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GenialGiant Ballot for 2018 Week 10

Ballot Type: Hybrid

Submitted: Oct. 29, 2018, 3:24 p.m.

Overall Rationale: My new methodology, in its second week, averages the normalized performance of teams in two related computer models before adding a 10-position human tolerance. As teams must be ranked in the top 55 in both models, some teams not in the aggregate top 35 still make it into the poll. (Computer ranking in parentheses.) First N Out - Cincinnati (35*), Purdue (17) Notable Exceptions - UCF (55), Washington State (26; 58th in one model), West Virginia (44), Houston (56), Syracuse (41), Boston College (45)

Rank Team Reason
1 Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama was off this week, but has had a dominant season to date. (5)
2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame has looked very good this season, which is something that happens many seasons, but it seems like this year's team may actually be good, too. (2)
3 Clemson Tigers Clemson sees a bump here after completely dismantling FSU. (6)
4 Michigan Wolverines Michigan had their bye this week, but they are in great position as they move toward the end of their season. (1)
5 LSU Tigers The Tigers will have the opportunity to take care of Alabama and put themselves in position to make the SEC title game when they play the Tide this weekend. (4)
6 Ohio State Buckeyes Purdue's loss to Michigan State doesn't help Ohio State, but winning out still puts them in prime playoff position. (7)
7 Georgia Bulldogs Georgia beat rival Florida and is now in a decent position to win the East again. (8)
8 Oklahoma Sooners Oklahoma took care of Kansas State and still has dreams of playing in the playoffs. (11)
9 Penn State Nittany Lions An ugly win over Iowa, but a win nonetheless, and Penn State is back in the top 10. (9)
10 Kentucky Wildcats Speaking of ugly wins, Kentucky had a rough outing against Missouri, but they won, which means they're still in my top 10. (10)
11 Florida Gators A rough loss to rival Georgia knocks Florida out of the top 10 and, almost certainly, the playoffs. (12)
12 Texas Longhorns A loss to Oklahoma State muddies the Longhorns' future. (19)
13 Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa played Penn State very close and has had a very solid season to this point, especially according to my computer models. (3)
14 Michigan State Spartans Michigan State beat Purdue the week after the Boilermakers ran over the Buckeyes, which looks especially good for the Spartans. (13)
15 Utah Utes Utah looks like the best team in the PAC-12, which may not be the best sign for the conference. (15)
16 Fresno State Bulldogs I'm very high on the Bulldogs this season, as are my computer models. (16)
17 Northwestern Wildcats Northwestern is perhaps the most mercurial team this season, but they have some strong wins, so here we are. (18)
18 Washington Huskies A close loss to Cal knocks the Huskies back some. (14)
19 Texas A&M Aggies The Aggies have had a good season under new head coach Jimbo Fisher and find themselves in the top 20. (20)
20 Mississippi State Bulldogs "REEEEEEEEE, the Bulldogs just beat the Aggies;" good thing there's more to a season than just the most recent game. (27*)
21 Maryland Terrapins Maryland stomped Illinois and is once more in my top 25. (23)
22 Virginia Cavaliers Virginia pulled out the win against UNC and now has a fairly clear path to the Coastal championship. (33*)
23 Utah State Aggies Utah State has looked pretty good this year and is the second of only two G5 teams in my top 25. (29*)
24 South Carolina Gamecocks South Carolina may not be the best team in the country, but, fortunately, that's not a criterion for the 24th-ranked team. (31*)
25 Iowa State Cyclones Interestingly, Iowa State's close loss to TCU may be its worst of the season, and the team is in decent position in the Big 12. (39*)

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