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chrisb19 Ballot for 2021 Week 3

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 14, 2021, 7:15 a.m.

Overall Rationale: This is probably going to be my most controversial ballot so far, so a little explanation is warranted. I don't like overreacting to early season wins/losses, but there's always the chance to course-correct as the season unfolds. To wit: I'm still not sold on any team from the state of Iowa and don't consider the Hawkeyes' win a clear-cut top-5 performance. Clemson and Ohio St still have a ton of talent and shouldn't be punished too aggressively for their close losses (although I'll adjust this if Oregon turns out to be worse than expected). Similarly, I didn't buy the Aggies hype in preseason and a close win against a Colorado team that isn't good doesn't, IMO, justify them being ranked ahead of Clemson or Ohio St. The SEC is down overall (despite the impressive win/loss record against out-of-conference opponents), so the Aggies might skate on an easier schedule to a mostly-unwarranted top-10 finish. The only reason I'm not punishing ND more for a close win against Toledo is it's hard to imagine UCLA and others actually being better than the Irish.

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