Final Season Résumé Rankings
1. LSU 13-1 (1st)
2. Oklahoma State 12-1 (2nd)
3. Alabama 12-1 (3rd)
4. Oregon 12-2 (7th)
5. Stanford 11-2 (4th)
6. Arkansas 11-2 (5th)
7. Boise State 12-1 (8th)
8. South Carolina 11-2 (NR)
9. USC 10-2 (9th)
10. Michigan 11-2 (NR)
Out: Kansas State (6th); Wisconsin (10th).
Explanation: I have to admit that I can’t say how much sense these rankings make or even if they have any use at all. Once more I have come to the conclusion that I absolutely have to come up with a more scientific way of doing these rankings. I know I’ve said this several times, but I really am going to come up with a formula next year. If I can’t come up with a better method for these rankings they may not be worth doing.
2 teams fell out of the top 10 in my final season résumé rankings. Despite some blockbuster matchups, the top 3 spots in my rankings remained unchanged. 2 teams moved up in the final rankings, while 2 teams moved down in the final rankings but stayed in the top 10.
It was pretty tough to determine the top 3 spots, as LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma State each had only 1 loss and very impressive résumés. Even though Alabama defeated LSU and Oklahoma State got a big win over Stanford, the Tigers remained in the top spot, finishing as the #1 team in the final season résumé rankings.
Clearly the gap was closed significantly, as the Tigers had been the only undefeated team going into the bowl season. Still, LSU was 11-1 against BCS teams; 8-1 against bowl teams; and 5-0 on the road (plus 2-1 on neutral field). Their only loss came to Alabama in the NC game on a neutral field. They had 5 excellent wins (vs. Oregon; at West Virginia; at Alabama; Arkansas; and vs. Georgia).
Oklahoma State was a very, very close 2nd to LSU. The Cowboys remained in the #2 spot in my final season résumé rankings after getting yet another high quality victory. Ok State was 10-1 against BCS teams; 9-1 against bowl teams; and 5-1 on the road (plus 1-0 on neutral field). Their only loss came in OT-II at Iowa State. That wasn’t a great loss but it certainly wasn’t a terrible loss. The Cowboys had 4 excellent wins (Baylor; Kansas State; Oklahoma; and vs. Stanford).
Alabama lost only 1 game all season and they were the only team in the country to beat LSU, but the Tide’s overall body of work wasn’t quite as good as that of LSU or Ok State. Despite their big win in the NC game, I kept Alabama at #3 in the final season résumé rankings.
To be honest, Bama was a pretty obvious #3. They were 9-1 against BCS teams; 7-1 against bowl teams; and 5-0 on the road (plus 1-0 on neutral field). Bama’s only loss came to LSU in overtime. They had 3 excellent victories this season (at Penn State; Arkansas; and vs. LSU).
Oregon defeated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and the Ducks made the biggest move in the final edition of these rankings, climbing 3 spots to finish the year at #4. Oregon went 10-2 against BCS teams; 7-2 against bowl teams (including USC); and 4-0 on the road (1-1 on neutral field). Their only losses were to LSU on a neutral field and to USC. They had 2 excellent wins (at Stanford and vs. Wisconsin).
Stanford had a win over Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl all wrapped up if they could just hit a very makeable FG in the final seconds. They missed and ended up losing in OT. It was obviously not what you would call a bad loss. However, the defeat did drop them from the ranks of the 1-loss teams, and they ended up falling 1 spot to #5 in my final season résumé rankings.
Stanford went 9-2 against BCS teams (not including Notre Dame); 5-2 against bowl teams (including USC); and 5-0 on the road (0-1 on neutral field). Their only losses were to Oregon and vs. Okie State in overtime. Stanford had 1 outstanding victory this season (at USC).
Arkansas beat KSU in the Cotton Bowl to finish 11-2 but they fell 1 spot to #6 in my final season résumé rankings. The Hogs were 8-2 against BCS teams; 6-2 against bowl teams; and 2-2 on the road (2-0 on neutral field). Arkansas’ only losses this season came at Alabama and at LSU. They had a pair of excellent wins (South Carolina and vs. KSU).
Boise State wasn’t given the chance to get a win against a worthy opponent in the bowl season that might have greatly enhanced their résumé. Still, they pummeled ASU and moved up 1 spot to #7 in my final season résumé rankings.
