Hey folks! I've been trying to get a grip on understanding college football rankings. I know there are several polls out there that affect these rankings. Could anyone tell me which college football poll holds the most weight or is regarded as the most significant? Thanks a bunch!
Hello! In the world of college football, two key polls carry significant weight and are usually referred to when discussing teams' rankings: the Associated Press (AP) Poll and the Coaches Poll.
The AP Poll is filled out by sportswriters across the nation and has been doing so since 1936. It's of historical significance and considered rather authoritative, often framing a lot of football conversations during the season.
On the other hand, the Coaches Poll is conducted by USA Today and voted on by head coaches across the country, making it well-regarded given that the voters are specific individuals involved in the sport.
However, when it comes to determining who plays in the College Football Playoff, the College Football Playoff rankings take precedence. The CFP rankings are determined by a committee of 13 members who evaluate teams based on a variety of factors. These rankings occur later in the season and ultimately decide the twelve teams that will play in the national semifinals.
While these three are the most prominent, there are also other polls and computer-based ranking systems that can play into the overall discourse of team rankings. Use these rankings as guiding posts but remember, the ultimate judge of a team's season is their performance on the field! Hope this helps!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.