The College Football Blog: 2012 Power Rankings (Season Review)

2012 College Football Power Rankings Season Review

So this is the season review of my power rankings. If you’re new to this website and just checking it out for the first time you’re probably wondering why in the world anyone would care to see a voluminous breakdown of how teams faired in my power rankings during the 2012 season. On the off chance that you actually exist, I guess my answer would be, well, I don’t know, I guess nobody would care. But you and I both know that you do not exist. You are, of course, one of my faithful imaginary readers, and I have taken the time to construct this particular piece (and all of the other things I post on The Horse Collar) just for you.

Changes Tracker

As usual there were 17 editions of my power rankings this year (the preseason power rankings; 15 weeks of power rankings during the regular season; and the final power rankings). 

This season 14 of the editions ended up being unique, with 3 editions being identical. The first 13 editions were unique; then my rankings were the same for 3 straight weeks (week 13-15); before changing again in the final edition. Last year only 2 sets were identical (week 14-15). 

My rankings felt pretty chaotic from week to week during the first half of the season before calming down. Overall, there were 10 weeks in which at least 10 of 15 spots in my rankings experienced change. In fact, in 8 of the first 9 editions following the preseason rankings at least 10 of 15 spots changed. However, less than 10 of 15 spots experienced change in 5 of the final 7 sets of my power rankings. 

At least 7 spots had changed each week until week 13 when just 5 of 15 spots were different. There were no changes in week 14 or week 15. Finally, 11 of 15 spots changed in the post-bowl season edition of the power rankings. 

I made 147 total changes to my power rankings during the 16 editions following the preseason rankings, averaging a bit more than 9 of 15 spots changing per week. Compared to last year my rankings were slightly more chaotic this season. Last year I made 117 total changes (average of a little more than 7 of 15 spots changing per week). 

As stated before, at least 10 of 15 spots in my rankings changed in 10 different editions this year, and that only happened 4 times last year. In addition, last year no more than 12 of 15 spots experienced change in any edition of the power rankings, while this year 13 of 15 spots changed 3 times and 14 of 15 spots experienced change once (week 1). 

The main difference this season was that things were much more chaotic early on in the year, but my rankings were also more chaotic late in the year than they were last year despite the 3 week stretch of identical sets.

Moves In and Out Tracker

This year there were 4 editions of the power rankings in which all 15 teams stayed in the rankings (week 11, week 14, week 15, and final). That was up from 3 such weeks last year. 14 of 15 teams remained in 7 sets of rankings and there was 1 week when 13 of 15 teams stayed in the rankings. So in 12 of the 16 editions following the preseason rankings, at least 13 of 15 teams remained in the power rankings (down from 13 of 16 editions last year). 

I switched out 3 teams in 3 different editions this year (week 1-2 and week 8). The most chaotic edition was week 3 when just 10 of 15 teams remained in the power rankings (I never switched out more than 4 teams in any week last year). I switched out 3 or more teams 4 times this year (up from 3 times last year). Again, it was mostly about things being more chaotic early on, as at least 14 of 15 teams remained in the rankings in 11 of the final 12 editions. Overall I made 23 “switch outs” this season. That was up slightly from 21 last year. 

27 different teams were included in at least 1 of my 17 sets of power rankings this year (up slightly from 26 in each of the previous 2 seasons).   

From Preseason to Final

 9 of the 15 teams in my final power rankings were also in my preseason power rankings (LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, and South Carolina). That wasn’t quite as good as last year when 10 of my preseason top 15 ended up in my final top 15. 

There were 6 teams in my preseason power rankings that didn’t end up in my final power rankings: USC (#3); Texas (#6); Arkansas (#11); West Virginia (#12); Michigan (#13); and Nebraska (#14). 

Here are the 6 teams in my final power rankings that weren’t in my preseason top 15: Stanford (#4); Texas A&M (#5); Kansas State (#8); Clemson (#10); Notre Dame (#12); and Oregon State (#14). 

Appearance Tracker

6 teams made it into all 17 sets of my power rankings (LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, and Florida State). That number was down slightly from 7 last year. 

South Carolina was included in 16 of 17 editions and Florida made it into 15 of 17 sets. 

2 teams were in 14 of 17 editions (Kansas State and Notre Dame). 

Clemson was in 13 editions; USC was in 12; Stanford was in 11; Oregon State was in 10; and Ohio State was in 9 of 17 sets of my power rankings. 

