Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 9, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Overall Rationale: This week I continue to use this submission to highlight some programs that have had strong early season performances that I consider worthy of down-ballot recognition. I remain less sold on some teams and conferences than others are, and that is also reflected in my ballot submission. I will privilege undefeated teams over those with a loss, save those of teams who I feel were cheated out of their win in some way.

• Ballot
• Analysis

Rank	Team	Reason
1	Ohio State Buckeyes
2	Texas Longhorns
3	Georgia Bulldogs
4	Utah Utes
5	Oregon Ducks
6	Penn State Nittany Lions
7	USC Trojans
8	Ole Miss Rebels
9	Arizona Wildcats
10	Missouri Tigers
11	Alabama Crimson Tide
12	Northern Illinois Huskies
13	UNLV Rebels
14	Boise State Broncos
15	Memphis Tigers
16	Tennessee Volunteers
17	Washington Huskies
18	Oklahoma State Cowboys
19	Kansas State Wildcats
20	Miami Hurricanes
21	Texas State Bobcats
22	North Texas Mean Green
23	San José State Spartans
24	Louisville Cardinals
25	Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Ohio State Buckeyes	0.23
2	Texas Longhorns	0.00
3	Georgia Bulldogs	0.00
4	Utah Utes	1.27
5	Oregon Ducks	0.67
6	Penn State Nittany Lions	0.19
7	USC Trojans	0.00
8	Ole Miss Rebels	0.00
9	Arizona Wildcats	2.04
10	Missouri Tigers	0.00
11	Alabama Crimson Tide	-0.58
12	Northern Illinois Huskies	1.60
13	UNLV Rebels	7.88
14	Boise State Broncos	9.23
15	Memphis Tigers	6.62
16	Tennessee Volunteers	-1.46
17	Washington Huskies	0.43
18	Oklahoma State Cowboys	0.00
19	Kansas State Wildcats	-0.35
20	Miami Hurricanes	-1.67
21	Texas State Bobcats	4.11
22	North Texas Mean Green	3.23
23	San José State Spartans	2.11
24	Louisville Cardinals	-0.57
25	Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks	0.18

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Oklahoma Sooners	1.52
Iowa State Cyclones	0.52
Michigan Wolverines	0.42
Nebraska Cornhuskers	0.43
LSU Tigers	0.51
Boston College Eagles	0.25
Clemson Tigers	0.28

Total Score: 48.36