Updated Power Rankings
April 04, 2011
We've set things up so that our Power Rankings update daily. The list includes all 300 Division One teams, so whether you're interested in the top 25 or the top 250, you can find it here.
There's a link on the left-hand sidebar under "Draft Toolbox," and you should probably bookmark the power rankings page, too.
The exact details of our algorithm are geeky, boring, and subject to change. For all that, you might be interested in the general idea.
- We start with each team's pythagorean winning percentage--that is, how many runs they score and allow. This is a better tool than won-loss record, because it gives teams more credit for blowout wins. After all, who is the better team, the one that wins 11-1 or 11-7?
- Next, we measure the quality of each teams's schedule. This is absolutely crucial, especially early in the season, when teams are playing out-of-conference opponents.
- We also adjust for how many games each team has played at home. Home field advantage is stronger in college than in the pros, and northern teams don't get nearly as many home games as their southern brethren. We account for that.
- Finally, we measure the skill level of each team's returning players. Using Wins Above Replacement (WAR) from 2010, we estimate the quality of each team before the season starts. Then, as the season progresses, we increase the weight given to in-season results and decrease the weight given to 2010 WAR.