2 teams were in 8 of my 17 sets of power rankings (Texas and West Virginia), while Texas A&M made it into 7 editions. 

Texas Tech was in 3 of 17 editions. 

5 different teams were included in 2 of 17 editions (Arkansas, Nebraska, Michigan State, UCLA, and Mississippi State). 

Finally, 3 teams made it into just 1 of 17 editions (Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Arizona). 

Position Tracker

Only 3 teams held the #1 spot in my rankings at any point this season (Alabama x 15; LSU x 1; Oregon x 1). LSU was the #1 team in my preseason power rankings. Alabama held the top spot for the next 10 weeks. Oregon grabbed the #1 ranking in week 11 but Bama reclaimed the top spot in week 12 and held it over the final 5 sets. Bama was my #1 team in 15 of the 16 editions after the preseason. Last season only Bama and LSU had been #1 in my rankings at any point (Bama for 9, LSU for 8). 

5 teams held the #2 spot in my rankings at some point this season (Oregon x 12; LSU x 2; Alabama x 1; USC x 1; Kansas State x1). Last year only 3 teams had ever been #2 at any point (Bama x 8; LSU x 5; Oklahoma x 4). 

Amazingly, 9 different teams held the #3 spot in my rankings in at least 1 edition this season (Kansas State x 6; USC x 2; LSU x 2; South Carolina x 2; Oregon x 1; Florida State x 1; Florida x 1; Alabama x 1; Georgia x 1). Last year only 5 teams had been #3 at any point. 

9 different teams were also #4 in my rankings for at least 1 edition (LSU x 4; Georgia x 3; Oklahoma x 2; Ohio State x 2; Florida x 2; Florida State x 1; Kansas State x 1; Notre Dame x 1; Stanford x 1). This was up from 5 teams last year. 

8 teams were ranked #5 at some point this year (Georgia x 5; LSU x 4; Oregon x 3; Texas x 1; West Virginia x 1; Kansas State x 1; Oklahoma x 1; Texas A&M x 1). 

9 teams were ranked #6 in at least 1 edition this year (Stanford x 4; Oklahoma x 3; Texas x 2; South Carolina x 2; Florida x 2; Florida State x 1; Notre Dame x 1; Texas A&M x 1; LSU x 1). This was up dramatically from last year when only 3 teams were #6 at any point all year. 

7 teams were ranked #7 at some point (Texas A&M x 4; South Carolina x 4; Texas x 3; LSU x 2; Georgia x 2; Ohio State x 1; Kansas State x 1). This was up slightly from 6 last year. 

9 teams were #8 in 1 or more editions (South Carolina x 5; Stanford x 3; USC x 2; Florida State x 2; Georgia x 1; Texas x 1; Notre Dame x 1; Florida x 1; Kansas State x 1). There were also 9 teams at #8 last year. 

8 teams were in the #9 spot at some point this year (Florida x 7; Georgia x 2; USC x 2; Stanford x 2; LSU x 1; West Virginia x 1; Oregon State x 1; Notre Dame x 1). This was actually down from 9 teams at #9 last year. 

10 teams were #10 for at least 1 edition (Notre Dame x 4; Oregon State x 4; Florida State x 2; Arkansas x 1; West Virginia x 1; South Carolina x 1; Florida x 1; Kansas State x 1; Ohio State x 1; Clemson x 1). The number was 9 last year. 

11 teams were #11 for at least 1 set (Oregon State x 3; Oklahoma x 3; USC x 2; Notre Dame x 2; Arkansas x 1; West Virginia x 1; Clemson x 1; Florida x 1; Kansas State x 1; Stanford x 1; Florida State x 1). This matched last year’s number. 

Just 8 teams were #12 at any point this year (Florida State x 7; West Virginia x 2; Oklahoma x 2; Notre Dame x 2; Nebraska x 1; Michigan State x 1; Georgia x 1; Texas Tech x 1). That number was way down from 11 last year. 

#13 was the most chaotic spot this season with 12 different teams claiming it for at least 1 week (Clemson x 4; Notre Dame x 2; Florida State x 2; Michigan x 1; Oklahoma State x 1; South Carolina x 1; Oregon State x 1; Oklahoma x 1; Texas Tech x 1; USC x 1; Texas A&M x 1; Ohio State x 1). By comparison, 9 different teams filled the #13 spot at some point last year. 

