College football

What names and rankings have in common

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Deseret News

Utes celebrate a touchdown by Utah Utes running back John White IV as the University of Utah faces Arizona State in NCAA football in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.

With college football’s return this fall, there are a number of returning teams ready to build on their success last season. First off, the number one ranked and defending national champions, Ohio State, are 7-0. Last year’s noise makers from the Big 12, TCU and Baylor, were teams that nearly missed out in the first ever College Football Playoff. This year, both schools have an undefeated record and are ranked in the top five. Even last season’s highly competitive Cotton Bowl Champions, Michigan State, are 7-0 and ranked number seven in the AP poll. However, all of these expected power teams for 2015 have had questionable wins against inferior opposition.

The defending champion Buckeyes’ undefeated record does not tell their early season story of 2015.  Undefeated. No wins against ranked opponents. No. 101 in the nation in turnover margin. Allows 15.2 points per game. Scores 34.4 points per game. Ohio State even struggled with a non-power conference side, Northern Illinois and won 20-13. The Buckeyes’ finally had an impressive and convincing victory in week 6 vs Maryland, however it is unclear how Ohio State would perform against another top ten team. However, the most underrated team this year comes from the well rounded Pac-12.  This Utes are undefeated. Two wins against ranked opposition. No. 7 in the nation in turnover margin. Allows 18.8 points per game. Scores 38.8 points per game. A surprising high-power offense has come and shined this year from Utah, and most analysts are calling for them to be ranked number one.  

“Brand recognition usually matters,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops told ESPN.com this summer. “If all things are equal, sometimes you go with what’s the most familiar and/or you know.”

So far this year, college football recognized Oklahoma, Alabama, USC, Michigan, Florida State and Ohio State in the pre-season rankings. Out of these teams, only 3 remained undefeated. Out of the combined wins for Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida State, none of their wins have come against ranked opposition in the week 7 polls. But, programs like Iowa? Utah? California? Undefeated or one loss teams that have the résumé but not the name?

Senior John Lake is certainly one to think that rankings depend on the name.

“This year it has been extremely obvious that college football has favored the brand name schools,” said Lake. “Ohio State is only Number One because of their national championship last season, and not based off their results this season.”

Freshman Joe Audiffred is also in agreement that there are a number of teams over ranked this year.

“Florida State is definitely the most overrated team. The only reason they are ranked in the top 15 is based off their results in the previous seasons,” said Audiffred. “Florida State hasn’t played any tough opponents and don’t have a quarterback as strong as last year.”

There are 13 undefeated power conference 5 teams remaining, but Ohio State has had a lock on the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll and the Coaches’ polls since they won the national title last season. While it is the selection committee’s job to rank teams based on what they’ve done this season, some early polls are still based off what Ohio State has done in the past.

Utah’s 6-0 start, which includes wins over No.12 Michigan, Oregon, and California is its best in five years. The Utes were ranked fourth in the AP poll this week, with 16 first-place votes — the most they have ever received in a regular-season poll. They’re ranked seventh (with one first-place vote) in the coaches’ poll. However, Utah is ranked number one in the power rankings poll.

While week 8 has yet to begin in College Football, and controversy has already arisen in college football. By the time the playoffs roll around, will the polls still favorite Ohio State? Or will it take a twist and favorite the so far superior Utah team?