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CriterionCrypt Ballot for 2023 Week 15 & Bowls

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Dec. 4, 2023, 9:56 p.m.

Overall Rationale: My overall philosophy puts the eye test over overall record, conference standings, and even head-to-head results at times. Generally speaking, each individual ranking is based on what I think the head to head outcome would be on a neutral field at the time of ranking. On a side note, I believe in G5 inclusion in the Top 25. While it can't always happen, I would like to see every conference have at least one team in the Top 25. I feel like it is important to state that I believe that Florida State should be in the playoff. I don't think they are better than Alabama, which is why I ranked them behind Alabama. However, the playoff isn't a power ranking. Florida State took care of business, so they deserve to be in.

Rank Team Reason
1 Washington Huskies Washington has demonstrated enough over the course of the season to finish with the top seed in my book. They had the second best win in championship week
2 Michigan Wolverines Michigan will not get rewarded with the #1 spot in my book. They might be the #1 team in the country, and I know the sign-stealing scandal probably didn't result in to too much of an on-the-field advantage. But they still cheated, and their HC got suspended for it. So they will be placed at #2 for me.
3 Texas Longhorns Texas has struggled at times, but they have looked like national title contenders the last couple of weeks. They boast the best win of any contender, but they also have the worst loss. So I guess it depends on which Texas shows up.
4 Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama had the best win in championship week and are looking like a top four team right now. If the job of the playoff committee is to put the four most deserving teams in the playoff, FSU would be in this slot. But in my poll, I am putting the four best teams in. And right now, that includes Alabama.
5 Georgia Bulldogs
6 Florida State Seminoles I know Florida State is deserving a top four finish. But at the end of the day, my poll is based on the eye test. Florida State does not look better than Alabama, Texas, or Georgia at this point. Florida State with their star QB is a top 3 team. Florida State with their backup is not. Hell, Florida State might not even be able to hang with any of the Top 15 teams right now. However, being the ACC champ has to count for something, so they land at #6.
7 Ohio State Buckeyes
8 Oregon Ducks
9 LSU Tigers LSU is the best 3 loss team, and I would put them beating every team below them right now on a neutral field. I know they lost to Ole Miss on the road, but I don't see that going the same way today on a neutral field. So they get my #9 spot.
10 Oklahoma Sooners Oklahoma saw a bit of a jump in my final ranking which is a bit weird considering they didn't play this weekend. But the reason for the jump is because of how well Texas and SMU played. There are a glut of 2 loss teams, but Oklahoma beat the Big XII champ and the AAC champ. No other 2 loss P5 team has a victory over any conference champion and Oklahoma has two. That has to count for something.
11 Ole Miss Rebels
12 Missouri Tigers
13 Arizona Wildcats Arizona is the hottest team in the country right now, and they are only a few possessions away from being a 1 loss team at this point. They are looking very strong.
14 Penn State Nittany Lions
15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
16 Oregon State Beavers
17 Louisville Cardinals
18 Iowa Hawkeyes
19 SMU Mustangs SMU saw a big jump for me. I guess that is what happens when you win your conference title game
20 Liberty Flames Liberty played the weakest schedule in the country. I know they went undefeated, but I don't think they beat SMU head to head.
21 NC State Wolfpack
22 Tulane Green Wave
23 Clemson Tigers Clemson is probably the most overlooked team in the country, I guess that is what happens when you lose four games. But I see Clemson finishing strong, and winning whatever bowl game they go to.
24 Oklahoma State Cowboys Oklahoma State is on the verge of falling out of my rankings. I probably would have dropped them out, but I don't think it is fair to punish teams for losing in a conference title game. If you make it in the game, that should count for something.
25 Miami (OH) RedHawks

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