The list below is sorted by "underratedness." The teams at the top of the list were the most underrated (final poll standing furthest above preseason poll standing); the teams at the bottom of the list were the most overrated (final poll standing furthest below preseason poll standing). Any team not mentioned was unranked in both preseason and final polls.
Team | Delta | Preseason Consensus |
Final AP Standing |
Cincinnati | +18 | - | 8 |
Iowa | +12½ | 19½ | 7 |
Nebraska | +12 | - | 14 |
Texas Christian | +12 | 18 | 6 |
Brigham Young | +11 | 23 | 12 |
Pittsburgh | +11 | - | 15 |
Boise State | +10 | 14 | 4 |
Wisconsin | +10 | - | 16 |
Miami-Florida | +7 | - | 19 |
Alabama | +5½ | 6½ | 1 |
Texas Tech | +5 | - | 21 |
Oregon | +4 | 15 | 11 |
Central Michigan | +3 | - | 23 |
Georgia Tech | +3 | 16 | 13 |
Utah | +3 | 21 | 18 |
Clemson | +2 | - | 24 |
West Virginia | +1 | - | 25 |
Ohio State | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Texas | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Kansas | -1 | 25 | - |
Penn State | -1 | 8 | 9 |
Florida | -2 | 1 | 3 |
Oregon State | -2 | 24 | - |
Virginia Tech | -3½ | 6½ | 10 |
North Carolina | -4 | 22 | - |
Notre Dame | -6½ | 19½ | - |
Louisiana State | -7 | 10 | 17 |
Mississippi | -7½ | 12½ | 20 |
Florida State | -9 | 17 | - |
Georgia | -13½ | 12½ | - |
California | -15 | 11 | - |
Oklahoma State | -17 | 9 | - |
Southern Cal | -18 | 4 | 22 |
Oklahoma | -23 | 3 | - |