Boise State was just 2-0 against BCS teams but they were 8-1 against bowl teams. They were also 5-0 on the road and 2-0 on neutral fields. The Broncos only loss came by 1point against TCU. Their only really excellent victory was a win over Georgia at the Georgia Dome in week 1.
South Carolina got a very impressive win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl and they jumped into the final season résumé rankings at #8. The Gamecocks were 8-2 against BCS teams; 6-2 against bowl teams; and 3-1 on the road (2-0 on neutral field). South Carolina’s losses came against Auburn and at Arkansas. The loss to Auburn was bad but they had 3 excellent wins (at Georgia; Clemson; and vs. Nebraska).
USC wasn’t allowed to play in a bowl game this season but they remained at #9 in the final season résumé rankings. The Trojans were 9-2 against BCS teams (not including ND); 6-2 against bowl teams; and 4-1 on the road. Their losses came at ASU and against Stanford in OT-III. That loss to ASU looks bad now but at the time it wasn’t such a bad loss. They could very easily have beaten Stanford. Their only truly excellent win was against Oregon on the road.
Michigan won a thriller over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl and the Wolverines jumped into the final season résumé rankings at #10. Michigan was 7-2 against BCS teams (not including ND); 9-2 against bowl teams; and 2-2 on the road (1-0 on neutral field). Their losses came on the road against MSU and Iowa. They had a pair of excellent wins (Nebraska and vs. Virginia Tech).
2 teams fell out of the top 10 in the final edition of the season résumé rankings. Kansas State fell to Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, suffering their 3rd defeat of the season. They fell out of the top 10 from #6 in the final edition of these rankings. Wisconsin came up short against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, losing their 3rd game of the year. They fell out of the rankings from #10 in the final edition of the season résumé rankings.
Season Résumé Rankings Season Notes: Once again there were 16 sets of these rankings this season (weeks 1-15 of the regular season plus the final rankings), with each edition ranking the top 10 teams based on total body of work.
15 of the 16 sets of rankings were unique, with the rankings only remaining exactly the same in week 15 when only Army and Navy had been in action.
This year there were only 3 weeks when all 10 teams from the previous week remained in the rankings: week 10; week 13; and week 15. There were also only 3 weeks when 9 of the 10 teams from the previous week remained in the rankings. At least 2 teams from the previous week fell out of the top 10 in 9 of the 15 editions of these rankings after week 1.
There were 4 weeks when 3 or more teams fell out of the rankings. As usual, the most chaotic edition was the week 2 rankings, when 7 of 10 teams fell out of the rankings. Week 4 was also a mess, as 5 of the 10 teams dropped from the rankings.
Things settled down as the year went on. At least 8 of 10 teams remained in the rankings in each of the final 11 editions of the season résumé rankings.
27 different teams were included in at least 1 of the 16 editions of the season résumé rankings. However, no team made it into all 16 editions of the season résumé rankings.
Only 2 teams were included in 15 of the 16 editions (Alabama and Oklahoma State). LSU made it into 14 of the 16 editions. Boise State was ranked in 13 of the 16 editions of the season résumé rankings. Stanford made it into 11 of the 16 editions. Houston was included in 10 of the 16 editions of the season résumé rankings.
2 teams made it into 9 of the 16 editions of these rankings (Oregon and Arkansas). 2 teams were ranked in 8 of the 16 editions (Oklahoma and Clemson). KSU made it into 7 of 16 editions.
2 teams were included in 6 of the 16 editions (Michigan and Wisconsin). South Carolina was ranked in 5 of the 16 editions of the season résumé rankings. Virginia Tech made it into 4 of the 16 editions.
2 teams were ranked in 3 of the 16 editions of these rankings (Texas and USC). 4 teams were included in 2 of the 16 editions (South Florida, FIU, Florida, Illinois). 6 teams made it into 1 of the 16 editions (Texas A&M, Baylor, BYU, Northwestern, Auburn, California).
Only 3 teams were ever ranked #1 in these rankings (LSU x 12; Alabama x 3; Oklahoma State x 1). LSU opened as the #1 team in week 1. Alabama held the #1 spot for the next 2 weeks, before LSU moved back to #1 in week 4. Bama reclaimed the top spot in week 5, but LSU retook the #1 spot in week 6 and they would hold the #1 ranking for 5 straight weeks.
