In recent times, the voting for college football preseason polls has driven a lot of fans to the brink. So, if you’re one of those folks who tends to get a bit frazzled, maybe consider taking a day off come Monday, when the preseason AP poll is unveiled.
The release of the AP Top 25 should ideally be a joyous occasion marking the kickoff of college football. But, well, it seems to have had quite the opposite effect recently.
Most of the fuss often stems from fans feeling that their team or conference is overlooked or underestimated. If that’s a sentiment you share, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
Top 10 College Football Teams of the 21st Century, 5 Most Disappointing Preseason Teams
Interestingly, numerous teams that have snagged championships in the last 25 years have begun their seasons ranked outside the top ten in the initial AP poll. Today, let’s reminisce about five instances that stood out in the early 21st century.
These teams surprised everyone, turning what many anticipated would be a decent season into something truly memorable.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane.
2025 Indiana Hoosiers (Preseason #20)
We start with a team that’s fresh off a national championship, showcasing just how far preseason expectations can miss the mark.
When the season opened, many believed the Indiana Hoosiers could be a dark horse, given their relatively easy schedule, setting them up for a surprising playoff run in 2024.
Not a lot of fans or experts expected Curt Cignetti and his squad to replicate that success in 2024, and honestly, they weren’t entirely wrong.
To everyone’s shock, the Hoosiers not only returned to the College Football Playoff but clinched the championship, all while facing a far more challenging schedule.
The preseason rankings considered factors like a thin roster—at least when looking at recruiting—and a formidable schedule. What they overlooked was just how skilled Coach Sigg truly was.
Special mention goes to players like Fernando Mendoza, who transformed from an under-the-radar transfer from Cal State into a Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the NFL Draft.
With hindsight, it’s easy to chuckle at those pollsters who underestimated Indiana, making the championship victory even sweeter for Hoosier supporters everywhere.
2013 Florida State Seminoles (Preseason #11)
Now, at first glance, this might sound a bit out there. The 2013 Florida State Seminoles, starting the season outside of the top ten, soon became a defining team of the 2010s, clinching the last BCS Championship ever.
Although they had won the ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl previously, they lost a lot of key players to the NFL, including quarterback EJ Manuel and two first-round draft picks from their defense.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher brought in enough talent to fill those gaps, but there were genuine questions about how quickly these newcomers would catch on, particularly the redshirt freshman quarterback, Jameis Winston.
But the Seminoles silenced their critics with an undefeated season and Winston’s unforgettable Heisman-winning run, dominating the ACC and claiming the school’s third national title.
And when I say dominant, I really mean it. They crushed almost every team they faced, finishing with a combined score of 200-35 against four ranked teams in their conference.
Looking back, Seminole fans likely grumbled about their team’s placement in the preseason poll, just as their season took off.
2000 Oklahoma Sooners (Preseason #19)
It’s interesting to note some parallels between the first national champion of this century and more recent champions.
The 2000 Oklahoma Sooners had a preseason rank one spot higher than the 2025 Indiana Hoosiers, and like them, were led by a second-year coach—and hadn’t seen a preseason rank in quite a while before this.
At the start of the millennium, the Sooners were in a bit of a slump, and coach Bob Stoops didn’t inspire much confidence after a mediocre 7-5 record in 1999.
Still, Oklahoma gained a preseason ranking for the first time in five years, symbolizing some progress, even if it didn’t scream confidence.
Stoops surprised everyone with a perfect 13-0 season and a national championship victory against Florida State, a team that had only lost once in its last 24 games.
While Stoops was known primarily for his defense, he displayed a potent offense, showcasing it powerfully in key matchups, like scoring 63 points against rival Texas.
Not bad for a team that most predicted would merely scrape by with an Insight Bowl appearance.
2002 Ohio State Buckeyes (Preseason #13)
Similar story here; another second-year coach who had just finished the prior season with a 7-5 record.
Aside from a victory over Michigan the season before, coach Jim Tressel and his 2002 Buckeyes didn’t inspire much enthusiasm heading into the year.
That was the prevailing public sentiment, at least.
With a hard-nosed running back in freshman Maurice Clarett and a strong defense, Ohio State didn’t allow more than 17 points in any conference game, including a huge upset over a top-10 Michigan team.
What was even more impressive was their national championship win against Miami, which many consider one of the greatest teams in college football history.
As 11.5-point underdogs, the Buckeyes triumphed over the Hurricanes in a thrilling, somewhat controversial double-overtime game.
Fans remember this team for overcoming the Miami dynasty, which all began with a modest preseason ranking.
2010 Auburn Tigers (Preseason #22)
If there’s an ultimate example of surpassing preseason expectations, it’s definitely the 2010 Auburn Tigers.
Aside from the talents of quarterback Cam Newton, this team didn’t present many impressive wins leading into the 2010 season.
Coach Gene Chizik, entering his second year, faced skepticism, especially after a shaky 5-19 record at Iowa State. His 8-5 finish the previous year did little to quiet the critics.
Thought to be heading for another mediocre season, everything changed when Newton stepped onto the field, drastically shifting expectations.
Words can’t quite capture how phenomenal Newton was that season; he practically carried the Tigers through a championship run, spearheading the SEC’s scoring offense while lacking any notable talent besides himself.
That fact alone highlights just how extraordinary Auburn’s journey was, though it simultaneously raises questions about the accuracy of those earlier preseason predictions.
Who would have guessed that Newton would perform at that level?
The Tigers knocked off six ranked teams that year, culminating in a perfect 14-0 record, with Newton winning the Heisman Trophy and Auburn claiming the coveted crystal football.
Right after, however, both Newton and the team crumbled, plummeting to an 8-5 record, and then a dismal 3-9, leading to Chizik’s dismissal.
It was a case of catching magic in a bottle.
