When it comes to finding the best of the mediocre, perhaps "vibes" should play the largest role. Certainly would explain why Rutgers was left out, as their vibes down the stretch were pretty woeful.

Feel like it's worth pointing out that Vanderbilt is a 3-to-4 point underdog on a neutral floor to any of the other teams in the poll-- but you're right that, ultimately, looking into a pile of glop and thinking "I dunno, they seem like the best today" might be just as valid as anything else. It's still all glop end of the day.