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Dave Congrove's proprietary algorithm forms the basis of the Congrove Computer Rankings on CollegeFootballPoll.com, but he also has his own idea of how the teams should be ranked.
He typically gets to share his opinion as a regular voter in the FWAA Super 16 Poll, but that poll is currently on hiatus. Thus, here is Congrove's personal top ten.
Note: The list below is in order of Congrove's own rankings, with the ranking of his computer formula in parenthesis:
1) Clemson (2)
2) Alabama (1)
3) Oklahoma (4)
4) Notre Dame (5)
5) Texas A&M (6)
6) Georgia (9)
7) Oklahoma State (12)
8) Tennessee (10)
9) LSU (3)
10) Virginia Tech (7)
...who should be number one right now:
"You can flip Alabama/Clemson, if you want. Bottom line, I think they enter this odd season as co-favorites to win the national title. I give Clemson the edge because of Trevor Lawrence at QB which gives the Tigers the edge over Mac Jones and the Crimson Tide. Possibly standing in the way of Clemson winning another ACC title are Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. The Tigers have to visit both schools in the final 3 weeks of the season."
... why LSU is projected by his computer rankings to be in the national title, but he personally ranks Ed Orgeron's team at No. 9:
"LSU lost 14 starters to the NFL draft, including five in the first round. And now four players (at last count), including top returning receiver Ja'Marr Chase, have opted not to play the season. QB Joe Burrow had an unbelievable season that will not be replicated. Overall, just too much talent lost to even get back to the final four. I wouldn't be shocked if that team loses 4 games - home to Alabama, and road trips to Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M. The other 6 games are virtually locks for a win."
... Oklahoma:
"Running back Kennedy Brooks has opted out and that's a big loss. I wouldn't make too big of a deal about having to replace Jalen Hurts. After all, two different Sooner QB's - Baker Mayfield and Kyle Murray - won the Heisman back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, and Hurts finished 2nd a year ago. Spencer Rattler is a true freshman so, if I'm not mistaken, he'll be the first Oklahoma QB who wasn't a transfer since Trevor Knight in 2014. I do think this year's Big 12 race will come down to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, but Texas has an honest shot with Sam Ehlinger back under center."
... Notre Dame
"The Irish are playing a full ACC schedule and competing for that conference's championship. Ian Book is back at QB so that alone raises their chances. I think you can arguably say Book is the most athletic QB in Notre Dame history. His numbers last year were spectacular and he's smart. He only threw 6 INT's against 34 TD's while passing for 3,034 yards, plus he ran for 546 and 4 more TD's. Insanely good. They have a strong shot at getting to the NC, especially since they get Clemson at home. I don't see a game Notre Dame should realistically lose out of the first seven, but keep in mind that home games with FSU and Louisville are in that mix, along with a visit to Pitt. Game 8 is the one everyone has circled right now. That's when Clemson heads to South Bend and if the Irish win that one, they just have to make sure they don't stub their toe at North Carolina two weeks later."