Podcaster Poll

            Now that the 2023 April Preseason Poll has concluded, let’s start the analysis by taking a look at the fifth most mathematically irregular ballot according to the Pod Poll Irregularity Index: Cincy Slangin’ Bearcat Podcast

The median score was a 29.4, Cincy Slangin’ scored nearly double that at 57.6

Cincy Slangin’s ballot:

1. Georgia
2. USC
3. Michigan
4. LSU
5. Alabama
6. Texas
7. Clemson
8. Notre Dame
9. Penn State
10. Kansas State
11. TCU
12. Ole Miss
13. Texas Tech
14. Wisconsin
15. Ohio State
16. Oregon
17. Washington
18. Florida State
19. Colorado
20. Troy
21. Utah
22. UNC
23. Oklahoma State
24. Tennessee
25. Kentucky

            The most mathematically irregular single pick on this ballot is a glaring one, Ohio State sitting at number fifteen. This accounts for over a tenth of Cincy Slangin’s total score. In the aggregated rankings Ohio State came in at number four and ESPN’s FPI ranks them as the number one team in the FBS. When asked about their reasons for the decision, Cincy Slangin’ said:
            ”Buckeye fans are growing weary of Ryan Day and I see that situation reaching a boiling point this year. Marvin Harrison Jr. may be the best player in the country, but the drop-off from CJ Stroud to Kyle McCord/Devin Brown is going to be noticeable, particularly against the likes of Notre Dame, Penn State, and Michigan. OSU’s depth of talent will carry them most games, but the quarterback question mark and weight of the world on Ryan Day’s shoulders is going to keep them out of the Playoff conversation in 2023-2024.”
            This is a plausible scenario and one not well recognized, can Ohio State replace the likes of CJ Stroud? Even if they can, can they stand up to Michigan’s running back room, Penn State’s expected breakout season, AND Notre Dame two years into Marcus Freeman’s tenure as head coach of the Irish? Cincy Slangin’ contends that, no, Ohio State isn’t in a position to hold its own against three separate playoff contenders.

            Sitting happy at number two on CS’s ballot is USC. USC is ranked at number 5 by the Podcaster Poll. Cincy Slangin’ is far from the only voter that’s all in on lincoln Riley and the trojans, who were ranked number one by Will Miles, but expectations for USC are polarized. Questions loom over the defense on whether or not a game wrecker will arise. Cincy Slangin’ makes the assertion that “USC is going to be the best offense in the country. The combination of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams was prolific in ‘22-23 and will go up a level next season with the addition of Kliff Kingsbury at OC. USC was exposed last season for its lack of physicality and talent on the defensive side of the ball, but I foresee just enough improvement on that side of the ball via portal additions and year two of coaching continuity to allow the offense to carry the Trojans to the CFP.”

            Another notable piece of Cincy Slangin’s ballot is the ranking of Notre Dame over Penn State. Many voters, such as Hoosier Huddle who ranked PSU fourth, see 2023 as the breakout year Nittany Lions fans have been waiting for. When asked if Cincy Slangin’ believed that there were questions with Penn State they stated,“This has less to do with James Franklin’s Penn State squad than it does betting on Marcus Freeman. I didn’t love Notre Dame’s frugality in the offensive coordinator search, but Freeman’s ability to both attract talent and develop it is unrivaled and I see the fruits of that labor bearing out in ‘23-24.”
            It remains to be seen if Marcus Freeman can bring Notre Dame back to the forefront of college football, a place where Fighting Irish fans expect to be year in and year out. It will be tough for Marcus Freeman to outcompete this veteran Penn State team in his second year, but he’ll have ample opportunity to prove himself with games against Ohio State, Clemson, and USC.

            Cincy Slangin’ is undeniably high on the Big 12 with both Texas and K-State in the top ten. With the addition of the four new teams and in the final season of Oklahoma and Texas, there is an obligatory question as to expectations for the conference,“The Big 12 will be the most entertaining conference week to week in college football this season. Texas’ talent will prevail and will flirt with the CFP this season, causing Longhorn fans to second-guess their impending departure to the S-E-C.”

            The final notable ranking that we discussed was Cincy Slangin’s decision to place Colorado at number nineteen. To this, the response was immediate and to the point,“Deion.” But most voters don’t have the same sentiment. So it remains to be seen whether or not ‘Coach Prime’ can turn around the Colorado program using the portal and his name value.

            And of course, we asked about what the podcast expects from their team, UC,“The Cincinnati Bearcats are going to experience the growing pains others have historically felt when making a jump from the G5 to P5, particularly due to the coaching and roster turnover spurred by Luke Fickell’s departure to Wisconsin. Bryan Brown will lead a ferocious defense that will finish in the Top 3 in the Big 12, but the lack of skill position talent offensively will hinder this team in its first year in the Big 12.”

            Even the most controversial picks have reasonable expectations and predictions behind them and, if Ohio State falls to Michigan, Penn State, and/or Notre Dame, Cincy Slangin’ could be proven right in their analysis.

            There remain four pods with even higher irregularity scores, so we’ll see just how far reasonable (and unreasonable) decisions can stray from the group’s expectations.