By no means is it scientific. Usually, it's little more than a guess. Take Nebraska as an example. The Huskers, with more question marks than a punctuation manual, are No. 6 in four of the above polls, No. 8 in the other. That's probably where they'll need to finish for Frank Solich to enjoy life in Lincoln, but that's another story.
Voters see Texas through the same eyes, too.
The Longhorns are 17th in three polls, 16th in one and 20th in the other. Kansas State ranges between 19th and 23rd in four polls , the exception being the Football Writers, who have them 14th. That discrepancy is understandable because we all know writers are partial to K-State. I don't know this for sure, but maybe, just maybe, pollsters are sneaking a peek at the first poll that comes out before casting their votes. Looks like a dead heat.