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These are the computer's Projected Final Rankings for the end of the regular season. They do not include the ACC, Big 12, CUSA, MAC and SEC Championship games or Bowl Games. These are NOT presented in order of team power. They reflect a combination of team power and W-L record.
College Football Poll.com's unique preseason forecast is based on the Congrove Computer Rankings which "plays" every game and projects what should happen based on a number of factors that include each teams' returning talent and difficulty of schedule.
Since its inception in 1993, the computer's preseason projections have correctly pegged the exact national title match-up three times (1993, 1998, 2005), and at least one national title contestant 11 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007). The team it picked to win the title has played in the title game seven times (1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005), and won the title three times (1993, 1998, 1999).
This year, the computer gives undefeated regular season records to six teams with USC, Utah, Alabama and Michigan State joining Florida and Oklahoma. That many teams do not typically manage to escape a season unscathed, though it is a fairly common number to see in a preseason mathematical assessment. Every single game is "played" by the computer, so the wins and losses are reconciled across the board.
In 2004, the computer correctly projected that USC, Oklahoma, Boise State and Utah would finish the regular season without a blemish. Auburn also ran the table that year.
Given the fact that each team only plays about 10% of the 120-team field, the argument could be made that multiple teams should go undefeated each and every season. However, math can not predict which teams will succumb to pressure, make too many mistakes, take the huge underdog opponent lightly, lose key players to injuries, or encounter bad luck.
That's why no one can claim a trophy until the games are played and won.
About the computer.
Click on the School link to see projected game-by-game results.
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