Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Oct. 25, 2026, 4:14 p.m.

Overall Rationale: 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, considering strength of schedule and head to head results. 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	UCLA Bruins
2	Alabama Crimson Tide
3	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
4	Utah Utes
5	Ohio State Buckeyes
6	Arizona Wildcats
7	Georgia Bulldogs
8	LSU Tigers
9	Miami Hurricanes
10	Ole Miss Rebels
11	Kentucky Wildcats
12	BYU Cougars
13	Oklahoma State Cowboys
14	Tennessee Volunteers
15	Missouri Tigers
16	Wake Forest Demon Deacons
17	Mississippi State Bulldogs
18	Indiana Hoosiers
19	Florida Gators
20	Northwestern Wildcats
21	Texas Longhorns
22	SMU Mustangs
23	Texas Tech Red Raiders
24	UTSA Roadrunners
25	Virginia Tech Hokies

Teams Ranked:

Rank	Team	Unusualness
1	UCLA Bruins	0.44
2	Alabama Crimson Tide	1.62
3	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	0.68
4	Utah Utes	0.00
5	Ohio State Buckeyes	-0.33
6	Arizona Wildcats	1.57
7	Georgia Bulldogs	0.00
8	LSU Tigers	0.73
9	Miami Hurricanes	-6.82
10	Ole Miss Rebels	0.73
11	Kentucky Wildcats	0.00
12	BYU Cougars	-0.55
13	Oklahoma State Cowboys	3.58
14	Tennessee Volunteers	0.14
15	Missouri Tigers	2.48
16	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	0.00
17	Mississippi State Bulldogs	8.17
18	Indiana Hoosiers	-4.54
19	Florida Gators	0.00
20	Northwestern Wildcats	0.00
21	Texas Longhorns	-0.81
22	SMU Mustangs	0.00
23	Texas Tech Red Raiders	-1.82
24	UTSA Roadrunners	0.00
25	Virginia Tech Hokies	0.00

Omissions:

Team	Unusualness
Houston Cougars	1.29
Boise State Broncos	0.56
Wisconsin Badgers	0.21

Total Score: 37.08