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Bank_Gothic Ballot for 2024 Week 5

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 23, 2024, 10:48 a.m.

Overall Rationale: I use a two-step process for putting together my top 25. First, I find 25 teams that "qualify" for the top 25 based on their record. This has nothing to do with eye test or power rating, but rather wins and losses and strength of schedule. Generally, any undefeated team with a win over a P5 or quality G5 opponent will make the list. Second, once I have 25 qualifying teams, I rank them within the top 25 based on their ranking in the Massey Composite (https://masseyratings.com/ranks). Massey is a phenomenal resource that more people should be using. Qualifying for the list (teams that "deserve it"): This is the first week I ran out of undefeated, qualifying teams (save Liberty, who I refuse to rank on principle) so I added the best one-loss team to my top 25 in Michigan. Go Blue, nice win over USC. I've also added Ohio State, who I've left of my previous top 25 lists because they ain't played nobody. There are a smattering of other undefeated teams not on the list who have been left off because (1) I didn't have them power rated at all, and (2) they haven't played anyone. Ranking on the list: As noted above, I went with the Massey Composite for rankings, but made some tweaks based on the number of games played, giving preference to teams with 4 wins rather than 3 wins, and strength of opponents. For example, UGA "only" has three wins, but two of their wins are Clemson and UK, which moved them up in the ranking above other 4-win teams. In contrast, I dropped Ohio State below where they sit on Massey because they only have 3 wins and have played a weak schedule so far. I also dropped a few teams that have not looked good, despite winning all their games. Simply put, I use the Massey Composite as a starting point then adjust based on eye test.

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