That streak was snapped by Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys grabbed the #1 ranking in week 11. However, LSU retook the #1 spot in week 12 and the Tigers remained the #1 team for the final 5 editions.
5 different teams were ranked #2 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Oklahoma State x 8; Alabama x 4; LSU x 2; Boise State x 1; South Carolina x 1).
7 different teams were ranked #3 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Alabama x 6; Oklahoma x 3; Oklahoma State x 2; Stanford x 2; South Florida x 1; Auburn x 1; Clemson x 1).
9 different teams were ranked #4 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Stanford x 4; Boise State x 3; Clemson x 2; Oregon x 2; South Florida x 1; Oklahoma x 1; Oklahoma State x 1; Florida x 1; Arkansas x 1).
11 different teams were ranked #5 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Boise State x 3; Oklahoma x 2; Stanford x 2; Arkansas x 2; Texas A&M x 1; Alabama x 1; Michigan x 1; Oklahoma State x 1; Wisconsin x 1; Clemson x 1; Virginia Tech x 1).
12 different teams were ranked #6 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Kansas State x 3; Houston x 2; Oklahoma State x 2; Boise State x 1; Oklahoma x 1; Baylor x 1; South Carolina x 1; Alabama x 1; FIU x 1; Stanford x 1; Virginia Tech x 1; Arkansas x 1).
11 different teams were ranked #7 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Oregon x 3; Michigan x 3; Arkansas x 2; Boise State x 1; Oklahoma x 1; BYU x 1; Houston x 1; Texas x 1; Stanford x 1; Florida x 1; KSU x 1).
9 different teams were ranked #8 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Boise State x 4; Houston x 3; South Carolina x 2; Wisconsin x 2; Northwestern x 1; Michigan x 1; Clemson x 1; Illinois x 1; Arkansas x 1).
10 different teams were ranked #9 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (USC x 3; Houston x 2; Clemson x 2; KSU x 2; Oregon x 2; Texas x 1; California x 1; Stanford x 1; Wisconsin x 1; Illinois x 1).
11 different teams were ranked #10 in at least 1 edition of these rankings (Houston x 2; Wisconsin x 2; Virginia Tech x 2; Oregon x 2; Arkansas x 2; South Carolina x 1; Michigan x 1; Texas x 1; FIU x 1; Clemson x 1; KSU x 1).
Here’s a rundown of the 27 teams that made it into the season résumé rankings during 2011, listed by number of appearances.
Alabama: Alabama was ranked in 15 of 16 editions of these rankings (#1 x 3; #2 x 4; #3 x 6; #5 x 1; #6 x 1). Bama was left out of the 1st edition of these rankings, but they debuted in week 2 at #1. After holding the #1 spot for a couple of weeks, Bama dropped to #2, and then went back to #1 in week 5. They were the #2 team for the next 3 weeks.
Bama then fell to #3 and then to #6. They moved up to #5 in week 11 and then ranked #3 in the final 5 editions. They were ranked in the top 6 in the final 15 editions and they were ranked in the top 3 in 13 of 16 editions.
Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State was ranked in 15 of 16 editions of these rankings (#1 x 1; #2 x 8; #3 x 2; #4 x 1; #5 x 1; #6 x 2). After not being in the rankings in week 1, Okie State debuted at #6 in week 2. They moved all the way to #2 in week 3; then fell back to #3; then to #5; and then to #6 in week 6.
They then moved in the other direction, climbing to #4; then to #3; and then to #2 for a couple of weeks. They were ranked #1 in week 11. They were ranked #2 in the final 5 editions. Oklahoma State was ranked in the top 6 in the final 15 editions and they were ranked in the top 3 in the final 9 editions.
LSU: LSU was ranked in 14 of 16 editions of these rankings (#1 x 12; #2 x 2). The Tigers were the #1 team in week 1. Then they spent 2 weeks out of the top 10, before regaining the #1 spot in week 4. They were ranked #2 in week 5 but they reclaimed #1 in week 6 and they held the top spot for 5 straight weeks. They were bumped to #2 in week 11 but then moved to #1 again in week 12 and they were ranked #1 in the final 5 editions. LSU was ranked in the top 2 in the final 13 editions.
