Network Ranking Final

by Patrick Rhamey

As I talked about last week - human beings have a propensity to overly bias the most recent observation and ignore broader evidence.  This week, the playoff committee engaged in the most extreme and obvious example of this illogical propensity.  From the perspective of the Network Ranking, Ohio State, ranked 11, has no business being in the playoff.

I'll create a Professors' ranking similar to what I did yesterday as soon as the other 6 rankings are available.  Perhaps some of the rankings that include win margins will push Ohio State into the top 4 in the composite.  But, in the meantime, here's the Network Ranking:

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Florida State (nc)
  2. Alabama (nc)
  3. Oregon (nc)
  4. TCU (+1)
  5. Mississippi State (-1)
  6. Ole Miss (nc)
  7. UCLA (+1)
  8. LSU (+1)
  9. Michigan State (+1)
  10. Auburn (+1)
  11. Ohio State (+1)
  12. Baylor (+3)
  13. Oklahoma (-6)
  14. Arizona (nc)
  15. Georgia Tech (-2)
  16. Clemson (nc)
  17. Nebraska (nc)
  18. Georgia (nc)
  19. Arizona State (+1)
  20. Kansas State (-1)
  21. Texas A&M (nc)
  22. Boise State (nc)
  23. Louisville (nc)
  24. Utah (+2)
  25. Missouri (-1)

The Professor Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

In the midst of watching today's college football, and incurring ever rising angst to the pontificating of just about every sports caster and pundit, I had a thought - forget the playoff committee and the punditry, what if you created a ranking  based purely on the different rigorous mathematical approaches created by individuals with the appropriate expertise.  So I combed through the College Football rankings that exist with two critiera: 1) the ranking is mathematically rigorous, unbiased, and non-arbitary in its construction and 2) is created by a professor with an advanced degree in a field where that professor is employing similar mathematical methods in his own substantive research.  The first is a necessity in retroactive based rankings (meaning they evaluate existing evidence rather than attempt to predict), the second grants the ranking credibility as the author has related skills that have resulted in academic publication.

This quest resulted in the following 7 rankers:

Jay Coleman, University of North Florida - PhD Industrial Management, Clemson University (http://www.unf.edu/~jcoleman/minv.htm)

Wesley N. Colley, University of Alabama in Huntsville, former BCS contributor - PhD Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University (http://www.colleyrankings.com/)

Cody Kirkpatrick, Indiana University - PhD Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alabama in Huntsville (http://talismanred.com/ratings/cf/)

Kenneth Massey, Carson-Newman College, former BCS contributor - PhD Mathematics, Virginia Tech (http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cf&sub=FBS)

Peter J. Mucha, University of North Carolina - PhD Applied and Computational Mathematics, Princeton University (http://rwrankings.blogspot.com/)

Patrick Rhamey, Virginia Military Institute - PhD Political Science, University of Arizona 

Matthew Rissler, Loras College - PhD Mathematics, Notre Dame (http://discnerd.wordpress.com/)

To calculate the rankings, I took the median for each team (rather than the weird drop the high low and take the average method of the BCS).   The mean was used to break ties.  Incidentally, the Professor Ranking and the Playoff Committee give the exact same top 4 in the exact same order.  However, note there is no SEC bias - if anything after you get past the top 4, the polls and the playoff committee are actually unfairly biased against the sec.

Prof Ranking

Network Ranking for Week 15

by Patrick Rhamey

The dramatic outcomes of this week result in some pretty significant movement in the rankings this late in the season, with many teams experiencing double digit moves - but one observation does not inherently negate an entire body of work.  One of the problems of human evaluation, true of everything from ranking college football teams to generally evaluating risks or making financial decisions, is a propensity to dramatically outweigh small pieces of evidence and outliers while ignoring dominant trends - sort of like denying the existence of global warming just because it's snowing at your house.  Mississippi State did lose to Ole Miss, which caused them to fall a spot in the ranking, but it doesn't (and shouldn't) matter much.  For starters, Ole Miss was underrated following an overreaction to the LSU and Auburn losses, both of which are top 10 teams.  State losing to Ole Miss is just another redundancy in the SEC West - evidence of a lack of dominance among a group of excellent teams rather than evidence of the group's overall lack of quality.  The SEC East, however, does take a hit, with Georgia, UF, South Carolina, and Kentucky all experiencing significant drops following losses to ACC opponents, which all likewise make gains.

