Podcaster Poll

          Today we’ll be taking a look at the third most mathematically irregular ballot in the 2023 April Preseason Podcaster Poll: OkStProbs

          The median ballot score on the Irregularity Index came in with 29.4 points, OkStProbs scored more than double that with 60.3 points, placing them 1.1 points ahead of the fourth most irregular ballot, the FunBelt Podcast. 

          The largest contributor to OkStProbs’ irregularity score was their inclusion of Houston at number 24. The podcast was the only voter to place Houston in the top 25. They ranked a total of seven Big 12 teams, three of which in the top ten, so they expect a very high level of competition from the Big 12. The four teams entering the Big 12 are a rarity on PodPoll ballots so we asked what separated Houston in particular from the rest of the Big 12 and, specifically, the incoming teams,”Houston is going to be the sleeper in my opinion. They show some promise of being the underdog, but anything can happen.” Whether Houston is criminally underrated or not remains to be seen, but OkStProbs expects a strong showing from Dana Holgorsen in his fifth season coaching the Cougars. Holgorsen has enjoyed a two year stretch of some success, and this podcast sees that continuing as they enter the Power 5.

Although it is rare to see the four newcomers on ballots, it is very much not an unpopular opinion that this might be the best Big 12 in recent memory as Cincy Slangin’ said in a recent interview with the Pod Poll that “The Big 12 will be the most entertaining conference week to week in college football this season.” because of its strength throughout and the highly competitive race for champion.

          Another controversial pick came in with number 21 Colorado. Voters such as OkStProbs have faith in Coach Prime’s capability to turn around a flailing program in a single season. We asked if it was really possible for the Buffaloes, who went 1-11 in 2022, to find top 25 caliber success,”You look at schools like USC that turned everything around, and with the ‘strength’ of the PAC 12, I don’t see Deion Sanders having a problem.” A couple things are certain with this ballot, and that is well summed up in one tweet from the podcast,”I don’t recognize the PAC 12”. We’ll see if that evaluation of the conference ends on top and if the hype around Washington and Oregon is just that, hype and nothing more.

          Staying on the topic of the PAC 12, one very notable team missing on this ballot was Washington. Washington has a lot of hype and potential surrounding itself going into 2023 and Husky fans are champing at the bit for a possible playoff run,”Probably made a mistake about Washington, but they’re easy to forget.” Is Washington a sleeper for the CFP or just another PAC 12 sacrifice to USC?

          A lot of people are riding high on Notre Dame in its second year under head coach Marcus Freeman, the hope of the Fighting Irish. But OkStProbs doesn’t see anything special happening from him, leaving the Irish unranked,“Notre Dame is garbage and lost to Marshall at home.” Certainly a clear and concise way to say that Notre Dame, which ended the 2022 season with an 9-2 run, has no potential. If the Irish collapse, OkStProbs will have the right to say they told you so. But until then, it remains a fringe opinion among PodPoll voters.

          Similarly, Penn State was left off the ballot entirely. Many expect a breakout year for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, but their history of getting hype and then falling flat does not go unnoticed by some pods,”I probably should have put Penn State in there but they haven’t done anything to impress anyone for the past couple seasons.” Penn State has had disappointing outcomes against Michigan and Ohio State time and time again but this year, despite the duo of playoff contenders standing in their way yet again, there’s hope in Happy Valley.

          Finally, we came to a very pronounced decision in the ballot, FSU at number five. Florida State is undeniably improving from its place in the gutter of the ACC, but is this the year they turn things around and return to their place atop the ACC? OkStProbs says unequivocally yes,”Florida State will beat Clemson and win the ACC because of Jordan Travis. I could see Travis bringing home the Heisman.”

          The inclusions and disclusions had valid reasons behind them and some PAC 12 hate, but in particular OkStProbs has high expectations for Houston and Florida State to make their place known. It remains to be seen whether or not Washington, Notre Dame, and Penn State are truly fraud teams ready to collapse, but if that ends up being the case then OkStProbs certainly has the lone opportunity to have the most accurate ballot in the preseason polls when they’re compared to the postseason poll and say “I told you so”.

          Until then, OkStProbs remains the voter behind the third most irregular ballot and the odd man out and a denier of Penn State, ND, and Washington in the midst of a wave of blue, white, purple, & gold. We will see if the lone believer in the Cougars will hold their own.