Most overrated CFB teams in AP Top 25

Most overrated CFB teams in AP Top 25

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Most overrated CFB teams in AP Top 25

You know the college football season is right around the corner when the preseason AP Top 25 poll is released. The poll came out on Monday, Aug. 17, and pundits are trying to figure out which teams might be underrated and which might be overrated.

Following are four teams I believe the voters overrated heading into the 2026 season.

MORE: 2026 College Football Playoff projection: Oregon, Notre Dame take top spots

Texas A&M, No. 8

NCAA Football: Samford at Texas A&M

Nov 22, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko on the field in the second half of a game against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Head coach Mike Elko took the Aggies to the College Football Playoff a year ago, and Texas A&M returns star QB Marcel Reed, along with a defense that should be stout once again. However, when the season begins, the Aggies could falter quickly.

Texas A&M lost 14 starters to graduation and the NFL draft this past offseason, on top of a brutal schedule. It’s never easy playing in either the Big Ten or the SEC, but the Aggies only get two games at home against top-25 opponents.

Between a roster overhaul and traveling to four teams ranked inside the top 25 — it could be a long road for Texas A&M.

Alabama, No. 13

NCAA Football: Rose Bowl-Alabama at Indiana

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer looks on before the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Nick Saban is gone, but it’s still Alabama — at least the name is. Nothing against head coach Kalen DeBoer; he is a good coach, but the Crimson Tide have been a shell of what they were under Saban.

DeBoer has been at Alabama for two seasons, losing four games in each season. The Tide barely squeaked into the playoff last season and lost badly in the second round. To make matters worse, Alabama is without Ty Simpson at quarterback.

It’s likely Alabama starts former five-star Keelon Russell behind center this year, but it’s not clear how well he will do. Alabama should be ranked, but inside the top-15 with so many questions feels a bit high.

Penn State, No. 18

NCAA Football: Penn State Blue-White Spring Game

Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) reacts during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Penn State’s schedule makes it worth buying stock in the Nittany Lions this season. Penn State doesn’t draw Ohio State, Oregon or Indiana this season.

The toughest games are against USC and Michigan, and it’s possible the Nittany Lions win 10 games this season. However, Penn State was supposed to be a top-five team a year ago, and that was with James Franklin, Drew Allar, a loaded defense and two star running backs.

We know what unfolded, and the Nittany Lions won seven games. Matt Campbell is a good coach and should excel there, but let’s start with cautious optimism.

Iowa, No. 22

Iowa's Tory Taylor (9) gets a high-five from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, left, while celebrating a punt with special teams

Iowa’s Tory Taylor (9) gets a high-five from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, left, while celebrating a punt with special teams coordinator LeVar Woods during a NCAA non-conference football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Hawkeyes are back to their old selves. Iowa will depend on a stout defense and a reliable rushing attack. It will have to, because Iowa likely won’t have much of a passing attack.

In typical Hawkeye fashion, Kirk Ferentz has a QB battle brewing between two inexperienced gunslingers. It’s certainly possible the Hawkeyes develop a passing attack this season, but when has Iowa actually done that? Mark Gronowski was OK, but he was a transfer.

Iowa doesn’t develop QBs at a high rate, and we need to see it to believe it. The Hawkeyes shouldn’t be ranked to start the season, despite going 8-4 in 2025.

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