The most underrated college football team in each power conference in 2024

College football season has arrived, and we have just a few more days to make our final proclamations for the 2024 season. I just laid out who I believe to be CFB's most overrated teams for this year. I'll now share some hope and positivity with the teams I believe to be underrated.

Now I should be clear that how I'm choosing to define "underrated" isn't based on preseason rankings, conference predictions, or Vegas win totals. This is a "vibes-based" operation. What vibes do I believe college football fans are giving off when they speak (or don't speak) on these teams?

So based off my own odd methodology for this exercise, here is the most underrated team in each power conference entering 2024...

ACC: Cal Golden Bears

Just like it'd be really easy to call FSU the most overrated ACC team at this point, it'd be really easy to crown Georgia Tech as the league's most underrated team. But I won't do that just because we've seen them play. How about league newcomer Cal?

Cal quietly made a bowl game last season, and ACC programs shouldn't just be assuming the Golden Bears will be a win as they look through their schedules. Cal made big improvements offensively last season and return one of the nation's best RBs in Jaydn Ott and a good bit of experience across that unit. Their defense struggled but get's a lot back, and most of Justin Wilcox's teams in Berkeley have played good defense.

This should be a bowl team again, and don't be surprised if they play spoiler to an ACC contender.

Big Ten: USC Trojans

I can hear some of you now. "On what planet would USC be underrated? If anything they're always overrated!". And that exact response is why the Trojans are, in fact, underrated going into 2024.

Yes, USC went 7-5 in 2023 with Caleb Williams at QB, who is now in the NFL. Yes, they're joining a much tougher league in the Big Ten. But I think it's time to buy low on the Trojans.

QB Miller Moss shined in the bowl game, and there's still a ton of skill talent here (not that we need to doubt a Lincoln Riley offense's ability to score). Defense is what's been the issue, but Riley made the necessary moves in the offseason to improve that unit for 2024.

Their schedule is manageable, and despite not having the superstar at QB, they should be a more complete team. Don't just bank on the LA team being too soft for Midwestern football.

Big 12: Iowa State Cyclones

There's some buzz around Iowa State from some in CFB media circles, but I'm not sure most fans are thinking of the Cyclones when it comes to talking Big 12 contenders. Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and even Kansas are getting much of the attention this offseason, but Matt Campbell may have an impressive team this fall.

After a 1-2 non-conference record to start 2023, Iowa State went 6-3 in Big 12 play. They found something in young QB Rocco Becht and played their typical salty defense. Well now basically that entire team returns for 2024.

This is as veteran-laden a roster as you'll find in CFB, and they're poised to take a step forward this season. They play a pretty difficult schedule, but the Cyclones are absolutely capable of winning this league.

SEC: Oklahoma Sooners

Similarly to USC, it's a bit weird to be calling Oklahoma of all teams underrated. But the Sooners are genuinely being overlooked in 2024!

While everyone seems comfortable labeling Texas as an instant contender in the SEC, no one wants to give that benefit of the doubt to OU, which is ironic considering the overall results from those programs in recent history. The Sooners have been penciled-in as a team that's in for a hard time leaving the comforts of their old league for the big, bad SEC. I'm not ready to declare that.

Even without QB Dillon Gabriel, this OU offense can be great. Their skill talent is elite, and that program was ready for Jackson Arnold to take the reins under center. And they finally have a defense! Danny Stutsman is a stud at LB, and they've got a ton back on that side of the ball.

I get they face a very difficult schedule. I get there are some question marks. But I think Brent Venables is running things well in Norman, and the pieces are there to be competitive right away in the SEC.