11-13-2016, 07:38 PM
Stanford (and Pac-12 teams in general) will generally fare better in computer models than in human voting because the statistical analyses put much more weight on strength of schedule. 6 of the top 22 teams in the computer consensus are Pac-12 teams.
One factor that also helps Stanford in the computer rankings is its dominant win over USC (which is #9). The computers don't distinguish between the early season version which Stanford played and the current version which is on a roll and just beat UW. In the computers' eyes that is Stanford's signature win of the season, but human voters may be correct in giving that game less weight since USC was still in disarray at that point and Darnold had yet to be appointed as the starter.
One factor that also helps Stanford in the computer rankings is its dominant win over USC (which is #9). The computers don't distinguish between the early season version which Stanford played and the current version which is on a roll and just beat UW. In the computers' eyes that is Stanford's signature win of the season, but human voters may be correct in giving that game less weight since USC was still in disarray at that point and Darnold had yet to be appointed as the starter.