Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 30, 2016, 8:49 a.m.
Overall Rationale: Outside looking in: Miami, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Baylor, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, BYU
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Clemson Tigers
|
Deshaun Watson is amazing and they return almost everyone on offense.  On defense, they will reload, there is talent and stars will emerge.  Coming into the season with a QB expected to be the best in the nation and a proven coach is enough to justify Clemson at #1. |
| 2 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
I think I read a stat that, if they wanted to, they could start exclusively 5-star players this season.  Its amazing, but not terribly surprising given that they have been #1 in recruiting since r/cfb has been a thing.  Only problem is, it looks like they will start a true freshman at QB this year.  I'm sure he's the real deal, but so was Jeremy Johnson, right?Gotta give the Tigers a slight edge for preseason #1. |
| 3 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
There were points last season where this team was downright scary.  This season they have a year of consistency under Harbaugh, an upgrade at QB, and an absurd amount of returning talent on both sides of the ball, especially offense.  I completely expect this year's rendition of "The Game" to be a Top 5 match-up. |
| 4 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
A playoff team last season, they return 7 all-conference players and a senior QB who is an unquestioned leader.  Their explosive offense is matched up with an atheletic defense, and as a result, this is the first time I'm buying preseason Oklahoma hype since the '00s.  My pick to win the Big 12. |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Much like Alabama, the Buckeyes have become a well-oiled machine.  There is talent abound and a returning star QB.  The biggest issues are 1) the least returning starters in the country 2) Defensive tackle depthI believe Urban Meyer is going to show what makes him such a great coach this season.  My early (homer) pick to win it all. |
| 6 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
I've been buying Tennessee hype for a while now.  Last season I expected at least an SEC East title, and this season looks even more optimistic.  They return almost everyone from a pretty stacked team last year, and they have a great coach to lead them.  All they have to do now is win a rivalry game... |
| 7 |
UCLA Bruins
|
UCLA is another team I have been buying hype on for a while.  The only thing holding them back, in my opinion, is Jim Mora.  With him as coach, I just expect them to lose at least one game they shouldn't.  But Josh Rosen is a really good quarterback, and the Bruins are talented. |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
|
| 9 |
Florida State Seminoles
|
|
| 10 |
Houston Cougars
|
|
| 11 |
Florida Gators
|
|
| 12 |
Stanford Cardinal
|
|
| 13 |
TCU Horned Frogs
|
|
| 14 |
Arkansas Razorbacks
|
|
| 15 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
|
| 16 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
|
| 17 |
Oregon Ducks
|
|
| 18 |
North Carolina Tar Heels
|
|
| 19 |
Washington Huskies
|
|
| 20 |
USC Trojans
|
|
| 21 |
Michigan State Spartans
|
|
| 22 |
Auburn Tigers
|
|
| 23 |
Texas Longhorns
|
|
| 24 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
|
| 25 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Clemson Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.76 |
| 4 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.60 |
| 7 |
UCLA Bruins
|
1.62 |
| 8 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
Florida State Seminoles
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.16 |
| 11 |
Florida Gators
|
2.63 |
| 12 |
Stanford Cardinal
|
-0.59 |
| 13 |
TCU Horned Frogs
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Arkansas Razorbacks
|
6.88 |
| 15 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-0.08 |
| 16 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 17 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
North Carolina Tar Heels
|
0.03 |
| 19 |
Washington Huskies
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
USC Trojans
|
0.00 |
| 21 |
Michigan State Spartans
|
-1.84 |
| 22 |
Auburn Tigers
|
2.97 |
| 23 |
Texas Longhorns
|
1.77 |
| 24 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
-1.54 |
| 25 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
-0.60 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
0.61 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.68 |
Baylor Bears
|
0.00 |
Total Score: 23.39