ncaa football rankings make your own

2 min read 27-11-2024

The release of the latest AP Poll or Coaches' Poll always sparks debate. Some fans feel their favorite team is underrated, while others believe a rival is overrated. Why not take matters into your own hands? This guide will show you how to create your own NCAA football rankings, incorporating your own criteria and perspective.

Choosing Your Ranking Methodology

Before you dive in, decide on your ranking criteria. There's no single "right" way. Here are some factors to consider:

H2: Key Statistical Categories

Points Per Game (PPG): A simple but effective measure of offensive efficiency.
Points Allowed Per Game (PAPG): Reflects defensive strength. Lower is better.
Total Yards Per Game: A comprehensive look at offensive output.
Yards Allowed Per Game: Measures defensive performance against total offense.
Turnover Margin: Indicates the team's ability to protect the ball and create turnovers. A positive margin is crucial.
Strength of Schedule (SOS): Consider the quality of opponents played. Winning against tough competition should be rewarded.
Record Against Ranked Opponents: Victories over ranked teams carry more weight.

H2: Subjective Factors to Consider

While statistics are important, don't ignore the qualitative aspects of the game:

Coaching: A great coach can elevate a team beyond its statistical profile.
Momentum: Recent performance and current team trends matter.
Injuries: Key injuries can significantly impact a team's effectiveness.
Intangibles: Team chemistry, leadership, and overall team spirit contribute to success.

Gathering Your Data

Several websites provide comprehensive NCAA football statistics. Some excellent resources include:

ESPN: Offers detailed game statistics, team rankings, and news.
NCAA.com: The official source for NCAA sports data.
College Football Reference: Provides in-depth statistical analysis.

Compile the data you've chosen for each team. You can use a spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets to organize everything efficiently.

Weighting Your Criteria

This is where your personal preferences come into play. Assign weights to each criterion reflecting its importance in your ranking system. For example:

PPG: 20%
PAPG: 20%
SOS: 15%
Record Against Ranked Opponents: 15%
Turnover Margin: 10%
Coaching: 10%
Intangibles: 10%

You can adjust these weights to reflect your priorities. If you value offensive firepower more than defense, you might assign a higher weight to PPG.

Calculating Your Rankings

Once you have your data and weights, it's time to calculate your rankings. Use a formula to combine your chosen statistics, applying the chosen weights. A simple weighted average calculation can work well.

For example, if Team A has a PPG of 40 (weighted 20%), PAPG of 15 (weighted 20%), and so on, you will calculate a weighted average to determine their overall score. Repeat this process for every team.

Refining Your Methodology

After your initial rankings, review your results. Does it accurately reflect your perception of the teams? Are there any outliers? This iterative process is key to refining your system. Experiment with different weights and factors to achieve a ranking that reflects your specific evaluation criteria.

The Importance of Transparency

Remember to document your methodology. This ensures your rankings are consistent and allows others to understand your rationale. Clearly state your chosen criteria, their weights, and the process you used to arrive at your final rankings.

Conclusion: Your Unique NCAA Football Power Rankings

Creating your own NCAA football rankings is a rewarding exercise that allows you to engage more deeply with the sport. By thoughtfully choosing your criteria, gathering data, and assigning weights, you can produce a unique and insightful ranking system that reflects your expertise and perspective on college football. Now go out there and make your own power rankings! Let us know how your rankings compare to the established polls in the comments below!