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MisguidedPassion Ballot for 2026 Preseason

Ballot Type: Hybrid

Submitted: Aug. 24, 2026, 6:20 p.m.

Overall Rationale: Tiered power ratings with final human sorting within tiers. Human override for complete disagreements (see Oklahoma)

Rank Team Reason
1 Ohio State Buckeyes Returning too much firepower for me to believe in anyone else. I believe some of the defensive losses are overstated and they'll easily reload.
2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Good talent, great coaching, and even better schedule.
3 Texas Longhorns Make or break season for Sark. If he's going to win, this is the roster to do it.
4 Oregon Ducks Can easily be convinced they're the best team in the country, but until they actually win those games I'm not in.
5 Georgia Bulldogs I have some doubts with certain key playmakers, but I think the overall machine keeps churning. Add in some favorable scheduling this year and I like where they sit.
6 Miami Hurricanes Toss up with the Hoosiers. Believe Miami did more to improve/replace last year's departures than Indiana.
7 Indiana Hoosiers See Miami
8 LSU Tigers Exceptional talent on this roster, but I have questions at a couple of key positions. Throw in a couple of "Lane" games to prevent them from real contention.
9 USC Trojans Strong roster. Expect a fast start and then some noise with their schedule late.
10 Ole Miss Rebels Personally down on the Rebels, but trusting the numbers over human bias.
11 Alabama Crimson Tide
12 Texas Tech Red Raiders
13 Texas A&M Aggies
14 Michigan Wolverines
15 Tennessee Volunteers
16 Penn State Nittany Lions
17 BYU Cougars
18 Washington Huskies
19 SMU Mustangs
20 Florida Gators Big believer in Sumrall. Similar to Cignetti - winners win. Middle of the schedule is dicey but I like the upside.
21 Arizona Wildcats Put simply, I like this team for a number of reasons. At BYU will show a lot about those two teams.
22 Clemson Tigers
23 Oklahoma Sooners
24 Louisville Cardinals
25 Kansas State Wildcats This may be very much a record is better than the team situation, but the Wildcats avoid Texas Tech, BYU and Utah. They have Houston at home, and I think Collin Klein has shown the ability to move the ball and score points with an atypical quarterback. Avery Johnson isn't Marcel Reed, but this also isn't a top 10 ranking.

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