College Football Playoff: Biggest overachievers, underachievers

RELATED: Coaching situations at LSU, Texas

The second College Football Playoff ranking was released Tuesday night. Rivals.com's Adam Friedman looked at the biggest overachievers and underachievers within the ranking, based on their average recruiting ranking from the previous five recruiting classes.

The teams are listed in descending order by difference between current College Football Playoff ranking and average recruiting ranking from the past five years.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 21

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 70.6

Overview: What P.J. Fleck and the Broncos have done so far this season is nothing short of outstanding. In the last five years zero four-stars have signed with Western Michigan and it averaged just seven three-star prospects per class. Leading rusher Jarvion Franklin and leading tackler Robert Spillane were both three-star prospects while starting quarterback Zach Terrell and leading wide receiver Corey Davis were two-stars.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 12

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 61

Overview: Colorado’s recruiting ranking has been dismal over the past five recruiting classes, landing just five four-star recruits in the last five years. The Buffs already have more wins since the 2005 season and Mike MacIntyre, now in his fourth season as head coach, is steering this team in the right direction. Running back Phillip Lindsay, quarterback Sefo Liufau, and receptions leader Devin Ross were all three-star prospects while tackles leader Kenneth Olugbode was a two-star.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking:22

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 61.80

Overview: This is the sixth season since Boise State joined the Mountain West Conference and the Broncos have only failed to post a 10-win season twice. Credit Bryan Harsin and his staff for their excellent evaluations and developing recruits. Boise State is winning with players such as former three-star Jeremy McNichols (the team’s leading rusher), and former two-stars Thomas Sperbeck (the team’s leading receiver) and David Moa (the team’s leader in sacks).

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 7

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 45.2

Overview: Wisconsin has evaluated and developed talented better than most teams and that is made clear by its average of 9.8 wins per season since 2006. Paul Chryst’s second season has the Badgers back among the best teams in the country while sticking to their philosophy of developing three- and two-star prospects. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook, leading wide receiver Jazz Peavy, and sacks leader T.J. Watt were all three-stars. Former three-star D’Cota Dixon and former two-star Derrick Tindal are the team leaders in interceptions. Jack Cichy is Wisconsin’s leading tackler and was a former walk-on.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 23

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 55.60

Overview: Mike Leach’s pass-happy offense is finding its footing in the Pac-12 behind former walk-on quarterback Luke Falk. Washington State is relying on many recruits that weren’t highly rated out of high school. Wide receiver River Cracraft, a former three-star, is second on the team in receptions. Defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa, a former three-star, is leading the team in sacks. Jamal Morrow, the team’s leading rusher, was also a three-star prospect.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 6

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 37.6

Overview: Louisville is largely considered a basketball school but Bobby Petrino and leading Heisman candidate Lamar Jackson have the Cardinals in position to possibly make it to the College Football Playoffs. That’s pretty impressive considering Louisville averages a recruiting ranking outside the top 35. Only signing a little more than two four-star prospects a class over the past five years, Petrino and his staff have made the most of the talent they have. Starting running back Brandon Radcliff and leading tackler Keith Kelsey were three-star prospects. Former two-star wide receiver Jaylen Smith is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 24

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 7.8

Overview: The Tigers recruited at a blistering pace under Les Miles and many thought this year’s squad was his most talented. The team looks as if it is playing harder for interim head coach Ed Orgeron but is still under-performing based on how the Tigers have recruited over the past five years. Quarterback play has largely been blamed for keeping the program from taking that next step on the field.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 18

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 5

Overview: Most consider this a rebuilding year for the Seminoles but the difference between their latest ranking and their average recruiting ranking is large. Players such as former five-stars Ermon Lane and George Campbell, and former four-stars such as E.J. Levenberry Jr., Kain Daub and many others are either not with the program anymore or haven't developed into impact players. Much of Florida State's problems this year stem from young offensive linemen and defensive backs that need more experience.

Current CFB Playoff Ranking: 20

Five-year Average Recruiting Ranking: 8.8

Overview: There are a lot of factors that have contributed to USC’s lack of success on the field but it has never had a problem recruiting top talent. Counting Ed Orgeron, the Trojans are on their fourth coach since Pete Carroll left for the NFL after the 2009 season and USC has only had two 10-win season since then. There is a long list of USC players that haven’t panned out but the fault may not totally fall on them because of the tumultuous coaching situations.