...and weighted "tradition associated with name brands" way less than many people. My metric include factors completely ignored by most, such a geographical advantages that come with home address. Playing CFB north if the Mason Dixon lines past the third week of October can come with weather hardships that the deep south rarely faces mid season.

The North-South axis of the ACC means weather for all and longer road trips than the SEC. The time zone span for the MWC is an issue. How often are programs tested ITR, and OOC OTR? We assume Alabama would beat Colorado at altitude in Denver, but Georgia took its #1 ranking to Boulder and won the game on the last play controversial TD. The Buffs were 1-11 that year.

I think SEC teams not named Alabama, Florida aTm and maybe Georgia are way overrated this year. One problem is that many people rank programs (i.e traditions, fan base, TV popularity, name recognition, facilities, and hype) as much as the actual 85 scholarship players and staff. In other words, is the team being ranked or the program. I rank the teams. Teams run the plays, make the throws, tackles, catches, scores and points, not the crazy dudes with painted skin on the front row of the cheering section spelling out the name FLRODAI (admittedly a beer induced spelling)

So for me I look also at the quality of play, the technical perfection. I replay games, watch hand and foot play in the trenches, look at technical coaching of receivers and backs, tacking angle mistakes, etc. The thing is most obvious to me about BYU and Cincinnati, is they are really good football teams, excellent technical teams, well coached and well taught. Only Alabama and maybe Notre Dame seem as complete to me. Clemson is close. Ohio State is a "program rank" meaning the team is good, but Buckey and friends, boosters, facilities, tradition and 10 straight wins over Michigan are getting points. The team this year has numerous weaknesses. I give BYU a slight edge over Cincy on offense.

Last thing I look at us who would defeat or draw to a tie at EOR on a neutral field? For me that puts BYU around #4-6. But I also look at matchups. I don't like BYU in a matchup vs. Washington or UCLA, but do against USC, Utah, Stanford and Oregon. I like BYU vs the entire B12 except OU right now. I like BYU vs every team in the SEC except Alabama and maybe Florida. Nobody in the B1G or ACC is better than BYU except possibly Notre Dame and Clemson. Miami would be a tough out too.