Each College Football Weeks Most Overrated/Underrated Games

Photo by Sarah Phipps from USA Today Sports

It’s May.

Some of you may be getting excited for summer, and that’s fine.

But for weirdos like myself, the itch of college football just came back.

I’m ready for it to be Labor Day weekend, and I feel many others are as well.

And, much like last year, I’ve decided to be helpful to you all.

You see, there are a lot of games during a single college football week, and so I feel it’s important for my readers to know that there will be some games that seem appealing, but really won’t be worth the watch, as well as some games you may never think to put on but might just be the best games of the weekend.

So let’s get into it.

Week 0/1

Overrated: Colorado vs TCU

Ok, ok. I get it.

I’m excited to see how Deion does at Colorado too.

He’s a must watch personality, and a lot of really good prospects came to Boulder this year.

But that team has absolutely zero depth, and while I probably will watch to see how it goes, TCU is going to absolutely blow the doors off of them.

Underrated: Nebraska vs Minnesota

I really thought about putting LSU vs Florida State here, as that is likely going to be the best game of the week, but considering both teams are likely playoff contenders this season it’s hard to consider that “underrated.”

So instead, I’ll put the first game in the Matt Rhule era for Nebraska as they take on conference rival Minnesota.

One, conference games in week 1 are a super fun idea and gives you a meaningful game right out of the gate, which makes week 1 even better.

Two, Nebraska has all the foundation and resources to get back to being a top program, and Matt Rhule’s success at Temple and Baylor before flaming out in the NFL could mean he’s the man that gets them there.

I’m very excited to see what happens in Lincoln.

Week 2

Overrated: Texas A&M vs Miami

I can already see a few months ahead.

A&M and Miami are going to be considered jump start teams as they have a lot of fun and flashy new recruits.

Hey, they might just make the playoff!

But neither of them will. And neither of them are fun teams to watch. And this game just will not be interesting.

Underrated: Nebraska vs Colorado

Am I going back on what I literally just said about Colorado?

Well, yes and no.

I still think Colorado is not going to be a good team at all. In fact, they might legitimately go 0-12.

However, Colorado lost their rivalries when they left the Big 12 in conference realignment, and Nebraska was one of, if not their biggest rival from those days.

Nebraska is back in town, for the first home game of the Deion era?

The crowd in Boulder is going to be cooking that day, and it’s definitely going to be must watch TV.

Week 3

Overrated: South Carolina vs Georgia

This does not have anything to do with South Carolina.

I really, really like what Shane Beamer is doing in Columbia.

But let’s face facts, the SEC is going to hype up this game as it’s the first conference game of the year for the conference, and Georgia is still easily the best team in college football and should roll over everyone like they have for the past two years.

This will be over before halftime, and I still think SC will win 9 games this year.

Underrated: Pittsburgh vs West Virginia

Before you accuse me of blind bias, let me just explain that the non conference schedules this year in CFB aren’t very interesting and there aren’t a ton of great games this week.

But you aren’t entirely wrong.

I am a WVU graduate, and I’m extremely excited to see our biggest rival come back to Milan Puskar Stadium for the first time since 2011, and I feel the crowd there will be exactly the same.

The vibe around WVU football isn’t great right now, but there’s no question that the fans are ready for this one.

Week 4

Overrated: Iowa vs Penn State

Look, there aren’t a lot of top tier matchups that could lead themselves to being considered overrated this week.

So, I went with ol’ reliable and decided that any time you watch Iowa football you’re really just wasting your time.

Especially since they aren’t in Kinnick, and therefore don’t have the threat of upset to help them out.

Underrated: Arkansas vs LSU

LSU’s true rival (that’s right. I said it. Get out of here with that Texas A&M garbage) comes to Baton Rouge with KJ Jefferson experienced, and hopefully healthy enough early in the season to still be super effective and not so banged up.

I always love the Battle for the Boot games, and feel they’ve lost luster as of late due to not being on during rivalry week and Arkansas’ general poor play as of recent years.

But the Razorbacks are turning it around, and could give the Tigers some trouble.

Week 5

Overrated: Georgia vs Auburn

Auburn’s new head coach Hugh Freeze, regardless of what you think about him personally (I’m not a fan), is a successful college coach.

The Tigers schedule is favorable, and they very well may be going into this rivalry game at 4-0 and a ton of momentum.

But Georgia is Georgia, and it’s year one for Hugh Freeze who hasn’t had time to make a huge impact on the plains yet.

This should be a bloodbath.

Underrated: Utah vs Oregon State

Utah is still the same, consistent, solid team coming off back to back Rose Bowl appearances with Cam Rising remaining at QB, whereas Oregon State has a fantastic defense and is finally becoming a PAC 12 threat under head coach and alumnus Jonathan Smith.

