Choose 1 team ranked anywhere, 1 ranked 6th or worse, 1 ranked 11th or worse, 1 ranked 16th or worse, and 1 ranked 21st or worse. Any of those slots may use an unranked team.
Add 3 more teams that were unranked in the preseason AP Top 25.
Use each team once. A duplicate selection scores zero.
The AP Top 25 released after conference championship games, around Dec. 4, sets both scoring parts.
A ranked finish earns three times 26 minus the final rank; an unranked finish earns zero final-rank points.
Add 1 point for each place improved from the preseason rank. Preseason-unranked teams improve from 26, and moving down has no penalty.
The total from all 8 teams determines the standings, with equal totals tied.