The initial 2016 college football coaches poll was released on Thursday, and there were a few surprises. Obviously, these rankings don't mean a whole lot as teams have to prove it on the field, but it does tell us how coaches think the top teams in the country stack up against each other. However, they overestimated a few of those teams. Here are the four most overrated teams in the poll:
I understand why the defending national champs are ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll - after all, it makes ZERO sense to bet against Nick Saban at this point - but I don't think they deserve that ranking at the moment. Both Clemson and Oklahoma return more players and do so at key positions, making them much more proven commodities going into the season than the Tide, who are replacing their starting quarterback and a Heisman-winning running back. Alabama certainly has the talent to be the top team in the country - they should just have to prove it first.
Speaking of teams replacing players, Michigan State is ranked 11th despite losing a four-year starter at quarterback (Connor Cook), their top two leading receivers and five defensive players - including superstar Shilique Calhoun. The Spartans should suffer a few bumps in the road with this young team - 11 is simply way too high.
Ole Miss is in the same situation as Michigan State - except worse - returning just nine starters from last year's team. Laquon Treadwell, Laremy Tunsil and Robert Nkemdiche are all gone, leaving the Rebels without proven star power. Quarterback Chad Kelly gets boosted up as the best returning QB in the SEC, but that says more about the conference's lack of talent at the position instead of how good he is. A No. 12 preseason ranking is way too high for a team going through this much transition.
TCU at No. 14?!? This is the biggest shocker of all. Their high-powered offense is in total rebuild mode with just three returning starters. Superstar quarterback Trevone Boykin and All-American wideout Josh Doctson are gone, and while many think Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill will take the reins under center, there's no guarantee he gets the job. Eight returning starters on defense should keep the Horned Frogs as a respectable team, but an unproven offense makes them FAR from a top 15 team.
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