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quantum_jedi Ballot for 2025 Week 8

Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Oct. 13, 2025, 3:05 p.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, and by the preceding two years' performance. Results are scaled by offensive and defensive points per drive efficiencies, and strength of schedule determined by opponents score normalized throughout the season. Preseason rankings are weighted by returning production, talent composite, and previous season(s)' success. Next five out: Memphis, Nebraska, Utah, Virginia, TCU.

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes (+0) The Buckeyes finally allowed a red zone touchdown, but this game was never in doubt. Ohio State gets the lifeless husk of the Badgers next.
2 Texas A&M Aggies (+0) A&M did what they've done all year, just slowly pull away from their opponents with a great defense and a good offense. Expect more of the same as the Aggies hit the road to Fayetteville.
3 Ole Miss Rebels (+0) Squeaked by a feisty Wazzu team at home. Not the best, but a win is a win and the Rebels are 6-0. Ole Miss travels to Georgia next week for an massive game.
4 Alabama Crimson Tide (+2) Third consecutive win over a ranked team for the Tide, with a fourth ranked opponent in Tennessee looming. The Kalen DeBoer experience continues with Alabama's only loss to unranked Florida State and wins over the #7, #19, and #23 teams in these rankings.
5 Indiana Hoosiers (+8) Was this the biggest win in Indiana football history?? The Hoosiers go on the road to Eugene and control every aspect of the game against Oregon. Cignetti is absolutely maximizing this roster; the defense is nasty and Mendoza looks amazing.
6 Miami Hurricanes (-2) On BYE this week. The Hurricanes drop due to impressive wins for Alabama and Indiana.
7 Georgia Bulldogs (+1) Unfortunately, this model does not account for spiritual losses... Georgia is very lucky to escape Jordan-Hare with a win. Huge game next week with Ole Miss coming to Athens.
8 LSU Tigers (+1) A bit closer than you would like to see for LSU against the Gamecocks. LSU seems like they are getting away with it and need to lock in next week when they travel to play a very good Vanderbilt team.
9 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-2) A bit closer than you'd like, but still a comfortable win for the Yellow Jackets as they move to 6-0. Tricky road game next week at Duke.
10 USC Trojans (+5) Great win for USC against Michigan! The Coliseum was rocking and the Trojans handled Michigan. An awesome match-up looms with USC traveling to Notre Dame.
11 Texas Tech Red Raiders (+0) Man, Texas Tech looks good. Their D-line manhandled the Kansas O-line and the Red Raiders cruised to 6-0. On the road next at Arizona State, who needs to get Sam Leavitt back for this to be competitive.
12 BYU Cougars (+2) Good win for BYU in a weird weather delayed game in the desert against a solid Arizona. The Holy War is next and should be an absolute banger.
13 Oregon Ducks (-8) Man, Oregon just had no answers for Indiana. The Ducks were held to their lowest point total at home in several years and their "big" win against Penn State keeps looking worse. I believe that this is still one of the few teams that can actually win a National Championship, but Oregon needs pass catchers to step up big.
14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3) The Irish continue to completely smother inferior opponents. Massive game with USC coming to South Bend next.
15 USF Bulls (+11) USF absolutely obliterated North Texas on the road (a team this model really likes) and rockets up the rankings. The Bulls have scored more the 50 points in three consecutive games and expect that to continue with FAU coming to Tampa.
16 Tennessee Volunteers (+5) Oh boy that was a mess for Tennessee, but a win over an SEC opponent is always good. Even if it is a coachless Arkansas... The Volunteers travel to Tuscaloosa for a huge game against Alabama.
17 Arizona State Sun Devils (-7) A little unfair to knock ASU so much for losing without their starting QB, but they did not look competitive against Utah. The Sun Devils host Texas Tech next week and desperately need Sam Leavitt back.
18 Washington Huskies (+5) Another slow start for the Huskies, but once again scored on four consecutive possessions in the second half for the win. Washington travels to Michigan next week for a game that the Huskies will need to show competence in the first half in order to leave Ann Arbor with a win.
19 Vanderbilt Commodores (-3) On BYE this week. Vandy gets LSU coming to town next week.
20 Cincinnati Bearcats (+8) The Bearcats continue to impress and have now won 5 straight. A road game at Oklahoma State will likely make that 6 straight. Great turnaround this year for Cincinnati.
21 Texas Longhorns (+10) Huge win for the Longhorns over Oklahoma. Arch played efficient and didn't turn the ball over, and the Texas defense won the game by capitalizing on a number of mistakes from the Sooners. Two consecutive road games for Texas next against lesser SEC teams should bump the Longhorns back near the top 15.
22 Oklahoma Sooners (-10) Not what you wanted to see if you're a Sooners fan. Mateer was clearly not 100% and it showed. Oklahoma has one week to get the schooner righted next week against South Carolina before five consecutive ranked opponents to end the year. Brutal.
23 Missouri Tigers (-4) Tough loss for the Tigers who played great against Alabama. No rest for Mizzou though as they have to travel to the cursed grounds of Auburn. This team is probably better than #23, but their best win might be Kansas? Not great...
24 Illinois Fighting Illini (-4) No shame in getting steamrolled by Ohio State. BYE week is next before a tricky road game at Washington.
25 SMU Mustangs (+5) SMU sneaks back into these rankings on virtue of other teams staying idle this week. Two solid wins in a row over conference opponents have the Mustangs looking good. A pair of road games are next for SMU.

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