Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 14, 2025, 12:22 p.m.
Overall Rationale: Loosely based off AP poll, as well as adjusting expectations for teams that I think are unrealistic. Example: Alabama is being given too much benifit of the doubt. They were suspect in way too many games last year. And got beat by a Michigan team that should be even better this year. Michigan should be ahead of them. But I keep them in the top 10 just based on roster talent alone. I think LSU needs to prove they can put it all together before I trust them. Everyone just assumes they're going to be much better than their unranked season last year. I get South Carolina came close to upsetting some big teams last year, but at the end of the day they kept losing close games, and I don't have as much trust in them as others do. I think way too many people are betting on Illinois to take a big step forward this year too. Oklahoma is another team I think people are propping up just because they got a QB. But that team looked straight up bad last year. I think Nebraska has a chance to surprise this year. Can they do it? maybe, maybe not. USC is one that I put in at the end as a hedged bet. I think they'll have some good talent. I think Lincoln Riley is learning and improving his team. They could be pretty good, but they could also be more the same.
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.46 |
| 2 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
0.00 |
| 4 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 5 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 6 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Clemson Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.98 |
| 9 |
Arizona State Sun Devils
|
0.09 |
| 10 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
0.45 |
| 13 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.11 |
| 14 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
0.05 |
| 16 |
Iowa State Cyclones
|
0.03 |
| 17 |
Illinois Fighting Illini
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 19 |
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
-0.05 |
| 20 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 21 |
Nebraska Cornhuskers
|
3.85 |
| 22 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
0.00 |
| 23 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
USC Trojans
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
Boise State Broncos
|
0.00 |