Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

The Farrell Five: Texas Overrated, Clemson Slept on, and Harold Perkins vs Everybody

Mike Farrell breaks down the most overrated teams in college football, who’s being slept on…

Mike Farrell
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Head coach Steve Sarkisian watches players compete at the Texas Longhorns' annual pro timing day at Denius Fields on the University of Texas at Austin Campus on Thursday
© Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Everyone loves lists. The best this, the strongest that. Let’s apply that randomly to college football, shall we?

The most overrated teams heading into the season

1. Texas

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.

2. USC

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and offensive lineman Bobby Haskins (70) and offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

3. Florida State

Apr 15, 2023; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell reacts during the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium.

4. Penn State

Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium.

5. LSU

Quarterback Jayden Daniels scores a touchdown as the LSU Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

Overview:

You have to start with Texas every season, right? They are projected to win the Big 12 and have a ton of talent, but they always seem to disappoint, and I’m not sold on the defense. USC has Caleb Williams, and he’s an elite talent, but the trenches are still a weakness, and they could lose more games than expected.

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I like Florida State on paper quite a bit, and they should be the favorites to win the ACC, but Clemson isn’t going to just roll over, and there are some potential upsets on the schedule. Penn State depends on QB Drew Allar, and they have Ohio State and Michigan to get past, so double-digit wins again will be hard. And finally, LSU needs to establish a running game, or Jayden Daniels will wear down and get hurt, and I’m not sure they’ve solved that.

The most underrated teams headed into this season

1. Utah

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts after being doused with Gatorade in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium.

2. Clemson

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is interviewed by ESPN near quarterback Cade Klubnik (2), game MVP, after the game with North Carolina in the ACC Championship football gameat Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, Dec 3, 2022. Clemson won 39-10.

3. Texas Tech

Dec 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA;Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) passes against the Mississippi Rebels in the first half in the 2022 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium.

4. Wisconsin

Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

5. North Carolina

Sep 24, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a touchdown pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Overview:

I went with Utah last year, and they didn’t disappoint, although the loss to Florida set them back early. If Cade Klubnik puts it together and is the solution behind center, this roster is loaded and should be top 10 nationally.

Texas Tech is ranked, but are they high enough? Tyler Shough can be deadly if he stays healthy, and they know how to win close games. As for the Badgers, I love Tanner Mordecai in the new offense, and Braelon Allen will be even better against lighter boxes. UNC will be dangerous if they can improve the defense just a little bit.

The best defensive players in college football next season.

1. LB Harold Perkins, LSU

2. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

3. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

4. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

5. Dallas Turner, Alabama

Overview:

Perkins is a rare talent and could be LSU’s version of Will Anderson Jr.. Verse came back on a mission and should be the top EDGE in the country, while Newton at Illinois is an absolute monster with Jalen Carter-like potential. 

Alabama has two on here, and that’s no surprise as McKinstry is the best cover guy in the country, and Turner will do his best Anderson Jr. impression as well.

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