If the season is about the body of evidence, rather than the media hyperbole following a single game, than TCU is currently on the bubble.  Mississippi State's wins are a little bit better, their losses are a little bit worse, but on balance they come out slightly ahead of TCU.  However, given the absurd rankings we've seen so far from them, the committee is unlikely to be so sensible and cautious in their evaluation of last week's games.  While TCU in place of State is not a huge error (they are only narrowly beaten out by State in the Network), if Ohio State makes it into the playoff it will be the most egregious violation of a college football ranking since 2012 when the AP put Lane Kiffin's USC as the preseason number 1.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Florida State (nc)
  2. Alabama (+2)
  3. Oregon (+3)
  4. Mississippi State (-1)
  5. TCU (+3)
  6. Ole Miss (-1)
  7. Oklahoma (+5)
  8. UCLA (-1)
  9. LSU (nc)
  10. Michigan State (+3)
  11. Auburn (nc)
  12. Ohio State (+4)
  13. Georgia Tech (+11)
  14. Arizona (+4)
  15. Baylor (+2)
  16. Clemson (+11)
  17. Nebraska (+4)
  18. Georgia (-8)
  19. Kansas State (nc)
  20. Arizona State (nc)
  21. Texas A&M (+1)
  22. Boise State (+1)
  23. Louisville (+3)
  24. Missouri (+4)
  25. Wisconsin (nc)

 

Network Ranking for Week 14

by Patrick Rhamey

Minimal changes this week, and the top 4 remain the same.  Ole Miss is punished a little for losing to Arkansas, but not enough to matter.  Why?  Because the teams that Arkansas has lost to predominantly overlap with those that LSU and Auburn lost to, who are already in Ole Miss's loss network, so we're not getting much new information about the severity of Ole Miss's losses (and their wins continue to look good).  Indeed, this is generally true of most teams this week: win or lose, the ties are redundant given the extent of conference play information available to us (that or they played irrelevant cupcakes, ala Alabama).  Arkansas, however, gains hugely, rising to number 15.  Next week, however, with many teams playing out of conference rivals (Florida State and Georgia in particular), we should expect more movement.  It also means as we approach the end, if Bama wins the Iron Bowl and State wins the Egg Bowl, there really isn't much of an argument to keep either one out of the playoff.  Obviously, Marshall will be the deserving team on the sideline, likely to be replaced by the playoff committee by the PAC 12 champion.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Florida State (nc)
  2. Marshall (nc)
  3. Mississippi State (+1)
  4. Alabama (-1)
  5. Ole Miss (nc)
  6. Oregon (nc)
  7. UCLA (nc)
  8. TCU (nc)
  9. LSU (+2)
  10. Georgia (nc)
  11. Auburn (-2)
  12. Oklahoma (nc)
  13. Michigan State (+2)
  14. Colorado State (-1)
  15. Arkansas (+10)
  16. Ohio State (-2)
  17. Baylor (nc)
  18. Arizona (+1)
  19. Kansas State (+2)
  20. Arizona State (-2)
  21. Nebraska (-5)
  22. Texas A&M (-2)
  23. Boise State (-1)
  24. Georgia Tech (nc)
  25. Wisconsin (+4)

Network Ranking for Week 13

by Patrick Rhamey

What had been minimally harmful losses for the SEC West to this point has opened the door to a more serious problem, causing the entire group to fall.  LSU's loss to Arkansas, as well as Auburn's loss to SEC East Georgia and the Texas A&M loss to Missouri, significantly increases the centrality of those top remaining teams (Alabama, State, Ole Miss) to the network of losses, dragging down their relative rank. Indeed, the result of these three losses is some of the most dramatic movement in the rankings for the past 5 weeks, leaving Florida State at the top.  While the quality of their wins is by no means higher than Alabama, Ole Miss, or even UCLA, the Seminoles have no losses, and with the increase in the costliness of the SEC West's losses this weekend, it's enough to propel them into first.

