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jchall3 Ballot for 2021 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 25, 2021, 4:22 p.m.

Overall Rationale: My overall approach is to start in week 1 with teams ranked on the anticipated result if they played on a neutral field in the upcoming week (analogous to a power index). As the season progresses the ranking will then consider actual on field results with more emphasis placed on results as the season goes on. So for example, in week 7 the poll with be roughly weighted as 50% of what the anticipated result would be (a power index) and 50% of actual results (a resume). By the final poll I will rate teams based solely on what they actually achieved on field with good wins rewarded and bad losses punished.As a whole, I will rank teams week to week based on the whole of the team. Everything will be considered from in hard objective in game statistics to abstract subjective metrics such as game control. Injuries (both in game such as player being "banged up" as well as players being out) will be considered in the poll. Each team represents more than the sum of its parts and this is to be considered a through and through human poll.In an effort to avoid "poll momentum", I will conduct each poll independent of previous weeks. It would be more likely for a team to be "jumped" during an off week, for example, than for a team to increase (or decrease) in ranking due to unexpected wins and losses of other teams.Finally, as a point of emphasis I will avoid "meme" or "peoples" picks. I view the r/CFB as if it was a legitimate poll wire and take my picks very seriously. If a team is or is not on my poll it is due to both their anticipated and actual results.  

Rank Team Reason
1 Oklahoma Sooners Oklahoma returns a trove of talent and Spencer Rattler is primed to be the next big Oklahoma superstar QB under Riley. OU gets the nod from me for preseason No. 1 due to the "move in ready" status of the team. 
2 Alabama Crimson Tide While it seems to be impossible to return the offensive talent which departed this spring, Alabama's defense looks to be a force to be reckoned with; They easily slot into the No. 2 ranking with only QB experience to be holding them back.
3 Texas A&M Aggies The aggies have every ingredient they need to make this year special. Returning an insane amount of talent combined with a proven coach in Jimbo, the aggies are truly a force to be feared in the SEC this year. Only the Tide stand above them and the gap has never looked narrower.  
4 Georgia Bulldogs Georgia appears to be in great position to forget their offensive woes from a season ago returning 8 starters. Kirby has always been known to bring a great defense and all the pieces are in place. However, the SEC is a crucible and their No. 4 ranking lands them at... No. 3 in the conference. 
5 Clemson Tigers It seems that for a while Alabama and Clemson shared the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 slot indefinitely, but replacing the number one overall draft pick and 3 year starter at QB is no small task. Like Alabama they will be looking to gel quickly as their week 1 date with Georgia could have huge implications.
6 Ohio State Buckeyes One of the most talent rich programs in the nation, the Buckeyes will need to grow quickly as they only return 11 starters and as such fall to the No. 6 slot in my preseason ranking. However, they are deadly to all but the most elite teams and Ryan Day has a track record of keeping the Buckeyes in prime position. 
7 Iowa State Cyclones No poll momentum here, the Cyclones earn their No. 7 spot on returning talent at a whopping 20 starters. Oh yeah and those starters did pretty good last year with wins over OU and Texas. After a full spring summer and fall camp and one of the hottest coaches in the land, look for Iowa State to make a run at it this year. 
8 North Carolina Tar Heels Mack Brown as never looked better in powder blue- and his Tar heels, much like the Cyclones above, look to be in great position to make a run at it this year. They too benefit from a returning QB and key talent. 
9 Oregon Ducks Oregon appears to be the team to beat in the PAC-12 this year and have the talent to match. Look for the Ducks to keep the PAC-12 on the map this year and maybe make a run at something bigger. 
10 Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin is primed to be in position to battle for the B1G this year and has the talent to do so.
11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
12 Ole Miss Rebels
13 Indiana Hoosiers
14 Texas Longhorns
15 Auburn Tigers
16 LSU Tigers
17 Cincinnati Bearcats
18 Penn State Nittany Lions
19 Miami Hurricanes
20 Florida Gators
21 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
22 UCF Knights
23 Iowa Hawkeyes
24 Oklahoma State Cowboys
25 USC Trojans

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