Back to poll results >>

GatorBolt Ballot for 2022 Final

Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Jan. 10, 2023, 11:54 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Resume based after the year. I tried to not weigh some of the Bowls too too heavily since this is the age of opt-outs. That said, South Alabama still leaves because of that shellacking (seriously I stuck up for them and gave them votes only to do that in the bowl!) and UCLA leaves for Pitt because of the ending of that Sun Bowl.

Rank Team Reason
1 Georgia Bulldogs 15-0 and 65-7. What else can you say that hasn't been said. Kirby's built a Death Star in Athens. Now it's up to the rest of the SEC to try and find the thermal exhaust port.
2 TCU Horned Frogs A dream season that ended in nightmare. Still they earned being ranked above Michigan on the field. The title game reflects more to validate Georgia than to invalidate the year TCU had.
3 Michigan Wolverines A great year that ended painfully against TCU. Still B1G champs back to back and beating Ohio State again had to felt good, but when your goals become higher it's a tough pill. Probably even tougher with the constant Harbaugh NFL rumors that seem to be gaining speed.
4 Ohio State Buckeyes 2022 Ohio State was the bridesmaid and never the bride. The thought of "what if Marvin Harrison Jr. didn't get hurt?" will permeate in Columbus for a long time.
5 Alabama Crimson Tide 11-2 with both losses by 4 combined points and ending with a blowout Sugar Bowl win would be a dream season for most programs. For Alabama, it's Tuesday.
6 Tennessee Volunteers Maybe didn't end up feeling like 1998 after all, but capping off a resurgent season with an Orange Bowl win is still a great season to finally end the tumultuous post-Fulmer era. Still, the South Carolina loss keeps them behind Alabama for me.
7 Penn State Nittany Lions "Can the 12 team playoff start now" is probably a line being used a lot in Happy Valley lately. Still, a fantastic season to end in a Rose Bowl.
8 Tulane Green Wave 11-2 Cotton Bowl Champion Tulane. Feels surreal to type that.
9 Washington Huskies Excellent season, and imo the true best team in the PAC.
10 Utah Utes Still competitive in the Rose Bowl, though two straight losses in the Grandaddy of them all has to sting.
11 Clemson Tigers A whimper end to the season, but at least they built the program in God's Name, Image, and Likeness.
12 Oregon State Beavers Underrated excellent season, and I was vindicated on my rankings of them throughout the season. Of course the monkey's paw curled with vindication coming in a 30-3 shellacking of my shorthanded Gators. C'est la vie.
13 Florida State Seminoles A resurgent season for the school out west. Still, I have to keep them behind Clemson due to a conference title and head to head, and I gave the nod to Oregon State due to a more impressive victory vs. Common Opponent. Still, I see FSU as a trendy ACC pick for next year and they definitely deserve it.
14 Kansas State Wildcats What was a solid season ended in a whimper against Alabama. Still, not the first good team to get beaten bad by Saban and they won't be the last.
15 USC Trojans Alex Grinch may have stolen Trojan fans' Christmas, Hannukah, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, etc... Thanks for the James Droz content though.
16 Oregon Ducks Still an excellent season for Lanning, but not too impressed to rank them higher due to facing UNC.
17 LSU Tigers This team is as perplexing after the season as during it. Still, a solid start to the Kelly era and a shellacking of Purdue should be given credit.
18 Troy Trojans 12-2, first ever ranked finish for Troy. What a season it turned into after the heartbreak against App State.
19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Ended a roller coaster of a year with a good bowl win. Now on to see how they do with Hartman.
20 UTSA Roadrunners Didn't want to punish them too much for losing by 6 to Troy with refball not helping either. Still, the wait for a bowl win remains eternal.
21 South Carolina Gamecocks Didn't penalize them too much for losing to ND. This is still a great stepping stone year for Beamer.
22 Mississippi State Bulldogs Rest in Peace, Coach Leach. Swing your Sword.
23 Fresno State Bulldogs 9-4 after a disastrous start deserves some love.
24 Texas Longhorns 8-5 is better than 5-7 at least. Still, next year is the money year for Sark or that Alamo Bowl worker will be the least of his owrries.
25 Pittsburgh Panthers Well that crazy ending got Pitt back in here. Hello.

Back to poll results >>