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An optimisation method for ranking college football teams

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  • Mohsen Hamidi
  • Mehdi Seifbarghy

Abstract

This study presents a new optimisation method for ranking college football teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The ranking method is referred to as rating discrepancy minimisation ranking method (RDMRM). The RDMRM takes the strength of schedule, margin of victory, number of wins and losses, and conference championship factors into account. In this research, a rating discrepancy metric is defined, and a new mathematical optimisation model is developed to minimise the mean and standard deviation of rating discrepancies for all games. Incorporating the standard deviation results in balanced minimisations of rating discrepancies. To assess the reliability of this new ranking method, the RDMRM rankings are compared with the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. The comparison analysis shows that the results of postseason games are more consistent with the RDMRM rankings. The analysis also indicates that the RDMRM rankings are more proportional to the competitiveness of postseason games.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohsen Hamidi & Mehdi Seifbarghy, 2026. "An optimisation method for ranking college football teams," International Journal of Operational Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 56(2), pages 187-208.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijores:v:56:y:2026:i:2:p:187-208
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