But, Florida State isn't the only undefeated team remaining.  First, the Network Ranking is not overly biased toward win loss record apart from the value of wins and losses (unlike some rankings) - as evidence look at the past few weeks.  But for all the same reasons Florida State climbs to number 1, Marshall has climbed to number 2.  If you look at the win centrality, Marshall's wins are less valuable than any other team in the Top 25, which explains why they are so often overlooked.  However, they have no losses to detract from that win record, and with this past weekend's chaos making all losses more costly for most of the top teams, it's enough to propel Marshall into the number 2 spot.

This highlights, in part, another serious flaw to the college football playoff.  If at the end of the season there are only two undefeated teams remaining, shouldn't the undefeated CUSA champion get a spot?  Obviously, they won't in reality, but this oversight ignores an excellent season by the Thundering Herd.

For what it's worth, Marshall has not only won every game this season, but done so by 15 points or more.  Their average win margin is 30.8.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Florida State (+4)
  2. Marshall (+6)
  3. Alabama (-1)
  4. Mississippi State (-3)
  5. Ole Miss (-1)
  6. Oregon (+5)
  7. UCLA (+3)
  8. TCU (+6)
  9. Auburn (-6)
  10. Georgia (+9)
  11. LSU (-5)
  12. Oklahoma (+3)
  13. Colorado State (+4)
  14. Ohio State  (+9)
  15. Michigan State (+11)
  16. Nebraska (-3)
  17. Baylor (+3)
  18. Arizona State (-6)
  19. Arizona (+6)
  20. Texas A&M (-13)
  21. Kansas State (-5)
  22. Boise State (+2)
  23. Notre Dame (-14)
  24. Georgia Tech (+3)
  25. Arkansas (+14)

 

 

Network Ranking for Week 12

by Patrick Rhamey

While SEC cannibalism results in SEC West teams failing to gain improved evidence of their "goodness" this past week (sometimes win or lose given its cyclical nature, e.g. Ole Miss->Bama->LSU->Ole Miss), it doesn't otherwise penalize them, as evidenced by the only mild relative decline in the ranking of Auburn and Ole Miss.  However, Florida State, while they continue to win, is experiencing a decline in the relative value of those wins as those opponents falter elsewhere (Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Syracuse).

While Oregon rose significantly, outside the SEC West and Florida State, Marshall, Notre Dame, and UCLA are all more deserving of playoff inclusion.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Mississippi State
  2. Alabama
  3. Auburn
  4. Ole Miss
  5. Florida State
  6. LSU
  7. Texas A&M
  8. Marshall
  9. Notre Dame
  10. UCLA
  11. Oregon
  12. Arizona State
  13. Nebraska
  14. TCU
  15. Oklahoma
  16. Kansas State
  17. Colorado State
  18. Duke
  19. Georgia
  20. Baylor
  21. Clemson
  22. Louisiana Tech
  23. Ohio State
  24. Boise State
  25. Arizona

Network Ranking Week 11

by Patrick Rhamey

It was only a matter of time before the Playoff Committee tried to sneak in a PAC-12 or Big 10 team.  It's shameless politicking, and SEC West aside, Notre Dame, Kansas State, Oklahoma, TCU, Marshall (yes, Marshall), Baylor, West Virginia, Louisiana Tech (yes, Louisiana Tech), Nebraska, and Oklahoma State are all more deserving of the CFB Playoff at this point in the season than Oregon.  What we see in this week's CFB Playoff ranking is West Coast bias at its most extreme.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Auburn
  2. Mississippi State
  3. Ole Miss
  4. Florida State
  5. LSU
  6. Notre Dame
  7. Alabama
  8. Kansas State
  9. Oklahoma
  10. TCU
  11. Marshall
  12. Texas A&M
  13. Baylor
  14. West Virginia
  15. Louisiana Tech
  16. Nebraska
  17. Oklahoma State
  18. Oregon
  19. Michigan State
  20. UCLA
  21. Arizona State
  22. Colorado State
  23. Clemson
  24. Georgia
  25. Duke

Network Ranking for Week 10

by Patrick Rhamey

First, Florida State had (yet another) bye week, so with their back loaded schedule they will climb late if they continue to win.  Once they provide more evidence, they'll rise, and while ranked sixth, the differences are marginal between Florida State, LSU and Alabama.  However, also remember, the best team Florida State has left to play is Miami.  While they've played two fewer games than Mississippi State, they also don't have anyone good left (unlike Mississippi State who still has to play both Ole Miss and Alabama).

