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Most overrated, underrated college football teams by Power 5 conference

By John Scimeca

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 23: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans calls a play during the 2022 USC Spring Football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 23: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans calls a play during the 2022 USC Spring Football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks scrambles away from Curtis Jacobs #23 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first quarter of the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks scrambles away from Curtis Jacobs #23 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first quarter of the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

SEC

Most Overrated: Arkansas Razorbacks

Can’t pick Texas A&M to be the most overrated SEC team every season. This year, let’s mix it up and hone in on Arkansas instead.

The Razorbacks had a special season in 2021, beating Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU en route to a 9-4 record and a No. 21 AP poll ranking. It was the Razorbacks’ best campaign in a decade, and it was done behind a potent rushing attack and a “can do” attitude promulgated by head coach Sam Pittman in just his second season on the job.

This will be a tough season to follow up for the Hogs. The non-conference slate features last year’s CFP finalist Cincinnati and a road trip to Provo, Utah to face BYU. The league contests include another ‘neutral’ site game vs. Texas A&M at Jerry World in addition to the normal SEC West gauntlet.

Treylon Burks went in the NFL Draft’s first round and will be suiting up for the Tennessee Titans on Sundays. He was a special pass catcher, and he will be difficult to replace. The Razorbacks might be just as talented as last year’s squad, but they won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year.

Most Underrated: South Carolina Gamecocks

The ol’ ball coach himself proved that it’s possible to win in Columbia, South Carolina — Steve Spurrier had led the Gamecocks to three consecutive 11-2 seasons while finishing in the AP Top 10 each year.

South Carolina hasn’t come near matching that success since then, but second-year head coach Shane Beamer provided lots of reasons for optimism in 2021 after a 7-6 record, the first winning season since 2018. The Gamecocks look hungry and optimistic — and they don’t look like one of those teams that will lose a couple of games midyear and suddenly start planning for the next seasons amid lost motivation, player defections, and lack of interest (ahem, Texas and Florida).

No one has really included South Carolina in any preseason Top 25 rankings, nor have many pegged them to finish in the top half of the SEC in 2022.

Underestimate the Gamecocks at your own risk, though. Quarterback Spencer Rattler had a terrific freshman season at Oklahoma in 2020 before a lackluster start to his sophomore year. Talented tight end Austin Stogner also joins the fray after transferring from OU. The defense has its share of stars, too, including cornerback Cam Smith, who should garner preseason All-American hype.

Next. Early Top 25 rankings projections for 2022. dark

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