Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Oct. 1, 2024, 8:29 a.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	Penn State Nittany Lions
5	Tennessee Volunteers
6	Alabama Crimson Tide
7	Missouri Tigers
8	James Madison Dukes
9	UNLV Rebels
10	BYU Cougars
11	Georgia Bulldogs
12	Boise State Broncos
13	Rutgers Scarlet Knights
14	Navy Midshipmen
15	Army West Point
16	Miami Hurricanes
17	Michigan Wolverines
18	USC Trojans
19	Pittsburgh Panthers
20	Indiana Hoosiers
21	Iowa State Cyclones
22	Duke Blue Devils
23	Arizona Wildcats
24	Washington State Cougars
25	San José State Spartans

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Ohio State Buckeyes	0.26
2	Texas Longhorns	0.00
3	Oregon Ducks	0.69
4	Penn State Nittany Lions	0.54
5	Tennessee Volunteers	0.00
6	Alabama Crimson Tide	-2.75
7	Missouri Tigers	0.00
8	James Madison Dukes	4.58
9	UNLV Rebels	2.19
10	BYU Cougars	0.00
11	Georgia Bulldogs	0.00
12	Boise State Broncos	1.84
13	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	1.68
14	Navy Midshipmen	4.50
15	Army West Point	6.15
16	Miami Hurricanes	-1.42
17	Michigan Wolverines	-0.01
18	USC Trojans	0.00
19	Pittsburgh Panthers	0.61
20	Indiana Hoosiers	0.00
21	Iowa State Cyclones	-1.10
22	Duke Blue Devils	0.00
23	Arizona Wildcats	0.21
24	Washington State Cougars	0.34
25	San José State Spartans	0.22

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Clemson Tigers	1.20
Ole Miss Rebels	1.12
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	1.18
LSU Tigers	0.98
Kansas State Wildcats	0.80
Oklahoma Sooners	0.62
Utah Utes	0.50
Louisville Cardinals	0.16

Total Score: 35.67