NCAAF · 1 year ago

Most Underrated Team in Each Power Conference

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

Big Ten - Indiana Hoosiers (unranked)
Indiana is not ranked. They did not receive any votes and were probably nowhere near that threshold for any voters. We do have a ranking for them, and it is 17th. That is 17th in the Big Ten, ahead of only Purdue in the preseason media poll for the league. It is justifiable, but IU’s new staff and roster will do significantly better than the conference's basement. Proven winner Curt Cignetti left James Madison for the challenge of turning Indiana around, and he quickly flipped the roster with several impact transfers joining the team. That includes several all-conference players from the Group of Five and veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke. IU has a strong group of skill players and a level of proven production that should be able to navigate a manageable division-less Big Ten schedule to a bowl game. If that happens, IU will finish much higher than where they are picked to be in the conference.

Indiana 2024 Win Total: 5.5
SEC - Tennessee Volunteers (#15)
There are valid concerns about the 2024 Tennessee Volunteers. The offensive line might not be elite. The defense, mainly the secondary, is susceptible, and the pass rush outside of star James Pearce is unproven. The run defense could stand to improve. Nico Iamaleava will be an absolute star, and if Josh Heupel has a top-tier quarterback, Tennessee will finish among the nation’s leaders in offense. There is a genuine chance the Vols will be a top-five offense, and if that is the case, they are likely underrated at No. 15 and a very dangerous opponent for SEC foes. Tennessee has fewer question marks than teams like LSU and Florida State, and if the Volunteers were taking on Utah in the season opener on a neutral field, I’d wager Tennessee would be favored. The top ten would be too rich, but they should be a few spots better than 15. If Tennessee gets consistent play from their secondary, this could be a real challenger for the SEC Championship Game.

Tennessee Odds to Win SEC Championship Game: +1800
Big 12 - UCF Knights (unranked)
A Gus Malzahn rushing attack with KJ Jefferson at quarterback and a trio of running backs led by RJ Harvey, Peny Boone, and Johnny Richardson is scary for opponents. The UCF Knights have that, plus a solid group of wide receivers with Kobe Hudson and an emerging star at tight end. The offensive line is not elite, but they do have veteran experience and will be adequate, given the talent in the backfield and the system. The defense might have depth issues, but the secondary has a couple of excellent players, and the defensive line is anchored by Lee Hunter and a good group of pass rushers. UCF’s schedule is very manageable, and I do not understand why the Knights are unranked while teams like Colorado, Nebraska, Washington, Liberty, SMU, and Boise State are receiving votes. UCF is a realistic threat to play for the Big 12 Championship.

UCF Odds to Win Big 12: +800
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ACC - Virginia Tech Hokies (#27)
The Virginia Tech Hokies are currently unranked but receiving the second-most votes of unranked teams, right behind Louisville. Looking back at the 2023 season, it is easy to see why the Hokies are getting some love as a sleeper in the ACC that could easily outperform their unranked status. After weeks of alternating between Grant Wells and Kyron Drones at quarterback, a switch flipped after the October 7 loss to Florida State as head coach Brent Pry turned the attack over to the athletic Drones. The Hokies were 2-4 then, but they rattled off wins over Wake Forest, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, and Tulane to rally to a 7-6 record. The portal did not damage Virginia Tech. Instead, nearly every 2023 contributor returns, and there is a lot of optimism that they can take advantage of a weak schedule and build momentum toward a double-digit win season.

Virginia Tech 2024 Win Total: 8.5
Big Ten - Indiana Hoosiers (unranked)
Indiana is not ranked. They did not receive any votes and were probably nowhere near that threshold for any voters. We do have a ranking for them, and it is 17th. That is 17th in the Big Ten, ahead of only Purdue in the preseason media poll for the league. It is justifiable, but IU’s new staff and roster will do significantly better than the conference's basement. Proven winner Curt Cignetti left James Madison for the challenge of turning Indiana around, and he quickly flipped the roster with several impact transfers joining the team. That includes several all-conference players from the Group of Five and veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke. IU has a strong group of skill players and a level of proven production that should be able to navigate a manageable division-less Big Ten schedule to a bowl game. If that happens, IU will finish much higher than where they are picked to be in the conference.

Indiana 2024 Win Total: 5.5
SEC - Tennessee Volunteers (#15)
There are valid concerns about the 2024 Tennessee Volunteers. The offensive line might not be elite. The defense, mainly the secondary, is susceptible, and the pass rush outside of star James Pearce is unproven. The run defense could stand to improve. Nico Iamaleava will be an absolute star, and if Josh Heupel has a top-tier quarterback, Tennessee will finish among the nation’s leaders in offense. There is a genuine chance the Vols will be a top-five offense, and if that is the case, they are likely underrated at No. 15 and a very dangerous opponent for SEC foes. Tennessee has fewer question marks than teams like LSU and Florida State, and if the Volunteers were taking on Utah in the season opener on a neutral field, I’d wager Tennessee would be favored. The top ten would be too rich, but they should be a few spots better than 15. If Tennessee gets consistent play from their secondary, this could be a real challenger for the SEC Championship Game.

Tennessee Odds to Win SEC Championship Game: +1800