The selection committee will come out with their rankings on Tuesday.  They will not mirror my top 4 not because mine are inaccurate, but because of politics.  They can't get away with the top four (actually five) all being from the SEC West. 

However, given the evidence we have so far, the top five teams in college football are all in the SEC West.

If you're wondering why Ole Miss didn't fall far, it's because while they did lose to LSU (resulting in a -2 to their win-loss score), LSU's losses aren't all that bad given they've only lost to undefeated Mississippi State and 1 loss Auburn (who only lost to undefeated Mississippi State).  Ole Miss can essentially wipe clean the effect of these losses (which isn't much compared to say, Nebraska, losing to Sparty losing to Oregon losing to Arizona losing to USC losing to Utah, BC, and Arizona State, etc.) by beating State in the Egg Bowl.  Meanwhile, Ole Miss's wins continue to become more powerful evidence of their goodness - obviously Alabama continuing to win is the largest component, but also Boise State beating a decent BYU and ULL doing  the same to Arkansas State.  As a result, the Rebels fall two spots, but hang in the top 4.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Mississippi State
  2. Auburn
  3. Ole Miss
  4. Alabama
  5. LSU
  6. Florida State
  7. Notre Dame
  8. Kansas State
  9. TCU
  10. Marshall
  11. Oklahoma
  12. Texas A&M
  13. Baylor
  14. West Virginia
  15. Louisiana Tech
  16. Oklahoma State
  17. Nebraska
  18. Michigan State
  19. Oregon
  20. Georgia
  21. UCLA
  22. Clemson
  23. Arizona State
  24. Colorado State
  25. Arizona

 

Network Ranking for Week 9

by Patrick Rhamey

Alabama jumps into the three spot while Auburn drops down to 5 (Auburn didn't play, Alabama did, think about it conceptually like a horse race to accumulate evidence).  For those of you wondering why Florida State didn't move up in the network after defeating Notre Dame, it's because the value of Florida State's other wins took a pretty big hit this week - Oklahoma State lost to TCU, NC State lost to Louisville (who Florida State doesn't play until next week), and Wake lost to Syracuse who Florida State already beat (as did Notre Dame so it's redundant). Notre Dame's wins aren't adding much to Florida State either.  The best one is Stanford, who lost to Arizona State this week. 

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Ole Miss
  2. Mississippi State
  3. Alabama
  4. Florida State
  5. Auburn
  6. Notre Dame
  7. TCU
  8. Kansas State
  9. Marshall
  10. Oklahoma
  11. LSU
  12. Baylor
  13. Texas A&M
  14. Minnesota
  15. West Virginia
  16. Oklahoma State
  17. Oregon
  18. Louisiana Tech
  19. Nebraska
  20. Georgia
  21. Michigan State
  22. UCLA
  23. Clemson
  24. Arizona
  25. Colorado State

 

 

Network Ranking for Week 7

by Patrick Rhamey

Forget the Iron Bowl, the biggest regular season game this year will be the Egg Bowl.


Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Ole Miss
  2. Mississippi State
  3. Arizona
  4. Auburn
  5. Texas A&M
  6. TCU
  7. Oregon
  8. Georgia Tech
  9. Alabama
  10. Oklahoma
  11. California
  12. Florida State
  13. Michigan State
  14. UCLA
  15. Florida
  16. Notre Dame
  17. Nebraska
  18. Penn State
  19. Marshall
  20. Baylor
  21. Northwestern
  22. Boise State
  23. Air Force
  24. Northern Illinois
  25. Kentucky


Network Ranking for Week 6

by Patrick Rhamey

After a big win against Arizona State, UCLA jumps to the number one spot while Texas A&M jumps to two after a solid win against Arkansas.  Auburn and Nebraska move into third and fourth while Oklahoma, Mississippi State, and Alabama are stagnant from a bye week.  Florida State continues to lack enough evidence to be in the top spot, but climbs to 17 after their win over NC State.

