CriterionCrypt Ballot for 2023 Final
Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Jan. 8, 2024, 10:32 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. It is important to note that I don't consider losses in bowl games as harshly as I do other losses. With so many opt-outs and the transfer portal, bowl games are closer to exhibition games to reward a good season rather than a strong indicator of overall ability over the course of a season.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
I am reluctantly putting Michigan at #1. I have a hard time saying that a team with a HC who got suspended for 6 games for various rule violations, one of those violations being in-game cheating, should be ranked #1. But they did finish out the year strong and won the CFP. |
| 2 |
Washington Huskies
|
|
| 3 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
|
| 4 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
|
| 5 |
Texas Longhorns
|
|
| 6 |
Florida State Seminoles
|
I was a "Justice for FSU" guy until I dove a little deeper into the numbers. FSU would have entered the playoff with the weakest schedule of all playoff teams since the playoff was conceived. Their schedule strength was closer to that of a G5 school rather than a P5 school. If you want the benefits of being a power 5 champion, then you need to play a Power 5 schedule. |
| 7 |
Oregon Ducks
|
|
| 8 |
Missouri Tigers
|
|
| 9 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
|
| 10 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
|
| 11 |
Arizona Wildcats
|
|
| 12 |
LSU Tigers
|
|
| 13 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
|
| 14 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
|
| 15 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
|
| 16 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
|
| 17 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
|
| 18 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
|
| 19 |
Clemson Tigers
|
|
| 20 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
|
| 21 |
NC State Wolfpack
|
|
| 22 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
|
| 23 |
Kansas Jayhawks
|
|
| 24 |
Oregon State Beavers
|
|
| 25 |
SMU Mustangs
|
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 2 |
Washington Huskies
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.45 |
| 4 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Texas Longhorns
|
-0.05 |
| 6 |
Florida State Seminoles
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Arizona Wildcats
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.02 |
| 14 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
0.15 |
| 16 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-0.10 |
| 17 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.00 |
| 19 |
Clemson Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
0.85 |
| 21 |
NC State Wolfpack
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
-0.34 |
| 23 |
Kansas Jayhawks
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
Oregon State Beavers
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.00 |
No major omissions.
Total Score: 1.97