In the football case of Florida State versus Miami, Miami beat FSU by three points, but when the home field advantage of approximately four points is added in because the game was played at Miami, the results indicate that, had the game been played at a neutral site, FSU would have been predicted to win by one point. Similarly, if the game been played at FSU, FSU would have been predicted to win by five points. Pollsters would likely eliminate Oklahoma from the elite based on a late loss, however. That may or may not provide the best reflection of reality, but it surely occurs. Most pollsters probably use a process of elimination starting with their best team and then 2nd best, etc.
Computers simply add up the scores and sort the teams based on the system being used.
Pollsters can consider factors such as injuries, events creating emotional highs and lows, and other factors that do not lend themselves to representation numerically. Computer systems could consider the historical performance of one team vs. another, but such treatment is rather complicated. Computers don't make mistakes with arithmetic, whereas pollsters do. A pollster will likely review opposing teams, home field advantage, strength of opponents when making rankings. However, while pollsters may simulate or emulate the computer in assessing teams' relative standings, they cannot achieve the same level of objectivity or accuracy.