Back to poll results >>

quantum_jedi Ballot for 2024 Week 5

Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Sept. 23, 2024, 12:49 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Wins and losses are weighted by the difference in "rank" between the winner/loser and the median team. Scaled such that beating strong teams matters more than beating weak teams, and losing to bad teams is worse than losing to strong teams. Winning is weighted slightly more than losing. Results are now (week 4) scaled by offensive and defensive points per drive efficiencies, and strength of schedule determined by cumulative opponents score. Preseason rankings are weighted by returning production, talent composite, and previous season success.

Rank Team Reason
1 Texas Longhorns Sarkisian has assembled a team that appears to have very few weaknesses, even without their preseason starting RBs and QB this team is still looks better than ~130 other teams in FBS.
2 Alabama Crimson Tide Idle this week. Epic matchup with Georgia looms.
3 Ole Miss Rebels Have yet to be challenged, but also haven't played anyone with a pulse (#81 Wake Forest is their best win). Dominating the way a top team should.
4 Ohio State Buckeyes Came out a little slow after the bye week. First road trip of the year against a volatile Michigan State next.
5 Penn State Nittany Lions Poor Kent State. Good return to form for the Nittany Lions after struggling with Bowling Green before the bye.
6 Miami Hurricanes Pulled away early in the second half against USF.
7 Georgia Bulldogs Idle this week. Epic matchup with Alabama looms.
8 Missouri Tigers Oh man, Mizzou. Probably should have lost that game (Vandy with an 73% postgame win expectancy). Very easily could be 2-2, but winning close games, even against inferior opponents, can serve you well (see 2023 Washington).
9 Tennessee Volunteers Struggled to move the ball the same way we've become accustomed to, but locked down a reeling Oklahoma offense with an aggressive defense.
10 Michigan Wolverines Benefited from poor officiating all around, but the Michigan d-line handled the USC o-line all day. It's clear Michigan cannot throw the ball downfield. I think we'll see defenses stack the box to stop the run. The question is does it matter when your o-line and RBs are as good as Michigan's?
11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish The defense is legit, but the offense needs to be more consistent. The entire perception of Notre Dame is going to be influenced by, potentially, that single loss to NIU.
12 Oregon Ducks Idle. Don't expect much trouble for Oregon this week against UCLA, but that matchup against Ohio State looms in the not so distant future.
13 Indiana Hoosiers Indiana rolls over another opponent. This team plays hard and maximizes their strengths. Rourke looks confident and in command.
14 Duke Blue Devils The model loves Duke. Being 4-0 and having an away win against a P4 team (even though it is Northwestern) isn't something a lot of teams can boast right now.
15 Utah Utes The tale of two Utahs. With Rising the Utes can compete with almost anyone, but without Rising this team can't do much on offense and needs to drag their opponent into the mud.
16 Oklahoma Sooners Tough loss against a very talented Tennessee team. Thought the Sooners had figured out the QB position, but apparently not... Could spell trouble, but at least OU gets a tune up against Auburn before Red River.
17 Illinois Fighting Illini Pulled out an OT win against a tough Nebraska team. Huge game for the Illini against Penn State next.
18 Washington State Cougars This team is so much fun to watch. Expect fireworks next week against Boise State.
19 Iowa State Cyclones Crushed a lifeless Arkansas St team. The Cyclones should continue to roll through the next couple weeks.
20 Louisville Cardinals Survived their first real test of the year against a feisty Georgia Tech. Going to be an intriguing matchup against a phenomenal Notre Dame defense.
21 BYU Cougars I still don't know what happened. BYU scored 31 points in <7 minutes of game time, 28 of those on four offensive plays, beat a good Kansas State team by 29 points, and still had a 35% postgame win expectancy... Epic.
22 Pittsburgh Panthers Took care of business against their FCS opponent.
23 UCF Knights Idle. Could be a wild game against Colorado.
24 Clemson Tigers Smoked NC State. Clemson seems to have figured out how to offense.
25 USC Trojans Frustrating loss on the road against Michigan.

Back to poll results >>