Preseason Prediction Accuracy (2011-2020)

See "notes" following the table for more information on its contents.

Magazine	Rank	Total Score	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011
Phil Steele	1	1,384.1	160.1	121.5	126.5	158.5	148	131	134.5	119	137	148
Athlon	2	1,412.4	183.4	127	109	146	137	133	151	138	134	154
Lindy's	3	1,447.1	187.1	127	120	157	148	141	145	132	139	151
compughterratings.com	4	1,502.5	191	140	129.5	159.5	154.5	157	149	135	141	146
Street & Smith / The Sporting News	5	1,526.7	181.7	134	119	178	147	153	151	148	141	174
CollegeFootballPoll.com	6	1,575	196	127	131	162.5	150	161.5	175	125	168	179

This page shows the accuracy of preseason magazines' conference predictions for the ten-year span 2011-2020 ("the last ten years" going into the 2021 season). In order to qualify for either table, a magazine must have been published for every year used in that table.

There is also a "2018-2020 (last three years)" 0able and a "2016-2020 (last five years)" table.

Tables with more years have the advantage of having a larger sample of data: a single unusually lucky or unlucky year has less impact on the standings. However, tables with fewer years have the advantage of including more magazines: several of the magazines available today were not published if one goes back far enough.

Notes:

Lower scores are "better." The lower the score, the closer the magazine's predictions were to the actual results.
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See the notes file for further information on the scoring process.