From the “Talks too much” studios, here we go.
From StuckinKent
In this Sept.17, 2011 file photo, Southern California Trojans’ head coach Lane Kiffin talks with players on the sideline during a football game against the Syracuse Orange at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.I’ve got a computer ranking system for ranking the college football teams. This is the first year I’ve tried to produce preseason rankings out of it. They are not perfect (Baylor and Houston are too highly regarded, Oregon probably too lowly regarded), but they are interesting. It uses last year’s rankings (which rely on scoring difference, winning percentage, strength of schedule, and quality of the teams beaten) as the baseline, and then starts adding and deducting points based on coaching factors and returning starters, with an emphasis on returning quarterback and offensive linemen (the two positions I consider the most important in college football).
So, this is my Top Ten based on that in order: Alabama, LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia, Notre Dame, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Clemson.
I was surprised that the rankings had Notre Dame so overrated. Of course, they play three of the six teams ranked ahead of them this season. That is one sick schedule. Next year my preseason rankings may need to take into account the current year’s schedule. We’ll wait and see what the results are like this year before going that route though.