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This week’s edition of the wacky MCubed college football rankings are as shocking as ever. Not only does the latest release see a one-loss team ranked at No. 2, but a Group of Five squad that’s not even eligible for a bowl game rounds out the Top 5.
We’ve followed the computer standings over the last few weeks, and each update provides a new surprise.
The first list we saw came in early October, seeing Miami atop the rankings. A head-scratching loss to Georgia Tech would end that run, providing followers with a new No. 1 the following week.
Ohio State made the cut as the nation’s best team followed by Penn State and Oklahoma. The Buckeyes would later beat the Nittany Lions to push their Big Ten foe further down the poll.
Last week gave us yet another No. 1 with the Sooners making the jump from No. 3 despite being on a bye.
Here’s a recap of the criteria taken into account in this odd college football rankings system.
The site calculates these standings with a variety of variables. Wins and losses come first, though point margin is rewarded. Teams that win by eight points or more receive a boost.
Opponent win percentage is also taken into account as a way of measuring strength of schedule, and it takes things a step further by noting opponents’ opponent record.
Bad losses are punished, particularly those against FCS teams, and point differentials are broken down into OT results, 1-3 points wins, 4-8 point wins, and 8+ point wins.
Wacky college football rankings have Texas at No. 2, JMU at No. 5
This week’s list might be the most interesting we’ve seen thus far. Ohio State has regained its hold at No. 1, seeing Oklahoma fall to No. 3 after a less than spectacular win over Central Florida.
The team in between? Texas.
That’s right. The same Longhorns team Oklahoma took down head-to-head in the Red River Rivalry. Despite being 6-1, the poll ranked Texas ahead of five undefeated Power Five teams. That includes defending champ Georgia, Florida State, and Michigan, too.
MCubed also lists three undefeated Group of Five squads in the Top 11 in James Madison, Liberty, and Air Force. JMU, who’s not eligible to play in a bowl game this year, is a national title contender according to the site.
More interesting notes:
- Georgia, though undefeated, is at No. 13 behind 10th-ranked Alabama
- No. 9 Utah will face No. 16 Oregon this Saturday
- Pitt is the worst P5 school at No. 126
- Akron is the worst team in the country at No. 133
This week should provide more entertainment, and undoubtedly more changes in the next MCubed poll.