11 teams were #14 at some point (Ohio State x 4; West Virginia x 2; USC x 2; UCLA x 2; Nebraska x 1; Clemson x 1; Kansas State x 1; Georgia x 1; Mississippi State x 1; Texas Tech x 1; Oregon State x 1). This was up from 9 last year. 

Finally, only 8 teams held the #15 spot in my rankings at any point this season (Clemson x 6; Oklahoma x 5; South Carolina x 1; Michigan State x 1; Mississippi State x 1; Arizona x 1; Texas x 1; Georgia x 1). This was down from 10 teams last year. 

Team Overviews

LSU

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#1 x 1; #2 x 2; #3 x 2; #4 x 4; #5 x 4; #6 x 1; #7 x 2; #9 x 1)

Preseason: #1

Final: #7

Peak: #1 (P)

Nadir: #9 (W6) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
1	3	2	2	3	4	9	7	6	5	4	4	4	5	5	5	7

LSU opened at #1 in my preseason rankings and that would be their peak. It was their only edition at #1, as they fell to #3 the next week. They were in the top 9 in my rankings all year. They were in the top 4 in the first 6 editions. They took their biggest fall in week 6 when they fell from #4 to #9. That was their low point. They got back in the top 5 in week 9 and they remained in the top 5 for 7 straight weeks before ending the season at #7.

Alabama

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#1 x 15; #2 x 1; #3 x 1)

Preseason: #2

Final: #1

Peak: #1 (W1-W10; W12-F)

Nadir: #3 (W11) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	3	1	1	1	1	1

Alabama opened the season at #2 in my preseason rankings and they moved to #1 the next week. They remained #1 for 10 straight weeks before falling to #3 in week 12. That would be their lowest rank. They moved back to #1 for good the following week, finishing the season ranked #1 in the last 5 editions. Bama was in the top 3 in my rankings all season.

Oklahoma

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#4 x 2; #5 x 1; #6 x 3; #11 x 3; #12 x 2; #13 x 1; #15 x 5)

Preseason: #4

Final: #15

Peak: #4 (P; W3)

Nadir: #15 (W12-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
4	6	6	4	12	11	13	6	5	11	11	12	15	15	15	15	15

Oklahoma was #4 in my preseason rankings and they were in the top 6 over the first 4 editions before plummeting from #4 to #12 in week 4. They got back into the top 6 in week 7 but in week 9 they fell from #5 to #11. In week 12 they dropped all the way to #15 and they remained in the final spot in the top 15 over the final 5 editions. They began the year at their highest position (#4) and finished it in their worst position (#15). 

Oregon

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#1 x 1; #2 x 12; #3 x 1; #5 x 3)

Preseason: #5

Final: #2

Peak: #1 (W11)

Nadir: #5 (P-W2) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
5	5	5	3	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	2	2	2

Oregon was #5 in my preseason rankings and they remained in my top 5 for the entire year. They jumped to #3 in week 3 and then to #2 in week 4. They were in the top 2 in my power rankings for the final 13 editions. After 7 straight weeks at #2, Oregon reached the top spot in my rankings in week 11, but they dropped back to #2 in week 12 and stayed in the #2 spot for the final 5 editions.

Georgia  

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#3 x 1; #4 x 3; #5 x 5; #7 x 2; #8 x 1; #9 x 2; #12 x 1; #14 x 1; #15 x 1)

Preseason: #8

Final: #3

Peak: #3 (F)

Nadir: #15 (W8) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
8	9	9	7	5	5	14	12	15	7	5	5	5	4	4	4	3

After starting the year at #8 in my preseason rankings, Georgia moved into the top 5 in week 4, but in week 6 they dropped from #5 to #14. In week 8 they slipped to #15, but they jumped all the way to #7 in week 9 and then back into the top 5 in week 10. They remained in the top 5 over the final 7 editions, finishing at #3 in the final edition, their highest ranking of the year.

Florida State  

Ranked in 17 of 17 editions (#3 x 1; #4 x 1; #6 x 1; #8 x 2; #10 x 2; #11 x 1; #12 x 7; #13 x 2)

Preseason: #10

Final: #11

Peak: #3 (W5)

Nadir: #13 (W8; W11) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
10	8	8	6	4	3	12	10	13	12	12	13	12	12	12	12	11

Florida State began the season at #10 in my preseason rankings and they moved steadily up the rankings, eventually reaching #3 in week 5. That would be their peak position of the season, and in week 6 they dropped from #3 to #12. They got back in the top 10 in week 7 but in week 8 they dropped from #10 to #13 and they would be outside the top 10 the rest of the way. They were never worse than #13 and they wound up at #11. They were in the #10-#13 range in 12 of 17 editions, including the final 11.

