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Weak 1 Reaction: Most Underrated Teams

How Colorado, Duke, Cal, and more exceeded expectations in their season debuts

Mike Farrell| September 5, 2023 (Updated: July 9, 2025)
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Week one reaction — five teams it appears I vastly underrated.


1. Colorado

— This is the most obvious one as I expected them to get drilled by TCU en route to a 3-9 season. The next question to answer with them is if we owe Deion Sanders an apology or not,

Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Dylan Edwards (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

2. Duke

— Mike Elko is a good coach, and I expected Duke to cover and keep this game close but I never expected a 21-point win.

Sep 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks with Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko while fans storm the field after the game at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.

3. North Carolina

— I just assumed this would be a team that would have to win in shootouts, but the defense came to play against a South Carolina team I thought would be solid.

Sep 2, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) and linebacker Amari Gainer (3) tackle South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium.

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4. Cal

— A dominant win on the road against a solid North Texas team raised my eyebrows. I thought this was a 4-8 team.

5. Georgia Tech

— They lost, but they sure looked a lot better than I expected against a Louisville team I had ranked in the preseason Top 25.

Sep 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key reacts after a loss against the Louisville Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Category: College Football, NewsTag: Cal Golden Bears, Coach Prime, Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders, Duke Blue Devils, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Mike Elko, Mike Farrell, North Carolina Tar Heels
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