Back to poll results >>

hurricaneatx Ballot for 2024 Week 5

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 22, 2024, 1:52 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Blend of power/resume-thinking, as well as a vague and undefinable mix of vibes and roster strength. I don't really care if a team moves drastically week-to-week, but I do believe there is some utility to poll inertia. I am a fan of the Texas Longhorns. [Teams in the ranking suburbs (next 5): Boise State, Iowa, Kansas State, Nebraska, Washington State] [Teams in the ranking exurbs (no particular order): UNLV, Arizona, UCF, Syracuse, Washington, SMU, NIU, Memphis, Cal, Arkansas, JMU, Navy, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Arizona State, South Carolina, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Aburn, Liberty, TCU]

Rank Team Reason
1 Texas Longhorns (4-0) - Texas's improvement at defense compared to last year is one of their main headlines. Texas played a very lackluster game against UL Monroe but managed to still managed to blow them out with Arch Manning under center. It was unclear to me whether Arch Manning's constant long throws downfield were from poor decision-making, lack of ability to layer and soften the ball in short/intermediate routes, or from the coaching staff treating this as a glorified scrimmage for evaluation, but it's obvious Quinn Ewers is the core of this team. Depth is also abundant and clear on both sides of the ball.
2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) -
3 Tennessee Volunteers (4-0) - I'm not sure if Tennessee beats Ohio State on a neutral field, but for the purposes of ranking, Tennessee's win over a decent Oklahoma squad gives them a substantial edge in strength of record over Ohio State and Alabama, enough to push them to #3.
4 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) -
5 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) -
6 Ole Miss Rebels (4-0) -
7 Miami Hurricanes (4-0) -
8 Oregon Ducks (3-0) -
9 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) -
10 Utah Utes (4-0) -
11 Missouri Tigers (4-0) -
12 Clemson Tigers (2-1) - I think that Clemson's loss to Georgia to open the season is a bit overvalued, but I also think Appalachian State and NC State are overvalued compared to where those teams were at last year.
13 Michigan Wolverines (3-1) -
14 Iowa State Cyclones (3-0) -
15 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-1) -
16 USC Trojans (2-1) -
17 Oklahoma Sooners (3-1) -
18 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) -
19 LSU Tigers (3-1) -
20 Louisville Cardinals (3-0) - Louisville is doing well, but I find it difficult to confidently place them in a spot. Next week @ Notre Dame will be a useful barometer.
21 BYU Cougars (4-0) -
22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1) -
23 Boston College Eagles (3-1) -
24 Pittsburgh Panthers (4-0) -
25 Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) -

Back to poll results >>