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College Football preseason AP Poll 2017: 5 teams ranked too low

By Nicholas Ian Allen

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies looks downfield to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies looks downfield to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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SHREVEPORT, LA – DECEMBER 26: NC State defensive end Bradley Chub (9) (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
SHREVEPORT, LA – DECEMBER 26: NC State defensive end Bradley Chub (9) (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /

N.C. State Wolfpack

AP Top 25 Preseason Ranking: Not Ranked

There are quite a few teams left out of the initial AP Poll with the potential to jump into the rankings and stay. TCU is a dark horse Big 12 contender and Utah is always a difficult team in the Pac-12 South. San Diego State and Boise State are annual contenders to be the top ranked Group of Five team, and Appalachian State could join them (along with No. 19 South Florida) this year. And, even after going 4-8 last season, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Notre Dame in 2017.

All could make a case, but N.C. State (which received enough votes to rank 30th) is arguably the most underrated unranked team in the preseason AP Top 25. The Wolfpack finished 6-6 in the regular season last year, and only achieved a winning record after beating Vanderbilt in the Independence Bowl, so it’s understandable the team is flying under the radar. However, there are quite a few indicators pointing to a breakthrough year from head coach Dave Doeren’s squad.

N.C. State is experienced. Eight starters return on both sides of the football, and the Wolfpack come in No. 8 overall on Phil Steele’s Experience Chart – bets among ACC teams. The offensive line welcomes 89 combined starts, which is second most in the league and No. 15 overall. Led by Bradley Chubb and three other returning starters, the defensive line is one of the most talented in the country. Therefore, the Wolfpack have the potential to control the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense. Also, quarterback Ryan Finley is back after throwing for 3,059 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Next: CFB: 20 most overhyped teams of the last 20 years

The schedule won’t be easy, especially with Atlantic Division rivals Florida State, Clemson and Louisville on the slate, as well as a trip to Notre Dame, but N.C. State hosts the Tigers and Cardinals, as well as North Carolina. A national championship run isn’t likely, but the Wolf Pack could win 10 games.

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