Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The college football season kicks off in 12 days when Nebraska travels to Illinois to open up a five-game Week 0 schedule. It's great to have the sport back filling up our weekends under mostly normal circumstances — 12-game schedules and fans back in the stands across the country.
With the return of football comes the ranking of the top programs in the sport, with the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll serving as the sort of official rankings for the season until the College Football Playoff selection committee unveils their rankings near the end of the season.
This is my third season working with the AP to help rank the Top 25 teams in the country, and I look forward to the responsibility associated with being one of approximately 62 voters in the country. I don't get paid to do this, but I watch a lot of football and do my best to stay apprised of all that's going on in the sport each weekend.
I will continue to offer my perspective along the way as to why I voted a certain way each week; and, no, I don't hate your team — even if you think I do. The AP has asked us to base our votes on "performance, not reputation," and that a "local team does not deserve any special handling when it comes to your ballot."
Additionally, there are no rules about jumping or dropping a team several spots based on the weekend's results. While I often try not to judge one game too harshly, it happens. I like to look at the week-to-week results and other statistical measures to come to a consensus for my picks — as well as a little forecasting based on how a team's schedule lays out.
As you can see from my ballot track record, I try to judge teams equally. I cover the University of Utah for KSL.com, but they will be judged like any of the other 130 teams eligible for the AP poll.
With all that being said, my ballot doesn't have too many surprises near the top. Coming off an incredible season, Alabama remains the favorite at the top of my ballot. The Crimson Tide lost a lot of talent from last year, but under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has shown the ability to rebuild without much, if any, drop-off each season. And until proven otherwise, they're still the reigning champs and are deserving of the top ranking.
Rounding out my top 5 is Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia. The Sooners get the No. 2 spot with quarterback Spencer Rattler leading the charge as the team with the most experienced signal-caller of the bunch. It could be argued Georgia has that experience, too, with JT Daniels. It will be intriguing to see how Georgia handle their season opener against Clemson.
Locally, I have Utah ranked No. 19. They bring back a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and will be a contender for another South Division title in the Pac-12. In my ballot submitted for the Pac-12, I had Utah winning the division over USC and Arizona State. As such, you'll see Utah above USC in the rankings, and Oregon and Washington above both South Division teams.
The Utes checked in unofficially at No. 26 in the USA Today Coaches Poll a week prior, with BYU five spots back and also "receiving votes."
In consideration: Coastal Carolina, Northwestern, TCU
If you can't see the ballot below, click here.
