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College football games have finally been played and that means there is actually action and statistics on which to base our BlogPoll Top 25 rankings. This year, I am going to be doing things a little differently. In the past, I would scour game scores and comprise a ballot each week based on who I thought was the best.
Well, I will still be scouring game scores, but for an entirely different reason.
I've comprised an imperfect formula to create my rankings. Here is how they break down:
1. Strength of schedule accounts for 1/3. I rank each team based on the average strength of the teams they have played. For Week 1, I used the preseason FEI ratings at Football Outsiders. All FCS teams were assigned a value of 125 (there are a total of 124 teams in FBS). Michigan is No.1 in this category, as they played Alabama (No. 1 in FEI's preseason rating).
2. Scoring Margin accounts for 1/3. I rank each team based on their scoring margin. For example, Oklahoma State is No. 1 in this category by virtue of their 84-0 win.
3. Winning percentage accounts for 1/3. I rank each team based on their winning percentage. Everyone got a value of either 1 or 72 this week.
I take the average of all those three rankings and "voila!" I have every team in college football rated (Except for this week, because some teams have yet to play - sorry TCU and Oregon State).
After the jump, my formula's Top 25. One important thing of note: I had Texas State at #11, but the BlogPoll ballot didn't give Texas State as an option. Get on it, BlogPoll Gods!
Oh yeah, and WSU is at #98. Lots of room for improvement, Cougs!
CougCenter Ballot - Week 1
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama Crimson Tide | -- |
| 2 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | -- |
| 3 | Nebraska Cornhuskers | -- |
| 4 | Clemson Tigers | -- |
| 5 | Miami Hurricanes | -- |
| 6 | Tennessee Volunteers | -- |
| 7 | Ohio St. Buckeyes | -- |
| 8 | Virginia Tech Hokies | -- |
| 9 | Ohio Bobcats | -- |
| 10 | Michigan St. Spartans | -- |
| 11 | Louisville Cardinals | -- |
| 12 | Illinois Fighting Illini | -- |
| 13 | Iowa St. Cyclones | -- |
| 14 | Nevada Wolf Pack | -- |
| 15 | West Virginia Mountaineers | -- |
| 16 | South Carolina Gamecocks | -- |
| 17 | Baylor Bears | -- |
| 18 | Duke Blue Devils | -- |
| 19 | USC Trojans | -- |
| 20 | Florida Gators | -- |
| 21 | Oregon Ducks | -- |
| 22 | Central Florida Knights | -- |
| 23 | Oklahoma St. Cowboys | -- |
| 24 | Florida St. Seminoles | -- |
| 25 | North Carolina Tar Heels | -- |
SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Top 25 Rankings "