Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The only thing consistent about the 2024 season is that it's been completely inconsistent.
But if you're not having fun watching college football this season, you're missing out on an enjoyable year of chaos and excitement. Every week is unpredictable and entertaining — unless your team is losing, I guess.
The following is the ballot I submitted to the Associated Press that will be counted in the consensus rankings that will be released Sunday afternoon.
1. Oregon
The Ducks continue to look solid in the Big Ten; and more importantly, Oregon didn't have a hangover after beating Ohio State in a Friday night game at Purdue. Is Oregon really the No. 1 team in the country? Who honestly knows at this point, but they're undefeated and playing great ball.
The Ducks have as good of a shot as anybody at No. 1 right now.
2. Georgia
The SEC still runs through Georgia. There may have been a few people casting Georgia aside after a loss to Alabama — and probably for good reason — but Kirby Smart gave Texas a little humble pie on their home turf. The Bulldogs looked like the better team Saturday night.
3. Ohio State
After a loss to Oregon last week, Ohio State got a bye week to regroup. The Buckeyes still remain one of the best teams in the country, so don't sleep on them quite yet. They're seconds away from an undefeated season.
4. Texas
For a brief moment, it appeared Texas had a QB controversy brewing — and maybe it still might, even as Steve Sarkisian said Quinn Ewers remains the guy — on Saturday night against Georgia. The Longhorns have been great so far this season, but the team looked outmatched against Georgia on Saturday.
The Longhorns are still capable of winning a national championship, but there's a few things to fix before it's a reality.
5. Penn State
Penn State got the benefit of the bye week, standing idly by as teams around them beat each other up. The Big Ten title race will be hotly contested, so any chance to refocus is beneficial. I dropped the Nittany Lions one spot to make way for Georgia — sorry, not sorry.
6. Miami
Somehow, some way, Miami continues to find a way to win games — even when the odds may look against them. But Mario Cristobal's team gets the job done on a weekly basis, providing some of the most entertaining finishes of the season. Will it all come crashing down at one point? Maybe, but the Hurricanes continue to win.
7. Tennessee
In what felt like an elimination game Saturday afternoon, Tennessee got the best of Alabama in the end. It made for a thrilling game, especially an entertaining back-and-forth fourth quarter. The Vols don't look like the world beaters at the beginning of the season, but the competition is tougher, and they're still finding a way to get important wins.
8. LSU
Outside of a Week 1 loss to USC in a game that honestly could have gone either way, LSU has quietly put together a solid season. And though their latest opponent, Arkansas, has three losses on the season, the Razorbacks have been a tough out. And yet, LSU made fine work in a hostile environment and got the comfortable win.
9. BYU
BYU was well on its way to losing its first game of the season after Oklahoma State milked eight minutes off the clock and scored the go-ahead touchdown with a minute to go. But Jake Retzlaff and the Cougars remained composed and did what felt like an improbably task to secure a last-second win. Some might call it luck, but the Cougars are proving they're one of the best team's in the country right now.
10. Iowa State
It's been a special season for Iowa State; and yet, it almost came crashing down this weekend with what could have been a home loss to UCF. But quarterback Rocco Becht called his own number and got the late score to beat UCF Saturday night. It's a potential toss-up between BYU and Iowa State, but the Cougars have likely had the better resume up until this point.
Remember kids: Hold onto the ball until you cross the goal line.
Dropping out: Iowa, Vanderbilt
Checking in: Army, Navy
In consideration (alphabetical): Colorado, Duke, Liberty, Memphis, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Washington State
If you can't see my full ballot below, click here.
