Back for the 2018 season. A quick reminder of what the formula entails: composite star recruiting rankings, experience (years in college and starts), an outstanding-player bonus (awards, All-American, All-Conference), and a coaching rating based on previous years.
Last year's Top 25 correctly had Alabama #1 (national champion), 2 of the top 5, 5 of the top 10, 11 of the top 15, 14 of the top 20, and 15 of the top 25. Only one top-10 finisher (UCF) was missing, and only three SF top-25 teams missed a bowl.
This Year's Top 25
- Alabama (5.13)
- Clemson (5.10)
- Penn St (4.99)
- Georgia (4.96)
- FSU (4.91)
- Wisconsin (4.84)
- Auburn (4.84)
- Washington (4.77)
- Michigan (4.77)
- Stanford (4.76)
- Ohio St (4.63)
- Southern Cal (4.63)
- Oklahoma (4.61)
- LSU (4.54)
- Florida (4.52)
- Missouri (4.48)
- Texas (4.45)
- Tennessee (4.42)
- Notre Dame (4.40)
- Michigan St (4.40)
- Mississippi St (4.39)
- Oregon (4.38)
- Miami (4.37)
- UCF (4.29)
- UCLA (4.23)
Notes: it could be a banner year for the Big Ten. Clemson and Alabama are easily the two best teams. UCF (4.29) has the highest preseason rating for a Group of 5 school ever, with FAU (4.08) second. Probably the most wide-open year after the top two.
Conference Rankings (new feature)
- SEC – 4.38
- Pac 12 – 4.17
- B1G – 4.12
- ACC – 4.12
- Big 12 – 4.09
- AAC – 3.60
- MWC – 3.22
- CUSA – 3.22
- MAC – 3.16
- SBC – 3.05
Those are average school ratings; the nationwide average is 3.71.