On Saturday, October 31, it was a perfectly lovely afternoon in Palo Alto, and I had the Iowa-Indiana game on while doing the dishes. Up to that point in the season, Iowa remained undefeated with an impressive 11 point win over Penn State at Happy Valley. However, they had squeaked out 2 point wins over Michigan and Michigan St. as well as a meager 3 point win at home over Arkansas St. This would be an interesting team for the Power Rank, since I doubted they would be in the same class as Florida or Alabama. No sooner than this thought passed through my mind, the commentator stated how 5 of the 6 BCS computers had Iowa ranked number 1. That doesn’t pass the stupid test. After looking into it, none of the BCS computers account for margin of victory, since running up the score is frowned upon. Ignoring score difference also doesn’t pass the stupid test. There is useful information in the margin of victory. Including Iowa’s win over Indiana that week, the Power Rank put the Hawkeyes at 10, which seems much more reasonable.
The most eyepopping feature of the current rankings is Texas Tech. Number 10. That was enough to make me check my code. The Raiders have big wins on the road at Nebraska and at home over Oklahoma. They would be even higher had they not gotten stomped by Texas A&M by 22 at home. Neither the BCS, AP poll, or USA Today coach’s poll have them in the top 25, although they are 28 in the AP. Second, there are 9 SEC teams in the top 25. NINE. Numbers say the SEC is tough conference.
Disclaimer: Displaying these rankings in no way supports the current system of determining a national champion in college football. There should be playoffs to crown a champion.
Rankings through November 28, 2009. (Week 13)
1. Alabama, 23.03
2. Florida, 22.27
3. Texas, 20.95
4. TCU, 19.93
5. Boise St., 17.20
6. LSU, 14.20
7. Arkansas, 14.05
8. Tennessee, 13.84
9. Virginia Tech, 13.26
10. Texas Tech, 12.88
11. Oklahoma, 12.87
12. Oregon, 12.87
13. Cincinnati, 12.47
14. Clemson, 11.60
15. Georgia Tech, 11.42
16. Mississippi, 11.24
17. Auburn, 11.18
18. Ohio St., 10.51
19. Miami (FL), 10.04
20. Nebraska, 10.00
21. Stanford, 9.67
22. South Carolina, 8.94
23. Pittsburgh, 8.83
24. Georgia, 8.53
25. Iowa, 8.49
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