Table Legend

Rewards standings before and after the bowl games.

Commentary: The Rewards system thought more highly of #3 Michigan State (one loss) than #2 Auburn (two losses), but matched the top 5, 10 and 15 fairly well. The only teams that were further than 3 from the ranking in the final polls were CentralFlorida and OhioState: Rewards had the Buckeyes as #16, versus #12 in the AP poll, and tied for 10th in the coaches' poll. (OSU's only strong win was over #22/#21 Wisconsin, who was #30 according to the Rewards system.) Duke had four losses, like Wisconsin, and was the only other team in the top 25 that was more than 3 from where the polls placed them: the Blue Devils were #23 in the AP, and #22 in the coaches' poll, but #29 in the final Rewards ranking.

Central Florida, who defeated Baylor (#13, #12) 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl, was #5 according to the Rewards system, but #12 in the coaches' poll, and #10 in the AP. Rewards recognized their win over PennState, and their only (3 point) loss was on the road at #4 South Carolina. However, since margin of victory is ignored by the Rewards ranking approach, UCF's close games, to lesser opponents in the newly formed American Athletic conference (previously the Big East), didn't impact their final rating - unlike those casting their votes in both polls.