| Posted: 2023-10-03 College football rankings hold little meaning until the playoff committee begins deliberations. However, much can be said about the teams overlooked and short on respect across the country. There are nearly two dozen unbeatens out there, but not all are inside the top 25, begging the question what it will take to motivate voters moving forward. The "why not us" mantra is used at most programs nationally, but this group of 10 feels it. Combing through the Power Five and Group of Five ranks entering the meat of conference play, these teams are playing together as one and executing at a high level. That's what it takes to come from the back of the pack and get it done. Nick Saban, and now Lane Kiffin, would call the spotlight "rat poison" but these teams have rarely been able to enjoy the buzz they're beginning to generate. Here are 10 teams deserving of more respect in the national spotlight. 10. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (4-1) (Photo: Lions247 / USA Today, Getty)
AP Poll ranking: N/A Neal Brown has to love this. He told everyone at Big 12 media days that it was a slap in the face of his players to be picked last in the Big 12 ... and now look? After Saturday's win at TCU, Brown reminded everyone that his players and staffers inside the program were the only ones who believed. The best quality for this year's Mountaineers? They're gritty. And that's going to help throughout the rigorous Big 12 schedule they're set to endure. 9. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (5-0) (Photo: Getty)
AP Poll ranking: No. 25 The Cardinals didn't play their best in last week's win over NC State, but winning on the road in the ACC is never easy — especially at Carter Finley Stadium on a week night. Jeff Brohm hasn't lost a game nearing the midseason point and plays four nationally-ranked opponents the rest of the way, ideal opportunities to impress voters. Jawhar Jordan is averaging 7.7 yards per carry, Jamari Thrash is one of the ACC's top deep threats and the Louisville defense has come up with several key stops in late-game situations to preserve wins. In other words, Louisville has used a little bit of everything in their ingredients resulting in success. 8. MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD (4-0) (Photo: Getty)
AP Poll ranking: N/A Will Charles Huff leave for a Power Five opportunity? It's a possibility given the massive turnaround already accomplished with the Thundering Herd. Playing its biggest home game in years, Marshall handled Virginia Tech two weeks ago and a victory over Old Dominion in Week 5 pushed its record to 4-0. Huff is 20-10 overall at the program amidst his third season and takes this show on the road the next two games against NC State and Georgia State. 7. MEMPHIS TIGERS (4-1) (Photo: Jordan Hofeditz, 247Sports)
AP Poll ranking: N/A Tulane is the overwhelming favorite to win the AAC as the Group of Five's second-best team behind unbeaten Fresno State, but Memphis isn't that far behind either of those squads. The Tigers' only loss this fall came to unblemished and nationally-ranked Missouri away from home, 34-27, and they have a veteran roster executing at a high rate. Three-year starter Seth Henigan is producing around his career statistical averages through the air while Blake Watson has been a force in the ground game. 6. LIBERTY FLAMES (4-0) (Photo: Getty)
AP Poll ranking: N/A Quarterbacks in Jamey Chadwell's scheme always produce, so it should come as no surprise that Kaidon Salter's 11:1 touchdown to interception ratio this season ranks among the nation's best. The former Tennessee transfer looks comfortable under his new head coach following Hugh Freeze's exit to Auburn and the Flames won every game by 10 or more points. With a schedule that sets up well for the Flames in November, piling up more wins this month could put Liberty in the New Year's Six conversation in a few weeks. 5. TEXAS A&M AGGIES (4-1) (Photo: Getty)
AP Poll ranking: N/A The Aggies have a golden opportunity at home Saturday afternoon to snuff out Alabama's season and keep their path to Atlanta intact with a win over the Crimson Tide. Kyle Field has been a place of struggle for Alabama under Nick Saban and this Texas A&M team is comparable to Alabama's roster overall in terms of talent. Last week's win over Arkansas was a statement game after Texas A&M broke open a four-point contest in the third quarter. Don't worry about the quarterback situation either. Max Johnson is a more-than-serviceable starter the rest of the way following an injury to Conner Weigman. 1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (5-0) (Photo: Getty)
AP Poll ranking: No. 12 Why doesn't Oklahoma get attention as a serious national championship contender? Part of it is due to early-season scheduling, but that all changes this if the Sooners take down Texas and move to the top of the Big 12. Oklahoma averages 47.4 points per game and defensively, is noticeably better than it was last season. The Sooners pace to field their best unit on that side of the football in more than 30 years if their current trajectory continues. Buy stock in Oklahoma while you still can as a double-digit win team. |
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