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College football 2023: Most overrated, underrated teams by Power 5 conference

By John Scimeca

Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) gets set to run a play in the first half in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) gets set to run a play in the first half in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 12: Defensive End Chris Rump II #96 of the Duke Blue Devils force Quarterback Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles out the pocket during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 12, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Blue Devils 56 to 35. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 12: Defensive End Chris Rump II #96 of the Duke Blue Devils force Quarterback Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles out the pocket during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 12, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Blue Devils 56 to 35. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

ACC

Most overrated: Florida State

The Seminoles have significant momentum going into 2023 based on a one-point win vs. LSU and a bowl win against a mediocre Oklahoma squad (not to call for revenge from the 2000 national title game that the Sooners won, 13-2).

The schedule provides a tough start for the Noles. Florida State faces LSU in Orlando, Fla., in Week 1 and then travels to Clemson in Week 4 to conclude the month of September.

Most preseason polls (including the AP at No. 8) agree that FSU will be a top-10 team in 2023. I’m not thoroughly convinced. It would be great for the brands, the TV exposure, and the watchability that always matters in college football, but these Seminoles haven’t proven that they can knock off Clemson and also lost three straight contests to Wake Forest, NC State, and the Tigers last year.

Are there enough talented FSU linebackers to come up big when it matters the most in 2023?

Most underrated: Duke

More fans will be waiting for basketball to start, and that’s OK, but they’ll be missing a talented Blue Devils team on the gridiron this fall.

Duke begins the 2023 season unranked and tied for sixth in the ACC preseason rankings with Pittsburgh, according to the league’s official preseason media poll.

Quarterback Riley Leonard, a product of Fairhope, Ala., threw 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions to lead a Blue Devils offense that scored 32.8 points per game — which ranked behind only three ACC opponents (Clemson, UNC, and Wake Forest). He returns in 2023 as an experienced dual-threat presence for a dangerous Duke offense.

The Duke defense vastly improved last year, only allowing 22.1 points per game to opponents, which ranked No. 31 in the nation while helping the team achieve a 9-4 record. This came after a 2021 season in which the Blue Devils surrendered 39.8 points per game.

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