Top 25 - Explanation of Method; Full Ranking (.xlsx)

  1. UCLA
  2. Texas A&M
  3. Auburn
  4. Nebraska
  5. Ole Miss
  6. Alabama
  7. Mississippi State
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Arizona
  10. Oregon
  11. Brigham Young
  12. Marshall
  13. LSU
  14. Minnesota
  15. Baylor
  16. Penn State
  17. Florida State
  18. TCU
  19. California
  20. Kansas State
  21. Arkansas
  22. Michigan State
  23. Iowa
  24. Wyoming
  25. Maryland

Network Ranking for Week 5

by Patrick Rhamey

Following the completion of week 4, all FBS teams are connected to one another through either wins or losses, allowing for the first Network Ranking of the 2014 season.  An explanation of how this simple, intuitive, and obviously best ranking method is generated can be found here.  

While the AP poll has not yet been released, no doubt the most dramatic difference will be the placement of Florida State.  While the media will continue to rank Florida State #1 (due to their biases, including the Seminole's performance last year), the network ranking, which blindly evaluates the quality of wins minus the severity of losses within a season, ranks Florida State at #25.  Why? Because their wins are against Oklahoma State, who has only beaten UTSA (who beat Houston, who beat UNLV, who hasn't won an FBS game), and Clemson, who has yet to win against an FBS opponent.  If Florida State continues to win, and their opponents perform well, they'll climb in the rankings.  But, since the Network Ranking is evidence based and not speculation based, Florida State will have to earn their number 1 spot.

Top 25 - Full Ranking (.xls)

  1. Oklahoma
  2. Mississippi State
  3. Alabama
  4. Texas A&M
  5. Auburn
  6. UCLA
  7. Brigham Young
  8. South Carolina
  9. Penn State
  10. Georgia Tech
  11. Arizona
  12. Oregon
  13. North Carolina State
  14. Nebraska
  15. Washington
  16. Ole Miss
  17. Notre Dame
  18. Duke
  19. LSU
  20. Marshall
  21. Arizona State
  22. Arkansas
  23. TCU
  24. Boise State
  25. Florida State

 

MLB Ranking - May 18

by Patrick Rhamey

Ranking of Team-Starting Pitcher Combinations using network analysis (full ranking here):

  1. White Sox - Rienzo
  2. Marlins - Slowey
  3. A's - Pomeranz
  4. Angels - Shoemaker
  5. Marlins - DeSclafani
  6. Diamondbacks - Anderson
  7. Angels - Skaggs
  8. Tigers - Scherzer
  9. Blue Jays - Buehrle
  10. A's - Kazmir
  11. Yankees - Tanaka
  12. Brewers - Lohse
  13. Orioles - Tillman
  14. A's - Gray
  15. Blue Jays - Happ
  16. Tigers - Verlander
  17. Dodgers - Haren
  18. Tigers - Porcello
  19. Angels - Richards
  20. Nationals - Strasburg
  21. Twins - Hughes
  22. A's - Chavez
  23. Twins - Deduno
  24. Braves - Teheran

Ranking of MLB Teams by average rank of all Team - Pitcher Combinations:

  1. Blue Jays (+16)
  2. Angels (+1)
  3. Marlins (+3)
  4. Brewers (-3)
  5. Giants (-3)
  6. Twins (+9)
  7. Tigers (+5)
  8. A's (nc)
  9. Braves (+1)
  10. Royals (+15)
  11. Padres (+12)
  12. Red Sox (+4)
  13. White Sox (+15)
  14. Yankees (-5)
  15. Rockies (-9)
  16. Phillies (+3)
  17. Orioles (+1)
  18. Nationals (+4)
  19. Indians (+10)
  20. Diamondbacks (+4)
  21. Mets (-14)
  22. Mariners (-8)
  23. Rays (+7)
  24. Reds (-11)
  25. Dodgers (-20)
  26. Cardinals (-6)
  27. Cubs (-16)
  28. Rangers (-2)
  29. Pirates (-2)
  30. Astros (-9)

 

2014 State of World Liberty Index

by Patrick Rhamey

The State of World Liberty Index was a combination of indices compiled originally in 2006.  Since then, I've periodically updated the index.  My methodology is similar to the original with the following exceptions: I use only the civil liberties portion of the Freedom House, economic liberty (Fraser/Heritage) is weighted evenly with social liberty, and the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Scores are of equal weight to each of the Freedom House Civil Liberties sub-components.  All changes are done with the purpose of creating the most accurate relative ranking of countries by the degree of liberty (economic and social) enjoyed by the average individual within the polity.  Where data is available, territories or colonies (e.g. Hong Kong) are included.   

