Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 29, 2016, 6:03 p.m.

Overall Rationale: My poll type is human, informed by the best advanced metrics available and copious viewing of college football. Early polls and in particular the preseason poll will be more heavily influenced by aggregate statistical indicators (Bill C's S&P) but future polls will attempt to aggressively rank programs based on their in-season performance.

• Ballot
• Analysis

Rank	Team	Reason
1	Alabama Crimson Tide	The Alabama Crimson Tide are the returning national champions. They have significant question marks at Quarterback, Running Back, and the Offensive Line. Depth concerns are emerging along the defensive line and secondary. Still, minor cracks in their armor should not belie their not insignificant talent advantage over every other program. Until proven otherwise, the Crimson Tide should be considered the favorites.
2	Clemson Tigers	The Clemson Tigers return the most meaningful production of any team in the FBS. Namely, there is little doubt that Deshaun Watson is the most talented and productive returning player in the country not named Christian McCaffrey. Surrounding Watson is a criminally underrated core of offensive talent (Scott, Williams, Leggett, Renfrow, Gallman, Dye, Cain, etc.) that should ensure Clemson is among the most explosive offensive programs in the country again in 2016. On paper Clemson should cede some ground defensively given their need to develop defensive line and secondary production and depth on the fly this season. However, betting against the rebuild effort of the defensive staff at Clemson lead by Brent Venables was a mistake too many made last season. It should shock no one if Clemson is back in the CFP in 2017.
3	Oklahoma Sooners
4	Michigan Wolverines
5	Florida State Seminoles
6	LSU Tigers
7	Stanford Cardinal
8	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
9	Michigan State Spartans
10	Ole Miss Rebels
11	Ohio State Buckeyes
12	Houston Cougars
13	TCU Horned Frogs
14	Oregon Ducks
15	Tennessee Volunteers
16	Baylor Bears
17	UCLA Bruins
18	Florida Gators
19	Washington Huskies
20	Arkansas Razorbacks
21	USC Trojans
22	Oklahoma State Cowboys
23	Louisville Cardinals
24	Georgia Bulldogs
25	Pittsburgh Panthers

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Alabama Crimson Tide	0.00
2	Clemson Tigers	0.00
3	Oklahoma Sooners	0.00
4	Michigan Wolverines	0.48
5	Florida State Seminoles	0.00
6	LSU Tigers	0.00
7	Stanford Cardinal	0.00
8	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.22
9	Michigan State Spartans	0.00
10	Ole Miss Rebels	0.00
11	Ohio State Buckeyes	-0.46
12	Houston Cougars	0.00
13	TCU Horned Frogs	0.00
14	Oregon Ducks	0.59
15	Tennessee Volunteers	0.00
16	Baylor Bears	2.20
17	UCLA Bruins	0.00
18	Florida Gators	0.65
19	Washington Huskies	0.00
20	Arkansas Razorbacks	2.76
21	USC Trojans	0.00
22	Oklahoma State Cowboys	0.00
23	Louisville Cardinals	0.00
24	Georgia Bulldogs	-0.50
25	Pittsburgh Panthers	0.00

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Iowa Hawkeyes	0.82
North Carolina Tar Heels	0.51

Total Score: 9.19