Scott Van Pelt criticizes preseason CFB rankings on his podcast
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 11, 2026, 3:38 PM
Last updated Aug 11, 2026

Scott Van Pelt expressed his concerns regarding the value of preseason college football rankings during a recent podcast episode. He highlighted that rankings often reflect assumptions rather than current realities, particularly in an era characterized by player movement through the NIL and transfer portal. Van Pelt pointed to last season's performance of teams like Indiana, which started at No. 20 but ended unranked after a disappointing year. His main contention is that preseason rankings are primarily promotional tools for networks rather than accurate assessments of team strength. As the college football season approaches, he urges listeners to consider the inherent uncertainties in these rankings.
- •Scott Van Pelt shared his views on preseason rankings during a podcast.
- •He argues that rankings lack real knowledge, especially with player transfers.
- •Indiana's preseason No. 20 ranking is criticized for being misleading.
- •Van Pelt believes rankings are used more for promotional purposes than accuracy.
- •He urges for a reevaluation of how rankings impact early season matchups.
- 3:38 PMYahoo Sports — Scott Van Pelt opines on pointlessness of preseason CFB rankings
"Last season was dominated by the team ranked No. 20 in the preseason polls
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