South Carolina

Ranked in 16 of 17 editions (#3 x 2; #6 x 2; #7 x 4; #8 x 5; #10 x 1; #13 x 1; #15 x 1)

Preseason: #15

Final: #6

Peak: #3 (W6-W7)

Nadir: NR (W1) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
15	N	13	10	7	6	3	3	7	8	7	7	8	8	8	8	6

South Carolina held the final spot in my preseason rankings but they dropped out of the top 15 in week 1. They climbed back into the rankings at #13 in week 2 and they remained in my rankings over the final 15 editions. They moved to #10 in week 3 and would remain in the top 10 over the final 14 editions. South Carolina reached #3 in week 6, which would be their peak position. In week 8 they fell from #3 to #7 and they would remain out of the top 5 over the final 9 editions, finishing at #6.

Florida

Ranked in 15 of 17 editions (#3 x 1; #4 x 2; #6 x 2; #8 x 1; #9 x 7; #10 x 1; #11 x 1)

Preseason: #9

Final: #9

Peak: #3 (W8)

Nadir: NR (W1-W2) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
9	N	N	11	10	9	4	4	3	6	6	8	9	9	9	9	9

Florida was #9 in my preseason rankings but they fell out of the top 15 in week 1. In week 3 they climbed back into the rankings at #11 and they remained in my power rankings over the final 14 editions. Florida got back to #9 in week 5 and then in week 6 they jumped to #4. They reached their peak at #3 in week 8 before dropping to #6 in week 9. They ended up at #9 in the final edition. Florida was in the top 10 in my rankings in 14 of 17 editions, including the final 13.

Kansas State  

Ranked in 14 of 17 editions (#2 x 1; #3 x 6; #4 x 1; #5 x 1; #7 x 1; #8 x 1; #10 x 1; #11 x 1; #14 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: #8

Peak: #2 (W11)

Nadir: NR (P-W1; W3) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	14	N	11	10	7	5	4	3	3	2	3	3	3	3	8

Kansas State was not included in my preseason rankings. They first appeared in the power rankings in week 2 at #14 but they fell back out in week 3. However, in week 4 they climbed back in at #11 and they would remain in the power rankings over the final 13 editions. They moved to #10 in week 5 and they were in the top 10 for the final 12 editions. Kansas State moved steadily up the rankings, eventually reaching their peak position at #2 in week 11. They fell back to #3 in week 12 and finished the season at #8. Kansas State was in my top 5 for 9 straight editions before dropping from #3 to #8 in the final edition.

Notre Dame

Ranked in 14 of 17 editions (#4 x 11; #6 x 1; #8 x 1; #9 x 1; #10 x 4; #11 x 2; #12 x 2; #13 x 2)

Preseason: NR

Final: #12

Peak: #4 (W9)

Nadir: NR (P-W2) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	13	13	12	6	8	10	4	9	11	11	10	10	10	12

Notre Dame was not in my preseason rankings. They jumped into the top 15 at #13 in week 3 and they would stay in the power rankings for the final 14 editions. They reached their peak position in week 9, jumping from #10 to #4, but they fell back to #9 in week 10. They finished the year at #12.

Clemson

Ranked in 13 of 17 editions (#10 x 1; #11 x 1; #13 x 4; #14 x 1; #15 x 6)

Preseason: NR

Final: #10

Peak: #10 (F)

Nadir: NR (P; W3; W7-W8) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	14	11	N	15	15	15	N	N	15	15	15	13	13	13	13	10

Clemson was unranked in my preseason power rankings but they debuted at #14 in week 1 and then moved to #11 in week 2. They fell back out of the rankings in week 3 before getting back in the power rankings at #15 in week 4. After 3 weeks in the final spot, Clemson fell back out of the rankings week 7. They reclaimed the #15 spot again in week 9 and would stay in the power rankings for the final 8 editions, finishing at #10, their best ranking of the season.

