3 Most Overrated Teams in AP Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 7
As the college football season progresses past Week 7, the AP Top 25 poll continues to shape the narrative of the year. However, not all teams live up to the lofty expectations set for them. While some have genuinely earned their high rankings, others may be riding the wave of preseason hype or benefiting from favorable schedules, without truly showcasing top-tier performance. Here’s a closer look at the three most overrated teams in the AP Top 25 after Week 7.
1. USC Trojans
The USC Trojans entered the 2024 season with Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams leading the charge, and many expected them to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, by Week 7, USC’s ranking in the AP Top 25 appears increasingly inflated due to significant concerns on the defensive side of the ball.
Despite Williams' heroics and the Trojans' high-powered offense, their defense has been exposed multiple times this season. In games against formidable opponents, the Trojans' inability to stop the run or cover well in the secondary has been a glaring weakness. Close victories against unranked teams and a high-profile loss to a tough opponent only highlight the College football 25 Coins defensive issues that could derail their season.
USC’s struggles, particularly in giving up big plays and allowing high scores, make them look vulnerable. While their offense can keep them in games, the defense will be their Achilles' heel, and as competition stiffens, the Trojans may not justify their top-10 ranking for long. A deep postseason run seems unlikely unless they significantly tighten up defensively, making USC one of the most overrated teams after Week 7.
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish consistently find themselves ranked in the AP Top 25, largely due to their storied history and strong fanbase. After Week 7 of the 2024 season, they remain ranked highly, but their actual performance on the field hasn’t lived up to the hype. Notre Dame's strength of schedule is often cited as one of the toughest, yet their inconsistency against top-tier competition is a cause for concern.
In key matchups, particularly against ranked opponents, the Fighting Irish have faltered. While they’ve managed to pull off a few big wins, their inconsistency and reliance on individual star performances have been exposed. In some games, their offense has looked pedestrian, and the defense, though solid at times, has been prone to giving up key plays in clutch moments.
Notre Dame's offense lacks the explosiveness needed to compete with the truly elite teams, and while they’ve secured wins, their ranking seems to overestimate their ability to contend for a national title. Without a more consistent offensive showing and better execution in high-pressure situations, the Fighting Irish may be in for a rude awakening later in the season.
3. Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns began the season as one of the most talked-about teams, especially after their impressive win over Alabama. This victory propelled them up the AP Top 25 rankings, and they quickly became a favorite to win the Big 12 and possibly make a run at the College Football Playoff. However, by Week 7, cracks in their armor are starting to show, and their ranking may not accurately reflect their current form.
The Longhorns’ defense, which played a pivotal role in their early success, has started to buy CFB 25 coins falter in more recent weeks. Opposing teams have found ways to exploit Texas’ secondary, and their defensive front has struggled to generate the same pressure it did earlier in the season. Additionally, their offense, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, has been inconsistent. When Ewers is on, the Longhorns are nearly unstoppable, but when he's pressured or off his game, the offense stagnates.
Texas has also struggled with discipline, committing untimely penalties and making mental mistakes that have cost them dearly in close games. With key matchups still on the horizon, there is legitimate concern that the Longhorns are not as dominant as their early-season hype suggested. Unless they can return to their Week 2 form and show more consistency on both sides of the ball, Texas may tumble down the rankings, revealing that their lofty AP ranking was premature.
Conclusion
While the AP Top 25 poll provides a snapshot of which teams are excelling throughout the season, it’s not always an accurate representation of a team’s true strength. After Week 7, the USC Trojans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Texas Longhorns stand out as the most overrated teams, with significant questions surrounding their ability to sustain their rankings as the season progresses. Whether due to defensive struggles, inconsistency against ranked opponents, or faltering under pressure, these teams will need to improve dramatically if they hope to justify their high rankings moving forward.