2014 Freedom by Quintile.  Colors represent countries grouped by quintiles in order of Blue (top 20%), Green (20-40%), Yellow (40-60%), Orange (60-80%), and Red (80-100%).

2014 Most Free Countries:

1.  Liechtenstein
2. New Zealand
3. Switzerland
3. Hong Kong
5. Canada
5. Finland
7. Australia
8. Denmark
8. Luxembourg
10. Netherlands
10. Ireland
10. Norway
10. Sweden
10. Estonia

2014 Most Tyrannical States:

1. North Korea
2. Somalia
3. Syria
4. Eritrea
5. Cuba
6. Turkmenistan
7. Uzbekistan
8. Iran
8. Zimbabwe
8. Central African Republic
8. Democratic Republic of Congo
8. Myanmar

2014 Greatest Increases in Liberty:

1. Cote d'Ivoire
2. Tunisia
2. Lesotho
4. Georgia
5. Guyana
5. Colombia
7. Ecuador
8. Senegal
8. Mauritania
8. Mali

2014 Greatest Increases in Tyranny:

1.  Central African Republic
2. Tajikistan
2. Guatemala
2. Argentina
5. Kuwait
5. Kenya
7. Montenegro
7. Vanuatu
9. Swaziland
10. Yemen
10. Cabo Verde

MLB Ranking - May 4

by Patrick Rhamey

Ranking of team-starting pitcher combinations using network analysis (download full ranking here):

  1. Angels - Skaggs (+3)
  2. Rangers - Perez (-1)
  3. A's - Kazmir (+9)
  4. A's - Chavez (+2)
  5. Marlins - Slowey (+5)
  6. Mariners - Iwakuma (n/a)
  7. Giants - Petit (n/a)
  8. Astros - McHugh (+5)
  9. Astros - Peacock (+82)
  10. Cubs - Arrieta (n/a)
  11. Brewers - Peralta (-6)
  12. Dodgers - Greinke (-5)
  13. Tigers - Verlander (+7)
  14. Nationals - Strasburg (+5)
  15. Braves - Teheran (nc)
  16. Nationals - Gonzalez (+9)
  17. Orioles - Tillman (nc)
  18. Brewers - Lohse (+20)
  19. Rockies - Morales (+32)
  20. Yankees - Tanaka (+19)
  21. Rangers - Darvish (-19)
  22. Giants - Vogelsong (+93)
  23. Tigers - Scherzer (+12)
  24. Cubs - Hammel (+81)
  25. Dodgers - Haren (+18)

Ranking of all MLB Teams by average rank of team-starting pitcher combo:

  1. Brewers (nc)
  2. Giants (+20)
  3. Angels (+5)
  4. Marlins (+2)
  5. Dodgers (+15)
  6. Rockies (+20)
  7. Mets (-4)
  8. A's (-1)
  9. Yankees (-5)
  10. Braves (-8)
  11. Cubs (+19)
  12. Tigers (-1)
  13. Reds (+4)
  14. Mariners (+13)
  15. Twins (-3)
  16. Red Sox (-7)
  17. Blue Jays (-7)
  18. Orioles (-3)
  19. Phillies (-5)
  20. Cardinals (-7)
  21. Astros (-1)
  22. Nationals (-17)
  23. Padres (-7)
  24. Diamondbacks (+5)
  25. Royals (nc)
  26. Rangers (-8)
  27. Pirates (-6)
  28. White Sox  (-5)
  29. Indians (-5)
  30. Rays (-2)

 

 

MLB Ranking - April 27

by Patrick Rhamey

Ranking of all MLB Team-Starting Pitcher Combinations subtracting centrality to the network of wins minus centrality to the network of losses (similar to the College Football ranking below).

