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BabyBladder Ballot for 2017 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 17, 2017, 2:19 p.m.

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes For anyone reading this, I typically do my pre-season polls as forecasts for end of season results (for fun). Last season's pre-season can be seen here: https://poll.redditcfb.com/ballot/28838/. Correctly predicted 3/4 playoff teams, but laughably over-valued MSU/ND. Nailed Pac-12 missing out (though undervalued USC).Now for my top 10 predictions:Ohio State goes 14-1 on the season. They're 11-0 going into the Michigan game, but already have the Big 10 East locked up. Michigan balls out as a statement game, Ohio State obviously gives its all but the Big 10 CCG is in the back of their mind the entire time.
2 Alabama Crimson Tide Bama finishes 13-2, losing their opener to FSU and to OSU in the NCG, but run the table otherwise.
3 Oklahoma Sooners The Sooners enter the playoffs at the #2 spot, only losing to Ohio State in the regular season. They beat up on a weak Big 12, and unload on rival Ok. St., twice. However, the Crimson Tide are too much in the playoff and they finish 12-2 on the season.
4 Florida State Seminoles A favorable schedules allows the Seminoles to go 11-2 in the regular season, losing to Alabama in the opener by a small and respectable margin. They also lose to Clemson while exacting revenge on Lousiville in the ACC. However, thanks to Clemsons 2 ACC losses, the Seminoles head to the CCG.Oddly enough, of my 4 predicted playoff teams (and not surprising ones), each plays at least 1 other projected playoff team in the regular season. The committee puts the only 2 loss team at 4, and in order to avoid rematches in the semi-finals puts OSU at #1 in order to allow fresh matchups.
5 Michigan Wolverines I think most top 25 preseason projections are under-estimating the Wolverines. Yes, they lost a lot of talent, but at this point with the level of recruiting and coaching from Harbaugh, that doesn't mean all that much. Much like other tops with great coaches and recruiting they're capable of reloading in 1 off-season.Despite being one of the top teams, Michigan runs into some trouble. They drop games @PSU, and @Wisconsin. They beat their 2 rivals (booo), and win a great Orange Bowl game vs Clemson.Michigan fans leave the season still unsatisfied, but at the same time content with their season. Beating MSU and OSU keeps hopes of future success up, but not being able to win the division again keeps frustrations alive.
6 USC Trojans USC goes 10-3 in the regular season, but end fairly strong which is why they appear above Stanford. Drop their first meeting vs Stanford the 2nd game of the season, along with visits to Pullman and South Bend. However, they represent the South in the CCG as they beat every other south team and they all have 1 other loss. 
7 Clemson Tigers Clemsons pretty solid, going 9-3 in the regular season. They struggle early before turning it on late. Losing OOC to Auburn, in conference @Louisville, and then falling in the trap game @NC State the week before what they thought was a season defining matchup vs FSU. Surprisingly they rebound and pull out a surprise against FSU. They end up representing the ACC in the Orange Bowl due to FSU heading to the playoffs where they fall to Michigan.
8 Stanford Cardinal Stanford go 10-3 in the regular season. They beat USC early in the season to enter the playoff discussion. However they drop games to Washington and UCLA. Battling FSU for the 4th and final playoff spot they play vs USC in the Pac 12 CCG, but USC exacts revenge. 
9 Georgia Bulldogs
10 Wisconsin Badgers The sneaky Badgers round out the top 10, finishing the regular season at 10-3. They lose @BYU early, and also lose @Nebraska. However, with only 1 loss in the Big 10 they represent the west over Nebraska. However, in traditional Big 10 CCG fashion, there is an ass whooping. Wisconsin is not on the giving end.
11 Washington Huskies
12 Nebraska Cornhuskers
13 Utah Utes
14 Louisville Cardinals
15 Auburn Tigers
16 Washington State Cougars
17 Pittsburgh Panthers
18 Florida Gators
19 Penn State Nittany Lions
20 Northwestern Wildcats
21 USF Bulls
22 Michigan State Spartans
23 Texas Longhorns
24 LSU Tigers
25 Oregon Ducks

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