It’ll be on super late on the Friday of week 5, but we don’t call it #PAC12AfterDark for nothing, folks.

Week 6

Overrated: Oklahoma vs Texas

The Red River Shootout is one of my favorite games. I watch it every year.

But let’s not beat around the bush.

Oklahoma is hanging out around mediocre territory, while Texas is likely the most talented team in the conference.

This won’t be a close game.

Underrated: Notre Dame vs Louisville

On one side, you have Marcus Freeman, who started very slow at Notre Dame last year but took off at the end of the year as the offense improved.

On the other side, you have Jeff Brohm, a former Louisville player who takes over a talented roster that was just never able to put it all together under Scott Satterfield.

It should be a fun one.

Week 7

Overrated: Ohio State vs Purdue

Purdue has a habit of pulling off upsets against high ranked conference opponents, and Ohio State is likely to be coming in highly ranked.

So I know people are going to be throwing it out there that Ohio State is on upset alert and we all need to watch out.

But I’m not buying it this year.

Purdue has a brand new head coach after the aforementioned Jeff Brohm went back home, and they’re going with a new quarterback as former starter Aidan O’Connell went to the NFL.

There will be growing pains this year for Purdue, so I predict they’ll take a year off from the upsets.

Underrated: West Virginia vs Houston

WVU’s first game against former head coach Dana Holgorsen, in a split that didn’t exactly end amicably with a 31-10 blown lead taking an extension off the table.

I feel like that speaks for itself.

Week 8

Overrated: Tennessee vs Alabama

Last year’s Tennessee vs Alabama game was an absolute classic, as the Vols finally ended their long drought against the Tide.

But that team is gone, and Nick Saban has a loooong memory.

I’m not sure this will be such an enjoyable away trip for the Vols.

Underrated: Ole Miss vs Auburn

It’s pretty well reported that Lane Kiffin was Auburn’s first choice as coach, before Ole Miss ponied up and gave Kiffin some more cash to stay in Oxford.

It may not be the nicest environment for Lane in Auburn.

Might be fun!

Week 9

Overrated: Georgia vs Florida

You’re starting to see a theme, right?

Rivalry game involving Georgia. The other team will be super excited and hyped up for it. Georgia wins by 30.

Don’t get swept up in any hype surrounding a Georgia game. It’ll go poorly.

Underrated: Ohio State vs Wisconsin

The transfer portal makes year 1 easier for new head coaches.

Especially if they’re well regarded.

Luke Fickell has made strong strides already at Wisconsin, and there’s no better chance to make an impact than an upset win over a school he considers his dream job.

Week 10

Overrated: Washington vs USC

This is a little different game in terms of pure overrated.

Both teams are good, and this game should be excellent. Maybe even have playoff implications.

But it’s extremely likely that both teams face off again in the PAC 12 championship, much like USC and Utah a year ago.

And considering how the PAC 12 likes to eat itself, that game will likely mean a lot more and be more memorable than the original matchup.

Again, much like USC and Utah a year ago.

Underrated: Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State

Because of money and TV deals, Oklahoma is leaving for the SEC after this season.

Meaning that for the foreseeable future, this is the last Bedlam matchup.

That sucks! And I’m going to enjoy it one last time.

Week 11

Overrated: Ole Miss vs Georgia

I’m not going to keep repeating myself.

Don’t blame me. Blame the SEC’s constant hyping up of top 25 matchups despite the inevitable.

Underrated: Mississippi State vs Texas A&M

A&M just can not find a way to beat Mississippi State for some reason, but with the A&M freshman talent another year older and State going through their own changes, A&M should have a pretty good chance to take down the Bulldogs.

So I’m excited to see Will Rogers throw for 600 yards and somehow beat A&M once again.

Week 12

Overrated: Georgia vs Tennessee

Just read above.

Underrated: UCLA vs USC

Crosstown rivals. Fun offenses.

This should be a super fun shootout and a must watch, just like it was last year.

Not to mention, the red of USC vs the light blue of UCLA is just an absolutely beautiful color combination.

Week 13

Overrated: Alabama vs Auburn

Week 13 is rivalry week, which means there really aren’t any overrated games.

This is my favorite week of the year, and I absolutely love watching all of the rivalry games.

But, I have to pick a game.

And while Auburn always gives Alabama fits down on the plains, I just don’t think they have the talent in year 1 with Hugh Freeze to get the job done.

Underrated: UTSA vs Tulane

On a week where rivalry games run wild and will dominate the headlines, this UTSA vs Tulane game is a non conference game with two good G5 schools that should be a lot of fun to watch.

If there’s ever a lull in any of the big rivalry games, UTSA vs Tulane should be your first pick to turn on.