  1. Rangers - Perez
  2. Rangers - Darvish
  3. Braves - Santana
  4. Angels - Skaggs
  5. Brewers - Peralta
  6. A's - Chavez
  7. Dodgers - Greinke
  8. Mets - Mejia
  9. Arizona - Miley
  10. Marlins - Slowley
  11. Marlins - Turner
  12. A's - Kazmir
  13. Astros - McHugh
  14. Yankees - Nuno
  15. Braves - Teheran
  16. Indians - McAllister
  17. Orioles - Tillman
  18. Brewers - Gallardo
  19. Nationals - Strasburg
  20. Tigers - Verlander
  21. Devil Rays - Price
  22. Brewers - Estrada
  23. Cardinals - Wainwright
  24. Marlins - Koehler
  25. Nationals - Gonzalez

(Full List in Excel)

MLB Ranking Based on Average Team Rank:

  1. Brewers
  2. Braves
  3. Mets
  4. Yankees
  5. Nationals
  6. Marlins
  7. A's
  8. Angels
  9. Red Sox
  10. Blue Jays
  11. Tigers
  12. Twins
  13. Cardinals
  14. Phillies
  15. Orioles
  16. Padres
  17. Reds
  18. Rangers
  19. Dodgers
  20. Astros
  21. Pirates
  22. Giants
  23. White Sox
  24. Indians
  25. Royals
  26. Rockies
  27. Mariners
  28. Devil Rays
  29. Diamondbacks
  30. Cubs

Post-Bowl Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Obviously no change in the Top 2.  UCF and Clemson join the top 5 as Alabama and South Carolina fall out.  Big jump into the top 25 by Nebraska following their win over Georgia in the Gator Bowl.

 

Top 25 (Full Rankings; Explanation)

  1. Florida State (nc)
  2. Auburn (nc)
  3. Missouri (+1)
  4. UCF (+2)
  5. Clemson (+2)
  6. Alabama (-3)
  7. South Carolina (-2)
  8. Louisville (+8)
  9. Oklahoma (+5)
  10. Texas A&M (+1)
  11. Oregon (+1)
  12. Ohio State (-3)
  13. Michigan State (+7)
  14. LSU (-4)
  15. UCLA (+2)
  16. Baylor (-1)
  17. Ole Miss (+1)
  18. Stanford (-5)
  19. Georgia (-11)
  20. Vanderbilt (+2)
  21. Mississippi State (+8)
  22. Washington (+11)
  23. Oklahoma State (nc)
  24. Notre Dame (+7)
  25. Nebraska (+11)

Final Network Rankings of the 2013 Regular Season

by Patrick Rhamey

The BCS is likely to echo the final network rankings, at least as far as 1 and 2 are concerned.  Interestingly, as an example of why how you think and rank matters so greatly, there would likely be stark differences between how the network rankings v. the BCS v. a selection committee would think about Bowl selection beyond the national championship and/or playoff seeding.  For example, the network rankings claim that of the top 4 teams, 3 of them are in the SEC.  Intuitively quite reasonable to many people, but I strongly doubt a selection committee is going to let 3 teams from the same conference go to a playoff, even if they've earned it.  As a comparison to what will be released later today, below today's rankings I've included a BCS Bowl slotting using the current BCS rules, selection order, and program revenue.

Also interesting about this week is the network rankings' responsiveness to new evidence.  We see NIU drop from 3 last week to 27 this week with the loss to a very bad Bowling Green team.  Likewise, Ohio State falls from 2 to 9 losing to a Michigan State team that the network rankings have never held higher than the top 20.

Final Regular Season Top 25 (Explanation; Full Rankings)

  1. Florida State (nc)
  2. Auburn (+3)
  3. Alabama (+1)
  4. Missouri (+2)
  5. South Carolina (+2)
  6. UCF (+4)
  7. Clemson (+1)
  8. Georgia (+1)
  9. Ohio State (-7)
  10. LSU (+1)
  11. Texas A&M (+1)
  12. Oregon (+1)
  13. Stanford (+1)
  14. Oklahoma (+4)
  15. Baylor (nc)
  16. Louisville (+1)
  17. UCLA (-1)
  18. Ole Miss (+1)
  19. Miami (+1)
  20. Michigan State (+8)
  21. Arizona State (nc)
  22. Vanderbilt (+1)
  23. Oklahoma State (-1)
  24. Duke (nc)
  25. Wisconsin (+1)

Network Ranking Bowl Selection:
BCS National Championship: Florida State v. Auburn
Rose Bowl: Michigan State v. Stanford
Orange Bowl: Clemson v. Ohio State
Sugar Bowl: Alabama v. Oregon
Fiesta Bowl: Baylor v. UCF

Network Ranking Playoff Seeding:
Game 1: Florida State v. Missouri
Game 2: Auburn v. Alabama