The Most Underrated College Football Team: Ranking a Hidden Powerhouse

Voting rules: Choose the team you think is the most underrated!

Updated on Sep 26, 2023 10:23

Are you a passionate college football fan who believes that some teams just don't get the recognition they truly deserve? If so, you're in the right place! Welcome to StrawPoll's "Most Underrated College Football Team" ranking, where your votes will help uncover the hidden gems of college football. With thousands of polls and rankings on various topics, we're now on a mission to reveal the unsung heroes of the gridiron. So, whether you're cheering for a scrappy underdog or giving props to a powerhouse that's been overshadowed, cast your vote and make a difference! Don't see your choice on our list? Don't worry, you can also suggest a missing option to ensure your voice is heard. Together, let's give these underrated teams the spotlight they deserve and ignite some spirited debates among fellow fans!

What Is the Most Underrated College Football Team? (October 2023)

1

77
votes

Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats have been consistently one of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) but have not received the same level of recognition as other Power Five conference teams. They have won 11 or more games in four out of the last five seasons and have produced numerous NFL players.
2

42
votes
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina burst onto the scene in 2020, going undefeated in the regular season and winning the Sun Belt Conference championship. Despite their success, they were not given a chance to compete for the national championship. They have a dynamic offense and a solid defense, making them a team to watch in the coming years.
Description

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers is the college football team representing Coastal Carolina University (CCU) in Conway, South Carolina. The team's mascot, the Chanticleer, is a reference to the proud and fierce rooster from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. The Chanticleers field a competitive football team in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), participating in the Sun Belt Conference.

Location: Conway, South Carolina

Football Division: NCAA Division I FBS

Conference: Sun Belt Conference

Mascot: Chanticleer (rooster)

Team Colors: Bronze, Black, and Teal
3

16
votes
San Jose State Spartans

San Jose State University

San Jose State had a breakout season in 2020, winning the Mountain West Conference championship and finishing with a 7-1 record. They have a strong defense and a balanced offense, and could be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
Description

The San Jose State Spartans is the college football team representing San Jose State University. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference. Often seen as an underrated team, the Spartans have a long history in college football and have had notable successes.

Established: 1893

Home Stadium: CEFCU Stadium

Conference: Mountain West Conference

Championships: 16 conference championships

Bowl Appearances: 12 bowl appearances
4

14
votes
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

Louisiana has been one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in recent years, winning back-to-back conference championships in 2018 and 2019. They have a strong running game and a solid defense, making them a tough opponent for any team.
Description

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns is a college football team that represents the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They compete in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and are a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The team is often considered as one of the most underrated in college football, consistently performing well but not always receiving the recognition they deserve.

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana

Established: 1901

Home Stadium: Cajun Field

Head Coach: Billy Napier

Conference Championships: 6 (as of 2020)
5

11
votes

Liberty Flames

Liberty has made a name for themselves in recent years, winning their first bowl game in 2019 and finishing the 2020 season with a 10-1 record. They have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Malik Willis and could be a team to watch in the coming years.
6

4
votes
Army Black Knights

Army has been a consistent team in recent years, finishing with a winning record in each of the last four seasons. They have a unique triple-option offense and a disciplined defense, making them a tough opponent for any team.
Description

The Army Black Knights is the football team representing the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Known for their strong tradition, discipline, and teamwork, the Black Knights are often underrated in college football.

Location: West Point, New York

Conference: FBS Independent

First season: 1890

Stadium: Michie Stadium

Head coach: Jeff Monken
7

1
votes
Buffalo Bulls

University at Buffalo

Buffalo has been one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in recent years, winning the conference championship in 2018 and 2020. They have a balanced offense and a solid defense, making them a team to watch in the coming years.
Description

The Buffalo Bulls is a college football team representing the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. The team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and belongs to the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Team Name: Buffalo Bulls

University: University at Buffalo

Location: Buffalo, New York

Division: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)

Conference: Mid-American Conference (MAC)
8

8
votes
Nevada Wolf Pack

University of Nevada, Reno

Nevada has been a consistent team in the Mountain West Conference, finishing with a winning record in each of the last three seasons. They have a dynamic offense led by quarterback Carson Strong and could be a team to watch in the coming years.
Description

The Nevada Wolf Pack is a college football team representing the University of Nevada, Reno. They compete in the NCAA Division I FBS as members of the Mountain West Conference.

Location: Reno, Nevada

Nickname: Wolf Pack

Mascot: Alphie the Wolf

Colors: Navy blue and silver

Stadium: Mackay Stadium
9

8
votes
Appalachian State Mountaineers

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State has been a dominant team in the Sun Belt Conference in recent years, winning four conference championships since 2016. They have a strong running game and a solid defense, making them a tough opponent for any team.
Description

The Appalachian State Mountaineers is a college football team representing Appalachian State University located in Boone, North Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. They have a rich football tradition and have achieved notable success both on the field and in national rankings.

Nickname: Mountaineers

Colors: Black and Gold

Stadium: Kidd Brewer Stadium

Conference Championships: 14

Bowl Game Appearances: 15
10

7
votes
UAB Blazers

UAB has been a consistent team in Conference USA in recent years, winning the conference championship in 2018 and finishing with a winning record in each of the last three seasons. They have a solid defense and a balanced offense, making them a team to watch in the coming years.
Description

The UAB Blazers is the football team representing the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), an NCAA Division I program. The team competes in the Conference USA (C-USA) and has gained recognition as one of the most underrated college football teams.

Head Coach: Bill Clark

Established: 1991

Home Stadium: Legion Field

Conference: Conference USA (C-USA)

Conference Championships: 1 (2018)

Missing your favorite team?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for underrated college football team

Record

Look beyond the win-loss record to see if the team has had close games or quality wins against tough opponents.
Strength of schedule

Consider the strength of their opponents in addition to their own record. Have they played a tough schedule compared to other teams with similar records?
Offensive and defensive stats

Pay attention to the numbers. Are they putting up impressive offensive or defensive numbers compared to other teams?
Coaching

Good coaching can make a big difference in a team's success. Consider the reputation and track record of the coaching staff.
Team chemistry

Analyze the team's cohesion and whether the players seem to be playing for each other and buying into the coaching staff's philosophy.
Injuries and suspensions

Take into account any significant injuries or suspensions to key players that may have impacted the team's performance.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most underrated college football team. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite team is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1827 views
188 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each team once every 24 hours. The rank of each team is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most underrated college football team

College football is one of the most popular and exciting sports in the United States. Every year, fans eagerly anticipate the start of the season, eagerly cheering on their favorite teams and players. In the midst of all this excitement, there are always some teams that are overlooked and underrated. These teams may not have the same level of fame or hype as some of the bigger names in college football, but they have plenty of talent and potential to surprise their opponents and fans alike. In this article, we will explore some of the most underrated college football teams and what makes them so special. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just someone who loves the thrill of competition, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in college football.