Overrated, underrated or properly rated? Evaluating all 12 teams in the second CFP rankings

1. Georgia Bulldogs (8-1, 6-1 SEC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 2  

Verdict: Properly rated 

This one feels like a no-brainer. After the Bulldogs destroyed the No. 19-ranked Ole Miss Rebels on the road in Week 10, it's apparent they're in the driver's seat to win their third straight SEC title.

The Bulldogs' stingy defense held star Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to a season-low 170 passing yards. The unit will face another highly touted QB when Austin Simmons and the No. 22-ranked Missouri Tigers come to Athens on Saturday (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Despite ranking fourth in the conference in passing yards (2,204), Simmons could be in for a rough afternoon. 

2. Utah Utes (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 3 

Verdict: Properly rated 

The Utes beat the BYU Cougars 28-20 in the "Holy War" in Week 10, despite gaining a season-low 330 yards. The Utes intercepted QB Bear Bachmeier four times, which ultimately made the difference. 

Utah should have no concerns about its offense heading into a Week 11 matchup against the No. 23-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Saturday (Fox, 7:30 p.m. ET). The Utes ranked 13th in the country in scoring (37.7 PPG) and 16th in yardage (447.5 YPG). 

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2, 5-2 SEC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 5

Verdict: Overrated 

Yes, Alabama beat the LSU Tigers 31-13 on the road in Week 10, but pin that on head coach Lane Kiffin's inability to beat the Crimson Tide. Kiffin is 0-6 against the longtime SEC foe.

And Alabama's not as complete as other teams in the field. The Crimson Tide's O-line — which has allowed the fourth-most sacks in the SEC (25) — remains a glaring problem. That said, it won't be tested in a road game against the 4-5 Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday (SEC Network, 12:45 a.m. ET).

4. UCLA Bruins (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 8

Verdict: Overrated 

This feels like an overcorrection by the committee. UCLA is coming off a 34-20 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-4), but it lacks a signature victory. And don't say their 17-15 win over the No. 16-ranked Oregon Ducks (6-3) in Week 6 counts; Ducks backup QB Dylan Raiola was making his second start in relief of Dante Moore, who suffered a season-ending concussion in September. 

To the Bruins' credit, they've been winning with backup QB Ty Dieffenbach, who replaced Nico Iamaleava after he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oregon. But they've been doing so against cupcakes. The combined record of their last four opponents is 17-19. If they struggle against the 6-3 Illinois Fighting Illini at home on Friday (Fox, 9 p.m. ET), that raises more questions about whether they're for real. 

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1, Independent) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 11 

Verdict: Underrated

We're pulling a 180 after calling Notre Dame overrated last week. The Fighting Irish handed the Miami Hurricanes their first loss in a 31-24 Week 10 home win. They could've won by more had they not taken their foot off the gas after taking a 17-3 lead into halftime. 

They may also feature the best QB in the current 12-team field, CJ Carr, who has thrown 21 touchdown passes and one interception. Expect him to shred the Boston College Eagles (4-5) at home on Saturday (NBC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

6. Texas Longhorns (7-2, 4-2 SEC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 7 

Verdict: Overrated 

This is a little high for an inconsistent, albeit talented, Texas squad, led by QB Arch Manning (18 TD passes and seven interceptions). The Longhorns beat Missouri 34-20 in Week 10, but it was much closer than the final score indicates. The game was tied 20-20 entering the fourth quarter. 

However, if the Longhorns dominate for 60 minutes against LSU on the road on Saturday (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET), that would signal they're close to max power.

7. Miami Hurricanes (8-1, 6-0 ACC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 1

Verdict: Properly rated 

Miami falling from No. 1 to No. 7 feels justified. Beating Notre Dame would've strengthened its résumé, which now looks much weaker. The Hurricanes' 33-20 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Week 3 marks their only win over a CFP top 25 team. Wake Forest (8-1) is currently No. 13.

The Hurricanes should feel confident rebounding against the 7-2 Duke Blue Devils on Saturday (ABC, noon ET), especially after QB Darian Mensah proved he can thrive without wide receiver Malachi Toney, who could miss three more games with an ankle problem. Mensah went 24-of-43 passing for 269 yards, three TDs and one pick against Notre Dame. 

8. Tennessee Volunteers (7-2, 4-2 SEC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 13 

Verdict: Properly rated

The committee corrected its previous mistake here. Tennessee shouldn't have needed to throttle the Kentucky Wildcats 34-6 in Week 10 to prove it belongs, but alas, it did. 

Tennessee could remain here thanks to a defense that belongs in the same tier as Georgia and other SEC powers. The Volunteers are tied for 10th nationally in points allowed (15.1 PPG). 

9. Indiana Hoosiers (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 4 

Verdict: Underrated 

Perhaps the committee saw the backlash and felt it gave the defending national champions too much slack. But five spots? HC Curt Cignetti will carp about SEC bias even more now. 

Perhaps the committee's worried about the Hoosiers' QB situation. Starting QB Josh Hoover (shoulder) is "on the mend," and Cignetti hasn't named a starter for Saturday's home matchup with the No. 18-ranked USC Trojans (CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET). Senior QB Grant Wilson — who has completed 13-of-22 passes for 230 yards and three TDs this season — will get the nod if Hoover can't go.

10. BYU Cougars (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 9 

Verdict: Overrated

The BYU offense doesn't seem trustworthy considering Bachmeier's recent struggles. Over his past three games, the QB has thrown more interceptions (six) than TD passes (four). 

Perhaps when star running back LJ Martin finds his groove again, the Cougars will kick it back into high gear. After missing four games with an ankle issue, he returned against Utah, running for 19 yards on seven carries. He may continue to get up to speed Saturday at home against the Baylor Bears (Fox, 3:30 p.m. ET). 

11. Kentucky Wildcats (7-2, 5-2 SEC) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 6 

Verdict: Properly rated

Kentucky's CFP bubble is now on the verge of bursting. The Wildcats have suffered two 28-point losses to teams in the top 12. Alabama crushed them at home 45-17 in Week 2. 

Many may wonder if Kentucky's a good team but simply not CFP-caliber after those losses. A home loss to the 5-4 Florida Gators on Saturday (ESPN, 6:15 p.m. ET) would confirm that. 

12. Boise State Broncos (8-1, 5-0 Pac-12) | Last week's projected seeding: No. 12 

Verdict: Properly rated

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) are ranked No. 12 in the CFP, but Boise State would own the final seed because it leads the Pac-12. Barring any hiccups, it should remain here. 

The Broncos earned an eighth straight win in their 64-38 drubbing of the Colorado State Rams in Week 10. As of Tuesday night, DraftKings Sportsbook lists them as a 13.5-point favorite in their home game against the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday (USA Network, 6 p.m. ET).