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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 9: Tavion Thomas #9 of the Utah Utes breaks the tackle of Chase Williams #7 of the USC Trojans on second half touchdown run during a college football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum October 9, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 9: Tavion Thomas #9 of the Utah Utes breaks the tackle of Chase Williams #7 of the USC Trojans on second half touchdown run during a college football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum October 9, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Pac-12

Most overrated: USC

How confident are you in the Trojans’ defensive unit?

In head coach Lincoln Riley’s first season in Los Angeles, the USC defense gave up more than 423 yards per game, a mark better than only 12 other Power Five programs. Opponents scored at least 45 points against the Trojans in three of their last four contests to end the 2022 season.

Caleb Williams is an all-world talent and a legitimate threat to win the Heisman Trophy again this season. If his defense can’t get stops in big moments, however, the Trojans might lose their fourth straight game to Utah when the two meet on Oct. 21.

Teams shredded USC through the air last season, and although there is new talent, I don’t see a defense led by coordinator Alex Grinch being one that can compete for and win championships.

Most underrated: Utah

Plenty of prognosticators have pegged the Utes as the third-best team in the Pac-12 for the 2023 season behind USC and Washington. While the Trojans and the Huskies bring back plenty of talented players for this fall, these assumptions overlook the fact that Utah has a nasty front seven and a fine-tuned offense that could easily win a third conference title in a row.

Of course, the league will disband at the end of this season as the Utes, Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado depart for the Big 12 and USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon leave for the Big Ten.

While quarterback Cameron Rising might not play or be at full strength for the season opener vs. Florida, Utah might need him more for the road test against Baylor (the 2021 Big 12 champion) in Week 2. Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson averaged 6.8 yards per carry for the second half of 2022 after switching to the position from quarterback.

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