As the 2024 college football season concluded, the final Coaches Poll rankings garnered significant attention, particularly the individual ballots cast by prominent coaches.Among these, Georgia’s head coach, Kirby Smart, offered a ballot that both reflected his perspectives on the season and sparked discussions within the football community.
Kirby Smart ranked the top teams as follows:
- Ohio State
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Texas
- Penn State
- Tennessee
- Ole Miss
- Boise State
- Indiana
- Arizona State
- Alabama
- South Carolina
- Clemson
- SMU
- **Miami (FL)**
- BYU
- Army
- Iowa State
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Colorado
- Memphis
- UNLV
- Syracuse
Smart’s decision to place Georgia at No. 4, ahead of Texas and Penn State, reflects his confidence in his team’s performance throughout the season.This ranking is particularly notable given that the final Coaches Poll placed Georgia at No. 6, behind Texas and Penn State.
By positioning Ohio State and Notre Dame as the top two teams, Smart acknowledges their impressive seasons, culminating in their appearance in the national championship game, where Ohio State secured a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame.
The inclusion of teams like Boise State (No. 9) and Indiana (No. 10) in his top ten indicates Smart’s recognition of programs that may have exceeded expectations or demonstrated significant progress during the season.
When compared to the consensus final Coaches Poll, Smart’s ballot presents some deviations.For instance, while the Coaches Poll ranked Texas at No. 3 and Oregon at No. 4, Smart placed Oregon at No. 3 and Texas at No. 5.Additionally, his ranking of Alabama at No. 12 is lower than in some other polls, suggesting a critical assessment of the Crimson Tide’s season.
It’s also noteworthy that five coaches omitted Alabama from their top 25 ballots entirely, highlighting varying perceptions of the team’s performance across the coaching community.
Coaches’ ballots often provide a window into their evaluative criteria, biases, and the weight they assign to various aspects of team performance, such as strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships.Smart’s ballot underscores his respect for teams that have demonstrated resilience and achieved notable victories, while also reflecting a degree of loyalty and belief in his own program’s standing.
The release of individual ballots, including Smart’s, contributes to broader discussions about the subjective nature of rankings in college football. These rankings can influence perceptions, bowl selections, and even recruiting dynamics.As such, understanding the rationale behind a coach’s rankings offers valuable insights into the complexities of college football evaluations.
In conclusion, Kirby Smart’s end-of-year Coaches Poll ballot provides a thoughtful perspective on the 2024 season, highlighting his assessments of both his own team and the broader landscape of college football.While subjective, such ballots play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and future direction of the sport.