Auburn the most overrated preseason team from the SEC in the history of the AP poll
Without fail, each and every season has its fair share of teams that are overrated in the preseason polls. SEC fans annually love to argue regarding which team is the most overrated, not only for the upcoming season but historically in the conference, as well as the nation. Depending on who you ask, you could get a different answer each and every time based on where loyalties exist.
Instead of continuing the never ending debate, Jason Kirk of SB Nation rounded up the most overrated teams in the 67-year history of the AP Poll by selecting one team each season that fell flat on its face after being selected fairly high in the AP’s preseason poll.
Based on Kirk’s methodology, Auburn has historically proven to be the most overrated school from the SEC. The Tigers were the only SEC team to be featured on the list four times, while Alabama, Arkansas, LSU and Florida were all featured three times. The only SEC school that failed to earn so much as a mention on this list was Vanderbilt — the Commodores would have to be ranked before being considered overrated.
Here’s the breakdown of each SEC school and which seasons they proved to be the biggest flop in the nation:
Auburn: 2015, 2008, 2003, 1975
Alabama: 2000, 1997, 1982
Arkansas: 1990, 1980, 1972
Florida: 2013, 1986, 1953
LSU: 1998, 1989, 1974
Georgia: 1993, 1969
Mississippi State: 2001, 1964
Tennessee: 2005, 1988
Texas A&M: 2011, 1996
Kentucky: 1978
Ole Miss: 1964
Missouri: 1970
How was OM last year not on that list? Were they not ranked preseason? I recall more than a couple of people giving them a shot to win the west.
Vegas had the over/under for OM at 8.5 last year. I don’t recall seeing anyone picking OM to win the West last year, but there are so many different publications that it’s possible someone out there may have.
What people?
While Auburn has historically flopped when they’ve had big expectations, they’ve also done very well when people doubted them. I think 1993, 2004, 2010, and 2013 should cancel those out.
Wow absolutely another gutter piece of journalism, apparently no research done for what reason? Seems, and not picking on Ga, but they were ranked #1 not that long ago in the preseason and well Ga fans still hate that season
I believe it was the Sporting News that had them 1. That really doesn’t count.
He’s referring to 2008, when the Dawgs started the season on top of both major polls (AP & USA Today/CNN) then finished 10-3. And yes, we do still hate that season.
Auburn is a very up and down team. It’s just hard to predict when they are going to have those ups and downs. The positive in being overrated is that does normally mean the program is respected. That will keep you in the preseason rankings, even when coming off a bad season. That keeps you in the conversation.
It’s a roller coaster and not for the faint-hearted.