Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Jan. 23, 2025, 2:44 a.m.

Overall Rationale: LINK TO FULL EXPLANATIONS AND PREVIOUS RANKINGS: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12hrSkt8O3xI3DLURD-kJ7eDSzzipjA97_UZ_NzAjpYk/edit?usp=sharing (eventually I'll catch back up... maybe) | This is a highly resume-based and record-based poll. I give some extra love to the G5 programs relative to more official polling (or so I say, I guess), but otherwise I do my best to maintain a strict adherence to what a team has done regardless of talent or pre-season perceptions Statistics like Strength of Schedule (SOS), Strength of Record (SOR), and Game Control (GC) will be considered for these rankings - deviations from these will be explained if necessary. All stats included are courtesy of ESPN - https://www.espn.com/college-football/fpi/_/view/resume - unless stated otherwise. (Yes, I am aware that these stats are flawed. They're still the easiest way to convey a team's strength, even if FPI in particular looks like a pile of crap). | Each team (if time permits [which it hasn't here, but will... eventually... in that google doc]) has been listed with their SOS, SOR, and ranked wins and losses. All losses are included. Victories against teams in the "Dropping Out" or "Honorable Mentions" sections are included. In the absence of a favorable result against anyone in the top 35, a team's best win (either by personal judgment or statistical analysis) will be put forth instead. Generally, a team's best wins will be considered more than their losses, unless the loss is truly dramatic (like say, being a top 5 team and not even able to beat an unranked opponent with the most talented WR room in the country, as a totally unrelated example. Or having a Heisman candidate QB only to blow your chance at conference glory by relying on your shoddy defense.) |-| Honorable Mentions: Louisville [9-4, 5-3 in conference play], Michigan [8-5, 5-4], Florida [8-5, 4-4], Navy [10-3, 6-2], TCU [9-4, 6-3], LSU [9-4, 5-3], Ohio [11-3, 7-1], Marshall [10-3, 7-1], UConn [9-4, Big East merchants], Baylor [8-5, 6-3], Sam Houston [10-3, 6-2], North Dakota State [14-2, 7-1, FCS Champs] Louisiana Lafayette [10-4, 7-1] | Dropping Out: #24 Colorado [9-4, 6-3 in conference play], #25 Duke [9-4, 5-3]

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