Big 12 AP Poll voters plagued by “anchoring bias” as BYU stays outside rankings
Some Big 12 writers get BYU in their Top 25 ballots, but most fall into “anchoring bias,” propping up preseason-overrated teams that haven’t looked the part on the field.
The idea of having a large mix of AP Poll voters is to balance viewpoints nationwide when forming rankings. Writers come from different regions, leagues, and teams to minimize local favoritism. Still, mistakes happen, especially through “anchoring,” where teams given inflated preseason rankings are held in place despite lackluster results.
In the preseason AP Poll, BYU landed essentially 26th with the most votes among unranked squads. That slight was aimed at a Cougar team that went 11-2 last season and closed out ranked 13th.
Fast forward to now: BYU has blasted Portland State and Stanford by a combined 96-3. Yet instead of climbing, the Cougars somehow slipped to 27th. They should be ranked, but many voters—Big 12 writers included—cling to “anchoring bias,” tossing votes to Arizona State, SMU, and Florida.
Here’s how AP Poll voters covering the Big 12 evaluated (or ignored) the Cougars while supposedly tracking the league closely.
Spencer Ripchick, West Virginia
BYU: Not ranked
Most questionable: Arizona State at No. 25. The Sun Devils scraped by Northern Arizona in Week 1, up only 24-13 late in the third quarter. In Week 2 they fell to Mississippi State, an SEC squad with a dreadful 1-15 league mark over the past two years.
Ripchick elevating ASU into the Top 25 highlights “anchoring,” keeping a weak program higher because of preseason positioning.
Brian Howell, Colorado
BYU: Not ranked
Most questionable: Florida at No. 22. The Gators opened No. 15 and crushed Long Island 55-0 in Week 1, still not as commanding as BYU’s 69-0 thrashing of Portland State. Then in Week 2 they lost at home to South Florida, a program with zero preseason votes.
Yet Florida stays at 22 while BYU sits outside.
Matt Murschel, UCF
BYU: Not ranked
Most questionable: Arizona State at No. 24 (see above) and Baylor at No. 25. Murschel keeps a Big 12 team in the mix, but Baylor lost by 14 at home to unranked Auburn in Week 1 before barely sneaking past SMU in overtime in Week 2.
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas
BYU: Ranked No. 24
Credit to Kerkhoff for recognizing the Cougars as Top 25 worthy. Nothing more to add.
Josh Furlong, Utah
BYU: Ranked No. 24
Props to Furlong for backing BYU in the Top 25. Covering Utah, his take may ruffle feathers, but it’s fair.
Henry Greenstein, Kansas
BYU: Not ranked
Most questionable: SMU at No. 18 is absurd. The Mustangs opened 16th, beat East Texas A&M 42-13, then lost at home to Baylor. SMU in the Top 20 while BYU sits out is baffling.
Most questionable: TCU at No. 17.
Despite only four total AP votes this week, Johnson slots his local Horned Frogs at 17. TCU did crush a flawed UNC team 48-14, but most voters remain cautious. Johnson, however, fuels the hype. His fanbase surely approves.
Devean Deal
Most questionable: TCU at No. 20 and Arizona State at No. 25. Already discussed above, but at least Deal sprinkled votes on Big 12 teams.
Brett McMurphy, Oklahoma State
BYU: Not ranked
Most questionable: Utah at No. 11. Not to knock BYU’s rival, but Utah’s ranking raises eyebrows. That said, the Utes look elite defensively, and quarterback Devon Dampier is proving himself. They could very well win the league.
Still, their résumé mirrors BYU’s: both smashed an FCS opponent and dominated a weak Power Four program. Utah handled Cal Poly 63-9 and UCLA 43-10. BYU blanked Portland State 69-0 and crushed Stanford 27-3.
Yet Utah flirts with the Top 10 while BYU goes unranked? Makes no sense, Brett.
