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quantum_jedi Ballot for 2024 Final

Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Jan. 23, 2025, 8:18 a.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 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. Reward conference championship game winners, but reduced punishment for losers. Next five out: Michigan, Kansas State, Duke, Louisville, Colorado.

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes (+5) What a run the Buckeyes had! They finally rose to their potential and earned themselves another National Championship. Congratulations to the Ohio State!
2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+0) Lost to a fully functional Ohio State in the National Championship, but what a phenomenal season for the Irish. This team showed fight at every level and the future looks bright for Notre Dame.
3 Oregon Ducks (-2) Certainly not the way Oregon would have liked to finish the season, but the Ducks should be proud of a terrific season. Look for Oregon to return to the playoffs next year; Lanning is building an empire out West.
4 Texas Longhorns (-1) Texas is once again full just short of reaching a National Championship game, but that should not diminish a great season for the Longhorns. Sark has built a well-rounded program and I expect that the Longhorns might be even better next year if Arch Manning lives up to the hype.
5 Penn State Nittany Lions (-1) Penn State fell just short against Notre Dame in the semifinal, but had a terrific season nonetheless. If the Nittany Lions can find some help at WR next year, then this team is going to be electric with a majority of their impact players returning.
6 Georgia Bulldogs (-1) Tough to lose Beck during the playoffs and the Bulldogs fail to reach the semifinals for the second consecutive year. Insane to think that this season cold be a disappointment with an SEC Championship and playoff berth, but those are the expectations that Kirby Smart has set for this program. Look for Georgia to once again be a dominant force next year.
7 Indiana Hoosiers (+0) Arguably the greatest season in Indiana football history. While things didn't go the way the Hoosiers would have hoped against Notre Dame, they showed that they deserved to play for a Championship. Very interested to see how the Hoosiers perform next season.
8 Arizona State Sun Devils (+0) Oh my goodness, the Sun Devils were so close to beating Texas. Dillingham has reinvigorated a lackluster program and looks to be building a powerhouse in Tempe.
9 Iowa State Cyclones (+6) While the Cyclones fell just short of making the playoffs they move into the offseason on a high note after beating Miami in one of the more entertaining games of the year.
10 SMU Mustangs (-1) A rough start for the Mustangs cost them against Penn State, but SMU proved that they are ready to compete in this new era of college football.
11 Miami Hurricanes (+0) Not quite the season that Hurricanes were hoping for, but still wildly successful. Cristobal is still a terrific coach, but can't seem to get out of his own way. Next year will be one to watch for Miami.
12 BYU Cougars (+5) While BYU fell just short in the regular season, they crushed Colorado in their bowl game. I expect the Big12 to once again be the most closely contested conference next year.
13 Clemson Tigers (-1) What a wild season for the Tigers. Have added some impressive coaching hires and expect Clemson to be in the playoff hunt again next year.
14 Boise State Broncos (-4) The Broncos just couldn't handle the pressure that Penn State was able to bring. Regardless, Boise State had a great season. I'm curious to see how next year goes with the loss of one of the best players in the entire sport.
15 Ole Miss Rebels (+1) Demolished a depleted Duke team in their bowl game. A bit of a disappointing season for Ole Miss, who had championship aspirations, but there is much to be hopefully for in Oxford.
16 Alabama Crimson Tide (-3) Wow, that was a bad loss against Michigan... No idea what to make of this 'Bama team heading into next year.
17 Tennessee Volunteers (-3) Got absolutely demolished by Ohio State, but so did Oregon, so that loss does not seem nearly as bad as initially thought. Serious questions to answer about the offense, but with another year I expect Nico to develop even more.
18 Army West Point (+1) Lots of highs and lows for Army this year, but one of their best seasons in recent history. Bryson Daily will be hard to replace next year.
19 Syracuse Orange (+4) Fran Brown has built a very exciting program in his first year with the Orange. Syracuse will have to replace Kyle McCord, but this should be a fun team to follow next year.
20 Illinois Fighting Illini (+1) Illinois flew under the radar this year in the B1G, but quietly had a terrific season and capped it with a win over South Carolina in their bowl game. We'll see if the Illini can take the next step to compete with the upper tier of the B1G.
21 South Carolina Gamecocks (-3) A wild season for the Gamecocks, but finished very strong (despite the bowl game loss to Illinois). Sellers looks to be one of the most promising young QBs heading into next year and South Carolina fans should be optimistic.
22 Missouri Tigers (+2) Always nice to end the season with a win and the Tigers did just that against Iowa. Not sure what to make of this Missouri team for next year, but they will likely find themselves once again in the "good, but not great" tier of the SEC.
23 Memphis Tigers (+3) The Tigers end the year with a win over a decent West Virginia squad and are poised for another solid season in the American next year.
24 LSU Tigers (+3) Took down a surging Baylor team in their bowl game to end the season with a win. A somewhat disappointing year for the Bayou Bengals, but LSU should once again have a strong offensive line next year.
25 UNLV Rebels (+0) UNLV ends the year with a win over Cal to cap off a great season. A lot of turnover heading into next year, but Dan Mullen and Alex Orji will make this team must watch.

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