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hurricaneatx Ballot for 2024 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 13, 2024, 1:28 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Normally, this ballot is an arbitrary blend of power/resume approaches to rankings, but since it's the preseason it's more of a (???) poll based on a vague and undefinable mix of vibes, returning production, head coaching tenure, recruiting strength, and anticipated roster strength. I don't really care if a team moves drastically week-to-week. I am a fan of the Texas Longhorns. Teams on the outside bubble include the likes of Miami, Texas A&M, USC, Florida, Louisville, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Memphis, in no particular order. I also have a shortlist that includes TCU, West Virginia, Washington, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Oregon State, Liberty, Tulane, Nebraska, Texas Tech, and South Carolina.

Rank Team Reason
1 Georgia Bulldogs (Last year: 13-1, #5) - The preseason favorites, and for good reason. They're a really good team.
2 Ohio State Buckeyes (Last year: 11-2, #10)
3 Oregon Ducks (Last year: 12-2, #8)
4 Texas Longhorns (Last year: 12-2, #4)
5 Alabama Crimson Tide (Last year: 12-2, #3)
6 Ole Miss Rebels (Last year: 11-2, #9) - Talk about talent acquisition via the transfer portal.
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Last year: 10-3, #14)
8 Michigan Wolverines (Last year: 15-0, #1) - Michigan loses a majority of its production from last year, but retains a strong, highly-rated roster.
9 Penn State Nittany Lions (Last year: 10-3, #12) - The expanded playoff could prove fortuitous for a team that has constantly been on the playoff fringes, beating the teams it should and losing against the top crop. While Penn State is favored, West Virginia in week 1 is a decent barometer for whether Penn State is humming steadily as it often is.
10 Missouri Tigers (Last year: 11-2, #7)
11 LSU Tigers (Last year: 10-3, #11)
12 Florida State Seminoles (Last year: 13-1, #6)
13 Utah Utes (Last year: 8-5, #33)
14 Oklahoma Sooners (Last year: 10-3, #15)
15 Oklahoma State Cowboys (Last year: 10-4, #16) - Oklahoma State is tied for second in FBS in returning production. Starting quarterback Alan Bowman was also playing collegiate ball when Mike Gundy was a man and 40. Okay, not really, but it is kind of crazy Bowman has been a starting QB (beginning at Texas Tech) for over a third of Gundy's head coaching tenure.
16 Tennessee Volunteers (Last year: 9-4, #18)
17 Kansas State Wildcats (Last year: 9-4, #17)
18 Clemson Tigers (Last year: 9-4, #20)
19 Kansas Jayhawks (Last year: 9-4, #24)
20 Arizona Wildcats (Last year: 10-3, #13) - Come hop on the Fifita train if you haven't already.
21 NC State Wolfpack (Last year: 9-4, #21)
22 Iowa State Cyclones (Last year: 7-6, #38) - Iowa State leads the FBS in returning production. Teams retaining many of their productive veterans, particularly those at the top of the returning production leaderboards, tend to punch above their weight. This is especially so if the team is already a decent squad, as Iowa State is.
23 Boise State Broncos (Last year: 8-6, #44)
24 SMU Mustangs (Last year: 11-3, #25) - Arguably the strongest team outside of the major conferences last year, SMU now has an opportunity to work against a slate of decent teams in the ACC. It'll be fun to see how they perform.
25 Virginia Tech Hokies (Last year: 7-6, UNR) - I guess the Hokies are the obligatory "pick a random team to hype" on my ballot this preseason. A coach and QB in their third years, with 84% returning production? Sounds like something could happen.

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