Boise State: Boise State was ranked in 13 of 16 editions of these rankings (#2 x 1; #4 x 3; #5 x 3; #6 x 1; #7 x 1; #8 x 4). The Broncos were ranked #2 in week 1. They then spent 2 weeks out of the rankings before getting back into the top 10 at #4 in week 4. After 2 weeks at #4, the Broncos fell to #5; then to #6; then back to #5 for 2 weeks; and finally back to #4 in week 10.
They fell out of the rankings in week 11. They got back in the rankings at #8 in week 12 and they would be ranked #8 in 4 straight editions before finishing ranked #7 in the final rankings. The Broncos were ranked in the top 8 in 12 of the final 13 editions.
Stanford: Stanford was ranked in 11 of 16 editions of these rankings (#3 x 2; #4 x 4; #5 x 2; #6 x 1; #7 x 1; #9 x 1). Stanford was unranked in the first 2 editions before debuting at #3 in week 3. They then fell out of the rankings and spent 3 weeks outside the top 10. In week 7 they jumped back in the rankings at #9. They moved to #7 the next week; then to #4; then to #3.
That was their peak. They fell to #6 the next week; then moved up to #5; then to #4 for 3 straight weeks. They were ranked #5 in the final rankings. Stanford was ranked in the top 9 in the final 10 editions.
Houston: Houston was ranked in 10 of 16 editions of these rankings (#6 x 2; #7 x 1; #8 x 3; #9 x 2; #10 x 2). Houston was ranked #9, #8, and #10 in the first 3 editions respectively. They then spent 3 weeks outside the top 10 before climbing back in the rankings at #10 in week 7.
They moved to #8 the next week; then to #6; then back to #9; then to #8; then to #7; and then to #6. Then they fell out of the top 10 and they were unranked in the final 3 editions.
Oregon: The Ducks were ranked in 9 of 16 editions of these rankings (#4 x 2; #7 x 3; #9 x 2; #10 x 2). Surprisingly, the Ducks were unranked in the first 7 editions. They debuted at #9 in week 8 and spent a couple of weeks at that spot before moving up to #7 and then to #4 in week 11.
They fell off to #10 for the next 2 weeks; then spent 2 weeks at #7; before finishing at #4 in the final rankings. Oregon was ranked in the final 9 editions after being left out of the first 7 editions.
Arkansas: The Hogs were ranked in 9 of 16 editions of these rankings (#4 x 1; #5 x 2; #6 x 1; #7 x 2; #8 x 1; #10 x 2). The Hogs were also unranked in the first 7 editions before debuting at #10 in week 8. After a couple of weeks at #10, the Hogs moved to #8; then to #7; and then to #4.
That was their peak. They fell back to #7 in week 13; then spent 2 weeks ranked #5; before finishing ranked #6 in the final edition. Like Oregon, the Hogs were ranked in the final 9 editions after being left out of the first 7 editions.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma was ranked in 8 of 16 editions of these rankings (#3 x 3; #4 x 1; #5 x 2; #6 x 1; #7 x 1). Oklahoma was ranked #4 in week 1. They then spent 2 weeks out of the top 10 before rejoining the rankings in week 4 at #5. They were #6 in week 5 and then spent 2 weeks ranked #3, before falling out of the rankings in week 8.
They were back in the rankings the next week at #7. They climbed to #5 the next week and then moved to #3. But they fell out of the rankings after that and were unranked in the final 5 editions.
Clemson: Clemson was ranked in 8 of 16 editions of these rankings (#3 x 1; #4 x 2; #5 x 1; #8 x 1; #9 x 2; #10 x 1). Clemson missed the first 3 editions before debuting at #9 in week 4. They moved all the way to #3 in week 5; then moved to #4; then to #5; and then back to #4.
They fell to #8 in week 9; then to #10; then up to #9. Finally, the Tigers dropped out of the rankings in week 12 and they would be unranked in the final 5 editions.
Kansas State: The Wildcats were ranked in 7 of 16 editions of these rankings (#6 x 3; #7 x 1; #9 x 2; #10 x 1). KSU debuted at #10 in week 6. They moved up to #7 the next week and then to #6 before falling out of the rankings again in week 9.
