September has given us enough college football to move past preseason expectations. With the first month of games complete and the College Football Playoff picture taking shape, it's time to judge teams by what they've done on the field. The Week 5 AP Top 25 still has a few teams in the wrong spots.
Preseason rankings can be hard to shake, but voters also need to weigh who teams have played, whom they've beaten and what the numbers say. Consider this: After four weeks, only five teams have multiple wins over Power Four opponents -- Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Texas. Several unbeaten teams haven't faced that kind of test yet.
We'll learn plenty more about them in Week 5 and beyond. Let's look at five teams that garner underrated or overrated labels after four games. Preseason AP Top 25 ranking: NRWeek 5 ranking: No. 8 There's not a fanbase in college football right now more excited than those in Gainesville, with an offense scoring points at a school record-setting pace under Jon Sumrall.
Not only does offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner appear to be the early leader for the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant, but Sumrall has also already changed the culture at a program that's rarely been short on talent yet has lacked leadership. Saturday's convincing win over Ole Miss opened the lid nationally on something that's been brewing throughout the offseason. Personnel types around the SEC raved about the potential at Florida before the opener, given the players left in the wake of Billy Napier's exit.
Proof of concept was still needed. Piling up nearly 500 yards of total offense at Auburn turned heads before Week 4 made them believers. Four straight 100-yard outings from Jadan Baugh are noteworthy, and the Gators got a guy behind him -- Duke Clark -- who's equally talented.
Preseason AP Top 25 ranking: No. 12Week 5 ranking: No. 12 What have the Red Raiders shown poll voters over four wins to convince them they're still worthy of their preseason slot at No. 12? There are at least two -- heck, three other nationally-ranked Big 12 teams if you want to include Oklahoma State -- that are more attractive at this point as a potential league frontrunner pick. The offense seems to have lost its mojo in the run game, and Will Hammond has had decision-making issues through the air.
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