USC

Ranked in 12 of 17 editions (#2 x 1; #3 x 2; #8 x 2; #9 x 2; #11 x 2; #13 x 1; #14 x 2)

Preseason: #3

Final: NR

Peak: #2 (W1)

Nadir: NR (W12-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
3	2	3	9	9	8	11	11	8	13	14	14	N	N	N	N	N

USC was ranked #3 in my preseason power rankings. The expectations that led me to rank USC behind only LSU and Bama in my preseason rankings would also lead me to keep USC in my power rankings longer than they I probably should have. USC moved up to #2 in week 1 and that would be their peak position. They fell back to #3 in week 2 and then dropped all the way to #9 in week 3. In week 9 they dropped from #8 to #13 but they would stay in my rankings for a few more weeks. They finally fell out of the rankings from #14 in week 12 and they would be out of my power rankings the rest of the way. USC was included in the first 12 editions of my power rankings but was out of the top 15 over the final 5 editions.

Stanford  

Ranked in 11 of 17 editions (#4 x 1; #6 x 4; #8 x 3; #9 x 2; #11 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: #4

Peak: #4 (F)

Nadir: NR (P-W2; W5-W7) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	8	8	N	N	N	11	9	8	9	6	6	6	6	4

Stanford was not included in my preseason power rankings. They debuted in my top 15 at #8 in week 3 but in week 5 they fell back out of the rankings from #8. In week 8 they moved back into the rankings at #11 and would stay in the rankings over the final 9 editions. Stanford moved to #9 in week 9 and they were in the top 9 in the rankings over the final 8 editions. They finished the year at #4, their best position of the season.

Oregon State  

Ranked in 10 of 17 editions (#9 x 1; #10 x 4; #11 x 3; #13 x 1; #14 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: #14

Peak: #9 (W8)

Nadir: NR (P-W4; W6-W7) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	N	N	13	N	N	9	10	10	10	10	11	11	11	14

Oregon State did not make their first appearance in my power rankings until week 5 when they came in at #13. They fell back out in week 6. In week 8 they climbed back into the top 15 at #9 in week 8 and they would be in my power rankings for the final 9 editions. However, #9 would be their peak position. They finished the year at #14.

Ohio State

Ranked in 9 of 17 editions (#4 x 2; #7 x 1; #10 x 1; #13 x 1; #14 x 4)

Preseason: #7

Final: #13

Peak: #4 (W1-W2)

Nadir: NR (W3-W5; W8-W12) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
7	4	4	N	N	N	10	14	N	N	N	N	N	14	14	14	13

Ohio State was one of only 2 teams to fall out of my rankings twice and still finish in the top 15 (Clemson the other). They were #7 in my preseason rankings and moved to #4 in week 1. That would be their peak position. In week 3 they fell all the way out of the rankings from #4. They stayed out until week 6 when they climbed back in at #10. They dropped to week #14 in week 7 and then fell out of the rankings again in week 8. This time they were out until week 13, moving back into the power rankings for good at #14. They were in the top 15 over the final 4 editions and ended up at #13.

Texas

Ranked in 8 of 17 editions (#5 x 1; #6 x 2; #7 x 3; #8 x 1; #15 x 1)

Preseason: #6

Final: NR

Peak: #5 (W3)

Nadir: NR (W8-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
6	7	7	5	6	7	8	15	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Texas was #6 in my preseason power rankings and they reached their peak position at #5 in week 3. They moved back to #6 in week 4 and then in week 7 they plummeted all the way to #15. In week 8 they fell out of the rankings and they would not appear in the top 15 again. Texas was included in the first 8 editions of the power rankings but was missing from the final 9.

West Virginia

Ranked in 8 of 17 editions (#5 x 1; #9 x 1; #10 x 1; #11 x 1; #12 x 2; #14 x 2)

Preseason: #12

Final: NR

Peak: #5 (W6)

Nadir: NR (W8-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
12	11	10	12	14	14	5	9	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

West Virginia was #12 in my preseason rankings and in week 6 they shot from #14 to #5. That would be their high point of the season. They slid back to #9 in week 7 and then fell out of the rankings for good in week 8. Just like Texas, West Virginia was included in the first 8 editions of my rankings but was absent from the final 9.

