Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Sept. 23, 2024, 8:56 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	Utah Utes
5	Georgia Bulldogs
6	Penn State Nittany Lions
7	Tennessee Volunteers
8	James Madison Dukes
9	Ole Miss Rebels
10	Missouri Tigers
11	Boise State Broncos
12	Alabama Crimson Tide
13	Miami Hurricanes
14	Washington State Cougars
15	Illinois Fighting Illini
16	Louisville Cardinals
17	UCF Knights
18	Iowa State Cyclones
19	Pittsburgh Panthers
20	Navy Midshipmen
21	Michigan Wolverines
22	USC Trojans
23	BYU Cougars
24	Army West Point
25	San José State Spartans

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Ohio State Buckeyes	0.10
2	Texas Longhorns	0.00
3	Oregon Ducks	1.08
4	Utah Utes	1.02
5	Georgia Bulldogs	0.00
6	Penn State Nittany Lions	0.49
7	Tennessee Volunteers	-0.18
8	James Madison Dukes	5.82
9	Ole Miss Rebels	0.00
10	Missouri Tigers	0.00
11	Boise State Broncos	9.38
12	Alabama Crimson Tide	-1.97
13	Miami Hurricanes	-0.68
14	Washington State Cougars	0.24
15	Illinois Fighting Illini	0.00
16	Louisville Cardinals	0.00
17	UCF Knights	0.95
18	Iowa State Cyclones	0.00
19	Pittsburgh Panthers	0.45
20	Navy Midshipmen	3.30
21	Michigan Wolverines	-0.53
22	USC Trojans	-0.22
23	BYU Cougars	-0.13
24	Army West Point	1.06
25	San José State Spartans	0.23

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Clemson Tigers	0.78
LSU Tigers	0.77
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.51
Oklahoma State Cowboys	0.49
Indiana Hoosiers	0.20
Oklahoma Sooners	0.48

Total Score: 31.05