CBS Sports ranks the Top 25 best programs in college athletics in 2021-22
CBS Sports has ranked the Top 25 best programs in college athletics for the 2021-22 season, and some of the biggest brands in the nation lead the way.
To illustrate, CBS Sports began presenting its Best in College Sports award in 2013, where they utilize a weighted formula that recognizes sports with more broad interest. It’s an intense competition between every school in the nation, as each FBS program is rated in three sports — football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball — along with two “wild cards” among the school’s most successful spectator sports: baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse, hockey and wrestling, according to CBS Sports.
Additionally, CBS Sports‘ weighted formula puts an emphasis on football and men’s basketball compared to the rest of the sports, as football is weighed 2.5 times more, while men’s basketball is weighed 2.0 times as much as the other sports. Moreover, CBS Sports explained teams that do not finish in the final AP Top 25 in football but play in a bowl are awarded 62.5 points (25 x 2.5). (Teams that either opted out of bowl games or saw postseason contests canceled received 62.5 points in football.) Those that make the men’s NIT are given 20 points (10 x 2), while WNIT teams receive 10 points.
Finally, for all titles settled via bracket, such as the NCAA Tournament, point totals are based on number of participants. All champions in the other sports receive 100 points for a national championship in the formula created by long-time CBS Sports producer J. Darin Darst.
Here’s CBS Sports Top 25 best programs in college athletics for the 2021-22 season:
- Michigan Wolverines
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Baylor Bears
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Michigan State Spartans
- Miami Hurricanes
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Utah Utes
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Ole Miss Rebels
- BYU Cougars
- Iowa State Cyclones
- Texas Longhorns
- UCLA Bruins
- Wisconsin Badgers
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
- Auburn Tigers
- Clemson Tigers
As you can see, a tremendous year for Michigan is being capped by the prestigious CBS Sports award. According to the article, the Wolverines have now been named the top program in the nation twice in the last three years, which makes them the first two-time recipient.
Afterwards, Notre Dame and Ohio State followed Michigan — which must feel fantastic for all Wolverines fans who lay eyes on the impressive feat.
It was a phenomenal year for Michigan, but every program in the nation will be gunning for them moving forward. Time will tell if the Wolverines can capture a third title, or if they can be unseated by a different top program.