The Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll is one of the most widely followed rankings of college football teams in the United States. Every year, the AP releases a preseason ballot to rank the top 25 teams in the country. While the preseason ballot is an educated guess of how teams will perform during the season, it is not an exact science.
The preseason ballot is based on a variety of factors, including the team’s performance in the previous season, the strength of its schedule, and the quality of its coaching staff. It is also based on the opinions of AP voters, who are sportswriters and broadcasters from around the country. The AP does not release the individual ballots of its voters, so it is impossible to know exactly how each voter ranks each team.
The preseason ballot is a difficult task for AP voters. It requires them to make educated guesses about teams that have yet to play a single game. They must consider a variety of factors, including the quality of the team’s returning players, the strength of its schedule, and the potential impact of new coaches or players. It is also difficult to accurately predict how teams will perform against each other, as there are often unexpected results in college football.
The preseason ballot is also subject to criticism. Some argue that it is too heavily influenced by past performance, and that it does not accurately reflect the current state of college football. Others argue that it is too subjective and that it does not take into account the potential impact of injuries or other unforeseen events.
Despite its flaws, the preseason ballot remains an important part of college football. It serves as a starting point for fans and media to debate and discuss which teams are most likely to be successful during the season. It also provides a benchmark for teams to measure their progress throughout the year. Ultimately, the preseason ballot is an educated guess, but it is an important part of understanding and predicting college football success.
