Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Sept. 27, 2026, 8:56 p.m.

Overall Rationale: idk what Clemson's doing here either

UMass still the top G6 at #32

Model summary:
This ranking runs on the optimal transport problem. Teams gather "mass" by playing games (more when they win), to which the Sinkhorn algorithm is applied to find the most optimal way to move each team's mass into each ranking slot. Only FBS vs FBS games considered. Factors of assigning mass are estimated quality of opponent (win record*strength of schedule^3) and point margin (up to 17). The model is blind to all other factors (talent, conference, etc.).

• Ballot
• Analysis

Rank	Team	Reason
1	Alabama Crimson Tide
2	Mississippi State Bulldogs
3	Florida Gators
4	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
5	Utah Utes
6	UCLA Bruins
7	Georgia Bulldogs
8	Oklahoma State Cowboys
9	Duke Blue Devils
10	Clemson Tigers
11	Ole Miss Rebels
12	Texas Longhorns
13	LSU Tigers
14	Oregon Ducks
15	Auburn Tigers
16	Miami Hurricanes
17	Virginia Tech Hokies
18	Nebraska Cornhuskers
19	Cincinnati Bearcats
20	Ohio State Buckeyes
21	Iowa Hawkeyes
22	Michigan Wolverines
23	BYU Cougars
24	Pittsburgh Panthers
25	Northwestern Wildcats

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	Alabama Crimson Tide	1.37
2	Mississippi State Bulldogs	1.74
3	Florida Gators	0.54
4	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.00
5	Utah Utes	1.11
6	UCLA Bruins	1.70
7	Georgia Bulldogs	-0.33
8	Oklahoma State Cowboys	2.84
9	Duke Blue Devils	1.76
10	Clemson Tigers	15.19
11	Ole Miss Rebels	0.00
12	Texas Longhorns	-3.93
13	LSU Tigers	0.00
14	Oregon Ducks	0.00
15	Auburn Tigers	6.79
16	Miami Hurricanes	-3.50
17	Virginia Tech Hokies	0.98
18	Nebraska Cornhuskers	0.32
19	Cincinnati Bearcats	0.75
20	Ohio State Buckeyes	-1.32
21	Iowa Hawkeyes	-1.48
22	Michigan Wolverines	2.20
23	BYU Cougars	-1.94
24	Pittsburgh Panthers	0.00
25	Northwestern Wildcats	0.00

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Indiana Hoosiers	3.80
Texas Tech Red Raiders	3.04
Tennessee Volunteers	0.85
USC Trojans	0.32
Houston Cougars	0.32

Total Score: 58.14