Ballot Type: Human
Submitted: Aug. 19, 2025, 11:45 p.m.
Overall Rationale: Who do I think would win on a neutral field? Factors strength of record and injuries.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
Fewest amount of questions that needed to be answered. 30 seconds away from potentially making the championship last year and basically everyone returned. |
| 2 |
Texas Longhorns
|
Should be great but unsure how quickly they will gel with a newer qb. |
| 3 |
Clemson Tigers
|
Should build on last year's success. |
| 4 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Unproven qb but he has the best weapons available in the country. Elite skill players in Downs and Smith. |
| 5 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
Stacked roster. Similarly to OSU, unknown qb but possibly a better fit than Milroe. |
| 6 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
Uninspiring new QB but retaining an elite defense. I don't bet against Kirby Smart. |
| 7 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
Replacing many important pieces. Love is elite at rushing but can't carry the offense on his own. Slightly concerned how long it took to name a starting qb. |
| 8 |
Oregon Ducks
|
Replacing many big pieces. Should be good but unlikely to reach last year's peak of 12-0 and B1G champs. |
| 9 |
LSU Tigers
|
Nussmeier is great but Kelly can't seem to get out of his own way. If they lose by 10 or fewer in week 1 I won't drop them. More than that and they could fall. |
| 10 |
Arizona State Sun Devils
|
Losing Skattebo hurt but their QB was solid and Dillingham showed how great he is at rallying the locker room. |
| 11 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
|
| 12 |
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
Sellers looks amazing. I'm excited to see how he does this year. |
| 13 |
Illinois Fighting Illini
|
Bielema ended last year on a high note. Favorable schedule with the worst games at home. IlliBuck trophy win this year? |
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
This ranking hinges on Underwood. We will see if he is the real deal. Starting a freshman is scary but if he lives up to the hype it will definitely be worth it. |
| 15 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
Got great talent through the portal and I heard great things from fall camp. |
| 16 |
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
|
I love Haynes King. Gritty QB, should be able to carry this team far. Very winnable schedule as well. |
| 17 |
Florida Gators
|
Could be amazing or crash and burn |
| 18 |
SMU Mustangs
|
Lost some talent from last year and the schedule is tougher. Played their way into the playoff but unsure if they can do it again. |
| 19 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
Cignetti is good but this schedule is much harder than last year. |
| 20 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
Texas 8-4 could go to 9-3 this year. |
| 21 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
I don't like picking from the Big 12. I have no idea for any of these teams. |
| 22 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
Dart is gone. Looking forward to Kiffin saying stuff on twitter then raging after an unexpected loss on the road. |
| 23 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
Could build on last year's high points. Could be a make or break year for Venables. |
| 24 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
Iamaleava was not amazing but it's tough to enter a season after unexpectedly losing your guaranteed starter. |
| 25 |
Utah Utes
|
Whittingham could blow me away if the double New Mexico transfer of a QB and OC works out. |
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
0.46 |
| 2 |
Texas Longhorns
|
0.00 |
| 3 |
Clemson Tigers
|
0.08 |
| 4 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
-0.20 |
| 5 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.27 |
| 6 |
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0.00 |
| 7 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
0.00 |
| 8 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
LSU Tigers
|
0.00 |
| 10 |
Arizona State Sun Devils
|
0.00 |
| 11 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 12 |
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
0.00 |
| 13 |
Illinois Fighting Illini
|
0.00 |
| 14 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
0.00 |
| 15 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
1.32 |
| 16 |
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
|
2.73 |
| 17 |
Florida Gators
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.00 |
| 19 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
0.00 |
| 20 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
0.00 |
| 21 |
Kansas State Wildcats
|
0.00 |
| 22 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
-0.02 |
| 23 |
Oklahoma Sooners
|
0.00 |
| 24 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.00 |
| 25 |
Utah Utes
|
0.00 |