It seems that everyone has an opinion about the BCS. Either you love it or you hate it. Either way most can agree that it has it’s flaws and ultimately that’s why the playoff system will go into effect next year. My friend Jeff got fed up with the BCS a few years ago and decided to make his own ranking system, the Scissom Ranking System.
The Scissom Ranking System Background
The Scissom Ranking System was originally derived to create a more evenly balanced computer football ranking system that also took into account margin of victory, but in a way that running up the score on an inferior opponent would not provide an unfair boost in rankings. The system is generally not very accurate until week 7 or 8, much like the BCS. This is due to the fact that each season is started fresh with all teams starting at an even ranking.
System Information
The system contains all Division I teams. This includes all FBS and FCS teams. All DII and DIII teams are grouped into one “team” called DIII.
This system contains data from all seasons since the 2003-2004 season. First created in 2008 the Scissom Ranking System was run retroactively back to 2003-2004 season.
Every team starts the season with the same rank. Each team is assigned a ranking value of 120 points (derived from a 12 game regular season, 10 points per game). As teams play each other that original 120 point value is modified based on results. For example Alabama beats Virginia Tech by 25 points. Alabama’s point value increases from 120 to 155. Virginia Tech’s point value decreases the same amount from 120 to 85. These new values are used to calculate the results of the next weeks game.
Logic behind the system
Raw Point Values – Formula: New Points = (Loser’s Point value/Winner’s Point value) * 10 + (Loser’s Point value/Winner’s Point value) * Margin of Victory. The raw point values each week are calculated based on the ratio of the Losing Team’s value divided by the Winning Teams value. This makes sure that a great team that destroys a weak team doesn’t get the same boost as a great team destroying a great team.
Strength of Schedule – Strength of schedule is just the average point value of your opponents through your current schedule. Future games do not calculate into this SOS. For this reason, playing low quality teams will drastically decrease you SOS.
Ranking – This is the part that has to be kept private. I use a formula that I’ve developed to calculate a Ranking Value. This Ranking Value is what is used to rank the teams (higher ranking value is a better team). The values that are used in this formula are Raw Point Value of the team, Strength of Schedule, and Wins/Losses.
Scoring Potential – Each team is given a value that rates their ability to score points. This is the teams overall ability to score points on Offense, Defense or Special Teams. It is calculated by taking the total points scored in games to this point and dividing it by 1000 – the teams current SOS. Points Scored/(1000 – strength)
Potential to Prevent Scoring – Each team is given a value that rates their potential to prevent the opponent from scoring. It is calculated by taking the total points against to this point and dividing it by 1000 – the teams current SOS, then subtracting that total from 1. 1 – (Points Allowed/(1000 – strength))
BCS and Scissom Ranking Systems
The initial standings for the BCS’s 16th and final season were released last night. I don’t think there was many suprises except maybe the fact Florida State jumped Oregon for the #2 spot. The standings for the Scissom Ranking System have been updated as well. Here’s the top 5 teams for week 8 in the Scissom Ranking System. Click HERE or the picture for the full top 25.
There’s a quick overview of the Scissom Ranking System. You can check out the links below to access the system or contact Jeff.
Website: http://ranking.scissom.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScissomRanking
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ScissomRankingSystem
