EOAcTgX4x8
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 18, 2023
The Vols lost all three games against its toughest opponents and took an "L" against the unimpressive Florida Gators early in the season. Meanwhile, Tennessee's best win is either against Kentucky or Texas A&M.
As things stand, Tennessee is the only four-loss team with a ranking next to their name. At least NC State and UNLV should be given the nod over Tennessee at this point in the season. Joe Milton has failed to elevate this program in the absence of Hendon Hooker, and the Vols have hardly been competitive in their losses.
Underrated College Football Teams For Week 13
Washington Huskies: No. 4
Through 12 weeks in the PAC 12 gauntlet, Washington remains undefeated. Behind quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and wide receivers Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk, the Huskies' offense has been unstoppable, and their resume is strong.
Washington has faced the 21st-toughest schedule nationally and has defeated four top-20 teams in the last six weeks. The highest-ranked one-loss team in the country is the Oregon Ducks. Who defeated Oregon? Oh yeah, Washington.
🗣️ GOIN’ TO THE SHIP‼️☔️#USvsUS pic.twitter.com/XZaonMmn70
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 19, 2023
Meanwhile, Michigan has faced the 63rd-toughest schedule this season and has one win against a ranked team. Six of their 11 wins come against teams that have not qualified for a bowl game yet. Ultimately, everything will eventually be decided on the gridiron, but Washington being behind Michigan makes little sense.
Arizona Wildcats: No. 16
Over the last six weeks, there have been very few teams in the nation playing better football than Arizona. After a crushing two-point loss to USC in triple overtime on October 7, Arizona has rolled off five consecutive wins. Four of those five wins come against AP top-25 teams.
On Saturday, the Wildcats crushed the defending PAC 12 champion Utah Utes by 24 points, and Arizona's three losses are by a combined margin of 5.3 points. For Arizona's overall body of work, they should be ahead of three-loss Oregon State -- a team they defeated a few weeks ago.
💥💥💥
McMillan with the catch and TD for the @TEPenergy Power Play of the Game in the Cats’ win over Utah.#BearDown x @TEPenergy pic.twitter.com/oO0SEcjgnH
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) November 19, 2023
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