One of the top complaints about the BCS Era is the role computers had in ranking CFB teams. In fact, the role of computers in these rankings (especially in the later years) is often overblown, but it’s an easy target to complain about. In fact, these complaints specifically are part of what drove the shift to the current CFB Playoff model with a voting selection committee.
So, when preparing to do this year’s preseason rankings, we thought – why not revisit the concept of a computer poll? If done right, it’s a great way to do predictions at scale and remove personal biases.
So, without revealing the underlying formula, we took data sets of the most important inputs to the quality of a college football team’s on field performance, adjusted they’re waiting until 2021 data best predicted 2022 results, and then re-ran that predictions formula with 2022 data to get a preseason ranking for 2023.
You may love the results or hate them, based on where your team is. That being said, you definitely can’t accuse us of any bias here.
We’ll be releasing conference rankings in the lead up to kickoff on August 26th, as well as a full preseason Top 25. Follow us on Twitter and turn on notifications to stay in the loop!
CFB Select 