Computers and rutgers

Was curious about the computer rankings of Rutgers so I wrote to Richard Billingsly who is the author of one of the six BCS computer ranking services.

Sir,

I have read your explanation of the methodology you use in determining your rankings. While I do not agree with everything, it does have a certain logic to it, on the whole is as legitimate as any other method, and what the heck fun would sports be if there weren't something with which to argue. I also believe that, on the whole, and when taken on average, computer rankings are usually more reliable than the "human" polls.

I begin this letter in this manner because I want you to know that I appreciate the work you and the other computer pollsters do. It adds to the overall interest of the college game. I also want you to understand that when I ask my question, it is no way meant to be disrespectful.... Here is my question....

WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN RUTGERS IS #2????!!!!!

OK... I feel better now. Seriously, I know that most computer polls do have Rutgers within the top "5". My question is how is this possible. Even though they are undefeated, the SOS is around the mid-50s in most, if not all, of the computer polls. Their wins have not ben particularly lop-sided (though I know you do not take margin of victory into account). What in your formula accounts for their lofty ranking? Also, as a fan, do you believe that Rutgers is a top "5" team or is this just an anomaly?

Thank you for your time and courtesy in reading this letter.

Here is his reply:

LOL!!!!!!....i loved your note, especially the way you presented it.....not to be disrespectful but...."what the hell???, lol! How cool.

But, your wrong about one thing, i don't have Rutgers #2, i have them #3. In answer to your question about how Rutgers could make it so high on their SOS....hmmmm....well, yes, it is around in the 50's, but i have Ohio State's as 44, so it is COMPARABLE....that's the key. When it comes to SOS it varies so greatly each week until the schedule is 100% played out. For instance, Ohio State's will zoom after they play Michigan, Rutgers will zoom after the play West Virginia (assumming WVU still only has 1 loss).

Going undefeated on a schedule ranked in the upper half of 1-A is worthy of a Top 5 ranking.....IF and catch this now....IF everyone else has a loss. Remember USC, Notre Dame, Arkansas, Florida......they all did lose a game. At least give Rutgers credit for being undefeated. If those teams were undefeated, Rutgers wouls be ranked BELOW all of them for sure.

Now.....big answer here....do i believe Rutgers is really that good? I do not believe they are in the league of Ohio State or Michigan, absolutely not....but yes, i believe they could play A GOOD GAME with the one loss teams......could they beat them?, sure they could with the right breaks on the right day....hell, if Oregon State can beat USC, sure Rutgers can! But the point is.....they could play pretty equal with them, i don't believe it would be a BLOWOUT.

I hope this helps shed some light on the way i feel. I do believe Rutgers deserves their ranking....for now. They need to watch out for Cincinnati though....that is a trap game for sure! Going on the road after such a big win. Anything can happen, just ask Cal, Auburn, or Texas, lol! Take care....enjoy the rest of the season!

Richard

 

Has anybody noticed that the top 10 strongest or hardest scheduled are dominated by Pac-10 teams??:cuss:

I don't understand this, check it out.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt06.htm

Here is the synopsis:

1- Stanford
2- USC
3- Washington
4- Cal
5- Arizona
6- WSU
7- UCLA
10- Oregon

I really don't get it. The Pac-10 has 2 teams in the top 25 polls and the SEC has 3 teams in the top 10 and 5 in the top 25 polls.

Yes a couple of those Pac-10 teams have some tough out of conference schedules, but certainly not all. By having essentially every Pac-10 team in the top 10 SOS rankings, aren't they calling that the toughest conference??

All I've heard this season is that the SEC is the toughest conference by the pundits.

 

Its stuff like this that makes me laugh when someone says the BCS is fair because it is done by computers and not humans. HELLO A$$CLOWNS, do the computers enter the data themselves and setup their own formulas? This is only for one of the computer polls, but I guarantee they all look similar.

 

:hihi:

I do a computer poll and realize that the PAC10 benefits by playing a bunch of mid-range teams while the low-range teams hurt the SEC. Something should be done to remedy that in my mind, BUT there is something to be said for the ability of a mid-range team to come up and bite you on the ass on any Saturday.

Just noticed the Ole Miss logo between the eyes. Hilarious. :rofl:

 

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

ND does not get passes in the computer polls because the computer polls do not say "hey, that's ND. I'll bump them up 5 spots... because they are ND".

Your reasoning is just off.

EDIT: It's been said many times that the only way you can compare two conferences is by comparing their out of conference schedules. That is the reasoning why the Pac-10 teams are listed as having the best schedules.

Fresno State and Tulane are having down years, and Arizona is a .500 team.

 

This is the crap I hate. Rutgers ranking is justified by saying they are worthy of #3, they should get credit for bla bla bla or they deserve the ranking because of this or that. I don't care what they deserve, rankings should be about who is the better team…period. Not about how hard they tried or what they were able to accomplish with the hand that was dealt them.

This quote says it all.

 

Kinda odd that he would start out his reply with a "LOL!!!!!!"
Personally, i think any of top ten would pound Rutgers. I don't much about them but when comparing them to the likes of OSU and such they just don't match up and OSU would probably dominate the lines....however you never know thats why you play the game. if they do make it, good for them, just dont' embarrass yourselves and prove that you deserve to be there.

 

Unfortunatley these teams are getting more credit for OOC schedule than any team's conference schedule. While I agree that it makes absolutley no sense to have an entire conference ranked as the top ten toughest schedules, the SEC has played a weak OOC and I believe these idiots look more at that than at a real conference schedule, you know, like playing 4 top ten teams on the road.