In another crazy week of college football, no one really knows who truly is the best team of college football. Is it really the undefeated Miami Hurricanes? Or is it someone who will grow into the second half of the season? Still, through eight weeks, one thing's for certain: we sort of know who should be be contenders come season's end and who will be on the outside looking in. Here are the top overrated and underrated teams for this week.
Overrated: No. 9 BYU
After securing an incredible top 10 win at home where Bear Bachmeier got the job done, he came up just short on the road. However, it was to unranked UCF, who was formerly 1-3 against Power Four competition. This time, Bachmeier couldn't quite overcome a passionate UCF team playing for backup Keyone Jenkins.
He only completed 50 percent of his passes in the loss and couldn't convert a fourth down in overtime. Now, the loss puts the Cougars in a bit of a bind going forward, where they still have the Holy War against unbeaten Utah in two weeks' time. Lose that and the Cougars' CFP hopes could be in jeopardy.
Underrated: No. 7 UCLA
MaybeUCLAreally are the best team in the Big Ten now. After all, they are undefeated and look like one of the best defenses in the country. Most importantly, Ty Dieffenbach has filled in effectively for the injured Nico Iamaleava. He didn't turn the ball over against Michigan State, allowing RB Anthony Woods to truly shine on the ground with 112 yards and a touchdown. This Bruins team will almost certainly be tested, with games against Minnesota, Michigan and USC to come. But for now, we have to appreciate the job being done by Bob Chesney.
Overrated: No. 12 Ole Miss
While the Rebels still are in with a shot at the playoff, QB Trinidad Chambliss has never looked worse in an FBS game than he did yesterday in Austin. It was his first multi-interception game at the FBS level as Will Muschamp's defense harassed him all game long. Even a late comeback attempt felt low in energy towards the final few moments of the game. Still, Chambliss was the least of the Rebels' problems, as the defense was gashed on the ground in the fourth quarter and the run game was stymied, especially after Kewan Lacy went down with another injury. Right now, it doesn't seem like the Rebels have the same identity they did last year.
Underrated: No. 15 Wake Forest
In the ACC, nothing seems clear, outside of Miami. Behind them are a logjam of teams such as SMU and Virginia Tech in the conversation. However, no one may have expected the Demon Deacons to be in that same conversation. And yet here we are, with Wake Forest second in the ACC, looking like real CFP contenders. Jake Dickert has done a great job with the program and the addition of QB transfer Gio Lopez has proved to be highly integral to their success. They have a game against SMU coming up to potentially decide who will face Miami in the ACC championship. Win that game, and they'll be playing with house money.
Overrated: No. 25 USC
Well, you felt it coming. Yet another inexplicable loss for Lincoln Riley'sUSC. This time, while it didn't seem as inevitable, it still felt like a massive letdown for a program fighting for a CFP spot. Wisconsin absolutely dominated, even without much offensive production. Jayden Maiava looked shaky and inefficient as well. Their next two games come at home against Ohio State sans Julian Sayin and on the road against the Hoosiers. You can't say you would feel confident about them winning both.
Underrated: No. 11 Texas
Hear me out. While this Texas team has not yet played a complete game, they still control their own destiny. They now also have perhaps the best resume of any two loss team in the country. With wins against Ohio State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss, Texas may now have more margin for error with a third loss. Still, they can't have four to keep their slim CFP hopes alive. This is more about the fact they control their own destiny than anything impressive they've done. With road games against Missouri, LSU and Texas A&M still to come, nothing seems certain with this Longhorns. Still, they've bought themselves a bit of time with this crucial win.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Most overrated/underrated teams in Week 8 coaches poll
