How do the different polls work for NCAA football rankings?

Question

AP Top 25, BCS, coaches poll...the difference between them, how they work, etc...as much information as possible please.

Answer 1

AP Poll is the Associated Press. Writers of college football who are members of the AP and have met certain criteria are eligible to vote. It counts for 1/3 of BCS tally.

Harris Poll is a group of fomer players, coaches, writers, businessmen, others who were nominated because they might know something about football begin voting in about the 5th week. Their poll counts for 1/3 of the BCS tally.

Computer averages. There are six computer gurus who have assigned formulas and their computers will generate a ranking of all teams. Theses tally's are all taken together (with the high and low score dropped) and they account for 1/3 of the BCS tally. Each computer has a slightly different formula. Each computer accounts for strength of schedule. Some give more credit to a road win or a win against a winning team. Winning margin is no longer considered in the computer polls.

The BCS (Bowl Championship Ranking) is revealed for the first time after the 8th week. It is based on the three polls (AP, Harris, and the computer rankings). The score will come out as a percentage of total points possible. Highest percentage is first.

USA Today poll is not used in any BCS calculation. The USA Today poll is conducted by current head coaches (or their administrator/designee)--i.e. folks who actually do know the game and teams.

Answer 2

Former history major should go back and study history.

The AP poll is not part of the BCS rankings; the USA Today poll is. The sportswriters decided a couple of years ago to pull their poll out of the BCS. Maybe they didn't want their poll trashed by the worst system ever designed to decide a champion.

Answer 3

he sportswriters decided a couple of years ago to pull their poll out of the BCS. Maybe they didn't want their poll trashed by the worst system ever designed to decide a champion.