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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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Nov 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Hayden Moore (8) throws a pass during a football game against the UCF Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Hayden Moore (8) throws a pass during a football game against the UCF Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Cincinnati Bearcats

Average Rank Movement, +9.25

Moved from unranked to top 25:
2007 (No. 17)
2008 (No. 17)
2009 (No. 8)
2011 (No. 25)

Cincinnati may have fallen on hard times in recent seasons, but before Tommy Tuberville had the Bearcats stumbling through football seasons, Brian Kelly and Butch Jones put together some pretty decent teams in Cincy.

Related Story: Why College Football Matters to So Many

The Bearcats are one of two teams who have four seasons moving from unranked to top 25 in the past 10 seasons, including the No. 8 finish in 2009.

Playing in the AAC (and before that, the Big East) doesn’t help teams gain notice in the preseason, so it’s hard work and wins against big-time programs which will grab the attention of voters. Kelly and Jones both excelled at that during their separate tenures in Cincinnati.

Luke Fickell is taking over the Bearcats in 2017, and he’ll have a lot of work to do if he wants to see more seasons like those mentioned above from his team.

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