They spent 3 weeks out of the top 10 before rejoining the rankings in week 12 at #9. They spent 2 weeks at #9 and then 2 weeks at #6. They fell out of the rankings in the final edition.
Michigan: Michigan was ranked in 6 of 16 editions of these rankings (#5 x 1; #7 x 3; #8 x 1; #10 x 1). The Wolverines debuted at #5 in week 2. They fell to #7 the next week and then to #8. They were ranked #7 the next 2 weeks before falling out of the rankings in week 7. They were unranked for the next 9 editions before finishing at #10 in the final rankings.
Wisconsin: The Badgers were ranked in 6 of 16 editions of these rankings (#5 x 1; #8 x 2; #9 x 1; #10 x 2). Wisconsin was in and out of these rankings more than most teams. They were unranked in the first 2 editions, then debuted at #5 in week 3, before falling out again a week later.
The next week they were back in the top 10 at #8; then they fell to #9; then back to #8; and then out of the rankings for 6 straight weeks. They got back in the rankings at #10 in week 14. They were ranked #10 the next week as well but they fell out of the rankings in the final edition.
South Carolina: South Carolina was ranked in 5 of 16 editions of these rankings (#2 x 1; #6 x 1; #8 x 2; #10 x 1). South Carolina was ranked #10 in week 1 and they moved all the way up to #2 the next week. They fell all the way to #8 after that and then moved up to #6 before falling out of the rankings in week 5. They were unranked for 11 straight weeks before finishing at #8 in the final edition.
Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech was ranked in 4 of 16 editions of these rankings (#5 x 1; #6 x 1; #10 x 2). The Hokies debuted at #10 in week 4, but they dropped out of the rankings the next week, and they would be unranked for 6 straight weeks. They were back at #10 in week 11; then moved to #6; then to #5. They fell out of the rankings after that and were unranked in the final 3 editions.
Texas: Texas was ranked in 3 of 16 editions of these rankings (#7 x 1; #9 x 1; #10 x 1). Texas debuted at #7 in week 2 and they were #9 in week 3. They were out of the rankings in week 4 but they jumped back in at #10 in week 5 before falling out of the rankings for good.
USC: USC was ranked in 3 of 16 editions of these rankings (#9 x 3). It took a long time for the Trojans to crack the top 10. They finally debuted at #9 in week 14 and they would be ranked #9 in the final 3 editions.
South Florida: South Florida was ranked in 2 of 16 editions of these rankings (#3 x 1; #4 x 1). South Florida opened the season at #3 in week 1, and they were ranked #4 in week 2, but they fell out of the rankings the next week and were never heard from again.
Florida International: FIU was ranked in 2 of 16 editions of these rankings (#6 x 1; #10 x 1). The Panthers were the surprise team of these rankings, debuting at #10 in week 2. They reached #6 in week 3 before falling out of the rankings for good the next week.
Florida: The Gators were ranked in 2 of 16 editions of these rankings (#4 x 1; #7 x 1). Florida cracked the rankings at #4 in week 3. They were ranked #7 in week 4 but they fell out of the rankings in week 5 and never got back into the top 10.
Illinois: Illinois was ranked in 2 of 16 editions of these rankings (#8 x 1; #9 x 1). Illinois started the season with a string of wins and they managed to crack the top 10 at #9 in week 5. They were ranked #8 in week 6 but they fell out of the rankings the next week and never returned.
Texas A&M: The Aggies were ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#5 x 1). A&M was ranked #5 in the first edition but they fell out of the rankings in week 2 and were never ranked again.
Baylor: The Bears were ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#6 x 1). Baylor was ranked #6 in the first edition but it would be their only week in the rankings. They fell out of the top 10 for good the next week.
BYU: BYU was ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#7 x 1). BYU was ranked #7 in week 1 but they fell out for good the next week.
Northwestern: NW was ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#8 x 1). Northwestern was #8 in the first edition but they fell out of the top 10 for good in week 2.
Auburn: Auburn was ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#3 x 1). Auburn debuted at #3 in week 2 but it would be a short stay for them. They fell out of the top 10 for good the next week.
California: Cal was ranked in 1 of 16 editions of these rankings (#9 x 1). California debuted at #9 in week 2 but they fell out of the rankings the next week and would never return to the top 10.
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