Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 16, 2024, 1:05 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	Oregon Ducks
4	Georgia Bulldogs
5	Utah Utes
6	USC Trojans
7	Penn State Nittany Lions
8	Missouri Tigers
9	Ole Miss Rebels
10	Alabama Crimson Tide
11	Northern Illinois Huskies
12	UNLV Rebels
13	Boise State Broncos
14	Memphis Tigers
15	Washington State Cougars
16	Arizona State Sun Devils
17	Tennessee Volunteers
18	Oklahoma State Cowboys
19	Miami Hurricanes
20	San José State Spartans
21	Oklahoma Sooners
22	Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
23	Iowa State Cyclones
24	Toledo Rockets
25	James Madison Dukes

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Ohio State Buckeyes	0.22
2	Texas Longhorns	0.00
3	Oregon Ducks	1.01
4	Georgia Bulldogs	0.00
5	Utah Utes	1.42
6	USC Trojans	0.35
7	Penn State Nittany Lions	0.26
8	Missouri Tigers	0.00
9	Ole Miss Rebels	0.00
10	Alabama Crimson Tide	-1.50
11	Northern Illinois Huskies	1.61
12	UNLV Rebels	3.66
13	Boise State Broncos	10.81
14	Memphis Tigers	2.92
15	Washington State Cougars	0.56
16	Arizona State Sun Devils	3.01
17	Tennessee Volunteers	-1.64
18	Oklahoma State Cowboys	-0.24
19	Miami Hurricanes	-1.36
20	San José State Spartans	5.21
21	Oklahoma Sooners	-0.62
22	Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks	3.23
23	Iowa State Cyclones	0.00
24	Toledo Rockets	0.75
25	James Madison Dukes	0.19

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Kansas State Wildcats	3.48
Louisville Cardinals	0.94
Nebraska Cornhuskers	0.81
LSU Tigers	0.53
Michigan Wolverines	0.43
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.27
Clemson Tigers	0.32

Total Score: 47.30