College football is top-rated in the United States, and fans love to follow their favorite teams. Rankings help us understand who the best teams are. But how do these rankings work? In this article, we will explain the process of college football rankings and discuss polls and ranking systems in detail.
The Importance of College Football Rankings
Rankings are important in college football. They determine which teams play in big games and help decide the national champion. Rankings also give fans a way to compare teams and add excitement to the season.
Types of College Football Rankings
There are different types of rankings in college football. The two main types are:
- Polls
- Computer Rankings
Polls
Polls are teams ranked by people, usually experts such as coaches, sportswriters, or former players. There are two primary polls in college football:
AP Poll
The AP Poll, short for the Associated Press Poll, is one of the oldest and most famous. It has been around since 1936.
How does the AP Poll work?
Sportswriters and broadcasters vote for the top 25 teams each week. Each voter ranks the teams from 1 to 25. The team ranked first gets 25 points, the second gets 24 points, and so on. The points are added up to create the final rankings.
Coaches Poll
The Coaches Poll started in 1950. In this poll, college football coaches vote for the top teams. The process is similar to the AP Poll, with coaches ranking the teams from 1 to 25. Points are given based on the rankings, and the team with the most points is ranked first.
Computer Rankings
Computer rankings use math and statistics to rank teams, considering many factors such as wins, losses, strength of schedule, and more. The goal is to be as fair and accurate as possible.
Examples of Computer Rankings
- Sagarin Rankings
- Colley Matrix
- Billingsley Report
Sagarin Rankings
Jeff Sagarin created the Sagarin Rankings, which are part of USA Today. They use a mathematical formula to rank teams, considering wins, losses, schedule strength, and the margin of victory.
Colley Matrix
Wes Colley created the Colley Matrix, which uses math to rank teams. It is unique because it does not consider the margin of victory, focusing instead on who a team has played and how well they did.
Billingsley Report
Richard Billingsley created the Billingsley Report, a ranking system that has been around since 1970. It uses a mix of math and historical data to rank teams fairly and accurately.
College Football Playoff Rankings
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are the most important as they decide which teams play for the national championship. The CFP rankings are different from the AP and Coaches Polls.
How The CFP Rankings Work
The CFP rankings are created by a committee of 13 members who are experts in college football. The committee meets weekly during the season to rank the top 25 teams.
Factors Considered by the CFP Committee
The CFP committee looks at many factors, including:
- Wins and losses
- Strength of schedule
- Head-to-head results
- Performance against common opponents
- Conference championships
The committee also watches games and considers how well teams play, including injuries and other factors, to rank the best teams fairly.
Importance Of CFP Rankings
The CFP rankings are important as they decide which teams play in the playoffs. The top four teams make the playoffs and compete for the national championship.
How Rankings Affect Bowl Games
Rankings also affect bowl games, which are particular games played at the end of the season. The best teams get to play in the best bowl games. Rankings help decide which teams play in which bowls.
New Year’s Six Bowls
The New Year’s Six Bowls are the most important bowl games. They include:
- Rose Bowl
- Sugar Bowl
- Orange Bowl
- Fiesta Bowl
- Peach Bowl
- Cotton Bowl
These bowls often feature the highest-ranked teams, and the CFP also uses these bowls for the playoff games.
Criticism of Rankings
Rankings could be better, and some people think they are unfair. Critics believe that polls can be biased, computer rankings can be too complex, and the CFP committee can make mistakes.
Common Complaints
Some common complaints about rankings include:
- Bias toward certain conferences
- Not enough consideration for small schools
- Too much focus on big wins
- Not enough emphasis on overall performance
Despite these complaints, rankings are still important as they help create excitement and competition in college football.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are College Football Rankings?
College football rankings evaluate team performance and determine standings using polls and ranking systems.
How Are Rankings Determined?
Polls, computer algorithms, and committee evaluations determine rankings.
Who Creates Football Rankings?
Coaches, sportswriters, and committees create rankings.
What Is The AP Poll?
The AP Poll is a ranking system by sportswriters and broadcasters.
Conclusion
College football rankings are a big part of the sport, helping determine the best teams. There are different types of rankings, including polls and computer rankings. The CFP rankings are the most important as they decide which teams play for the national championship. While rankings are not perfect, they add excitement to the season and give fans a way to compare teams. They understand and understand how rankings work, which can make watching college football even more fun!
