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Most underrated college football programs of last 10 years

By Michael Collins

Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi (90) tackles Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi (90) tackles Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Richard Yeargin (49), offensive lineman Kelby Bevelle (60) and defensive end Chris Register (45) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7: Clemson Tigers

Average Rank Movement, +3.66

Moved from unranked to top 25:
2007 (No. 21)
2009 (No. 24)
2011 (No. 22)

The reigning national champions from 2016 may be regulars in the AP poll now, but a decade ago, the Tigers were still struggling for respect…you know, back when “Clemsoning” was still actually a thing?

Despite constantly finishing high in the ACC and playing one of the nation’s toughest schedules every season, Clemson had to claw their way from being unranked to a top 25 finish three different times since 2007.

Most of the success and high rankings have come since head coach Dabo Swinney took over the program in 2009, but even in his third year at the helm, the Tigers still didn’t crack the top 25 to open the season.

To see a rankings list without Clemson now would seem ridiculous, but kudos to Swinney and the Tigers for developing the lasting impression on the voters.

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