NCAA Football AP Rankings Explained Simply

The Associated Press (AP) Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 college football teams in the United States, as voted on by a group of sportswriters and broadcasters. This poll is one of the most widely followed and respected measures of a team’s performance during the college football season. To understand how the AP Poll works and what it signifies, let’s break down its history, methodology, and impact on the college football landscape.

History of the AP Poll

The AP Poll began in 1936, making it one of the longest-running polls in college football history. It was created to provide a national perspective on the best teams across the country, as college football was growing in popularity and teams were starting to compete against each other across different regions. Over the years, the poll has evolved in terms of its voting membership and the way votes are tabulated, but its core purpose remains the same: to identify the top teams in college football.

How the AP Poll Works

1. Voting Membership: The AP Poll is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the United States. The exact number of voters can vary, but it typically includes around 62 members. These voters are selected based on their expertise and coverage of college football.

2. Voting Process: Each week during the college football season, voters are asked to rank the top 25 teams in the country. Voters are not required to use a specific criteria for their rankings, allowing them to consider a variety of factors such as a team’s win-loss record, strength of schedule, performance against top opponents, and recent trends.

3. Tabulation: The votes are tabulated by adding up the points received by each team. A first-place vote is worth 25 points, a second-place vote is worth 24 points, and so on, down to a 25th-place vote, which is worth 1 point. The points are then totaled to determine the ranking. The team with the most points is ranked number one, and so on, until the top 25 teams are identified.

Impact of the AP Poll

The AP Poll has a significant impact on the college football landscape for several reasons:

• National Attention: Being ranked highly in the AP Poll can bring a team national attention and prestige. It can also affect recruiting, as top high school players often look to play for highly ranked programs.

• Postseason Implications: Historically, the AP Poll has played a role in determining which teams are selected for major bowl games and, until the advent of the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2014, it was one of the factors used to determine the national champion.

• CFP Rankings: While the AP Poll is separate from the CFP Rankings, there is a correlation between the two. Teams that perform well in the AP Poll are more likely to be considered for the CFP Rankings, which directly determine the teams that will compete in the College Football Playoff.

Understanding the AP Poll Rankings

To interpret the AP Poll effectively, it’s essential to understand that it’s a subjective measure that reflects the opinions of its voters. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Subjectivity: While voters are experienced journalists and broadcasters, their rankings are inherently subjective. Different voters may prioritize different criteria, leading to variations in the rankings from week to week.

• Influence of Recent Performance: Voters often place significant weight on a team’s recent performance. A team that wins convincingly against a strong opponent is likely to rise in the rankings, while a team that loses, especially against a weaker opponent, is likely to fall.

• Strength of Schedule: The strength of a team’s schedule is another critical factor. Beating a weak team doesn’t boost a team’s ranking as much as beating a highly ranked team.

Evolution and Criticisms

Over the years, the AP Poll has faced criticisms and undergone changes. Some critics argue that it can be influenced by biases, either towards teams from certain conferences or regions, or based on a team’s reputation rather than their current performance. There have also been instances where the poll was criticized for being slow to react to changes in a team’s fortunes.

To address some of these criticisms, the AP has made adjustments to its voting process, such as changing the composition of its voting panel to ensure it includes a diverse range of perspectives from across different regions and media outlets.

Practical Application and Impact

For fans, the AP Poll provides a way to gauge their team’s standing relative to others across the country. For coaches and players, it offers a measure of their performance and a benchmark for their goals. The poll also influences media coverage, with highly ranked teams receiving more attention and scrutiny.

Looking to the Future

As college football continues to evolve, with changes in scheduling, playoff formats, and media coverage, the AP Poll is likely to remain a significant part of the landscape. Its tradition and prestige ensure that it will continue to be closely followed by fans and closely watched by teams across the country.

FAQs

The AP Poll remains a cornerstone of college football, offering a snapshot of the top teams each week. Its blend of tradition, subjective voter opinions, and influence on the sport makes it a fascinating aspect of the college football experience.