The latest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll is facing criticism for what some perceive as preferential treatment for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and established program names, regardless of on-field results.
According to reporting, voters in the poll may not be paying close enough attention to team performances or are influenced by conference and team biases. This season's early rankings have highlighted the perceived overemphasis on preseason polls and the special consideration given to SEC teams.
Teams like the Texas Longhorns, despite two losses to the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators, are ranked No. 10. Their resume includes an escape against Ohio State and a win over Ole Miss. In contrast, Texas Tech, with only one loss at Cincinnati, and two wins against ranked Big 12 opponents, is ranked No. 13.
Missouri is ranked No. 19 with a less impressive record, having lost to Ole Miss and a seemingly mediocre Mississippi State team. Their significant win over Florida is diminished by Florida's subsequent collapse.
The ranking of Florida and South Carolina is particularly contentious. Florida, with three losses including significant blowouts to Missouri (45-17), South Carolina (38-19), and Georgia (27-8), is ranked. Critics argue that without their SEC affiliation, Florida would not be ranked, especially given the margin of their defeats.
Similarly, South Carolina holds a No. 23 ranking despite also having three losses. While they did beat Tennessee, their other losses include significant defeats to Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Alabama (49-18). The ranking appears to stem partly from a win over a mediocre Oklahoma team.
In contrast, Northwestern, with only two close losses to Indiana and Oregon, is not ranked. The poll's treatment of Notre Dame has also drawn scrutiny. The Irish, with a 7-1 record and a loss on the road to BYU, are ranked No. 4, ahead of undefeated UCLA and one-loss Indiana. UCLA, the only undefeated team in the Big Ten or SEC, has wins over Wisconsin and Oregon, yet is ranked below Notre Dame.
Critics suggest that poll voters are overly committed to brand names, both at the team and conference level. The ongoing shift in college football due to NIL and the transfer portal, which has leveled the playing field, is seen as a factor that should diminish the importance of traditional powerhouses and conference affiliations in rankings. The perceived bias in the AP Poll could influence the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, which are considered more significant.