Texas A&M

Ranked in 7 of 17 editions (#5 x 1; #6 x 1; #7 x 4; #13 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: #5

Peak: #5 (F)

Nadir: NR (P-W9) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	13	6	7	7	7	7	5

Texas A&M began the year unranked in my preseason power rankings. In fact, of the teams that ended up ranked in my final top 15, A&M made by far the latest debut. They did not appear in my power rankings until week 10 when they debuted at #13. They leapt to #6 in week 11 and would finish at #5, their highest rank of the year. Texas A&M was ranked in the final 7 editions of my power rankings after being left out of the first 10. 

Texas Tech

Ranked in 3 of 17 editions (#12 x 1; #13 x 1; #14 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #12 (W8)

Nadir: NR (P-W6; W10-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	N	N	N	N	13	12	14	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Texas Tech made a short-lived midseason run that made their stay in my rankings unlike the rest of the teams that appeared in my top 15 this year. They were unranked in my preseason power rankings. In week 7 they debuted at #13. They reached their peak in week 8 at #12 and then fell to #14 in week 9. They dropped out of the rankings from #14 in week 10 and would remain out of the top 15 the rest of the way. After being unranked in the first 7 editions of my power rankings Texas Tech spent 3 straight weeks in the top 15 before being unranked in the final 7 editions.

Arkansas

Ranked in 2 of 17 editions (#10 x 1; #11 x 1)

Preseason: #10

Final: NR

Peak: #10 (W1)

Nadir: NR (W2-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
11	10	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Arkansas was the only team in my preseason top 15 that ended up being a complete and total bust. They started off #11 in my preseason power rankings and moved up to #10 in week 1. That would be their high point. They fell all the way out of the rankings in week 2 and would remain out of the top 15 the rest of the way.

Nebraska

Ranked in 2 of 17 editions (#12 x 1; #14 x 1)

Preseason: #14

Final: NR

Peak: #12 (W1)

Nadir: NR (W2-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
14	12	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Nebraska was #14 in my preseason rankings. They moved up to #12 in week 1, and that would be their peak position, as they fell out of the rankings for good in week 2.

Michigan State

Ranked in 2 of 17 editions (#12 x 1; #15 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #12 (W2)

Nadir: NR (P; W3-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	15	12	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

After being left out of my preseason power rankings, Michigan State debuted at #15 in week 1. They reached their peak in week 2 at #12. They dropped out of the rankings for good in week 3.

UCLA

Ranked in 2 of 17 editions (#14 x 2)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #14 (W3; W12)

Nadir: NR (P-W2; W4-W11; W13-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	N	14	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	14	N	N	N	N

UCLA had a strange year in my rankings. They were unranked in the preseason rankings and did not appear in the top 15 until week 3 when they debuted at #14. They fell out of the rankings in week 4 and didn’t move back into the rankings again until week 12, again coming in at #14. They dropped out again in week 13 and they would remain out of the top 15 the rest of the way. So, they were unranked in the first 3 editions of my rankings; spent 1 week at #14; missed the next 8 editions; spent another week at #14; and missed the final 4 editions. 

Mississippi State  

Ranked in 2 of 17 editions (#14 x 1; #15 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #14 (W8)

Nadir: NR (P-W1; W3-W7; W9-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	N	15	N	N	N	N	N	14	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Mississippi State’s experience in my rankings this year was similar to UCLA’s. Mississippi State was unranked in my preseason power rankings. They debuted in my rankings at #15 in week 2 and then dropped back out in week 3. They moved back into the rankings at #14 in week 8. That was their highest ranking of the year, as they fell right back out of the power rankings in week 9. They would remain out of the top 15 over the final 8 editions. 

Michigan

Ranked in 1 of 17 editions (#13 x 1)

Preseason: #13

Final: NR

Peak: #13 (P)

Nadir: NR (W1-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
13	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Michigan’s high point of the season was their #13 ranking in my preseason top 15. They dropped out of the rankings in week 1 and did not reappear.

Oklahoma State

Ranked in 1 of 17 editions (#13 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #13 (W1)

Nadir: NR (P; W2-F) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	13	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Oklahoma State was unranked in my preseason top 15. They debuted in week 1 at #13. That would be their high mark, as they fell out of the rankings for good in week 2.

Arizona

Ranked in 1 of 17 editions (#15 x 1)

Preseason: NR

Final: NR

Peak: #15 (W3)

Nadir: NR (P-W2; W4-W17) 

P	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	F
N	NR	N	15	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Arizona was not included in my preseason top 15. They debuted in the power rankings at #15 in week 3. That would be their peak. They dropped out of the rankings for good in week 4.