What separates Cincinnati and Boston College

◄Boston CollegefavorsCincinnati►

Last season's body of worklast year's power rating, regressed toward the averageCincinnati +6

Quarterbackthe projected starter's quality and how settled the job isCincinnati +2

Roster talentoverall talent level of the roster — recruiting pedigree plus an independent preseason roster gradeBoston College +1

Returning productionhow much of last year's production is back this seasonBoston College +1

Each ingredient of our projection and the side it favors — bars toward Cincinnati are why it's the pick (home field is counted separately).