At least according to Kenneth Massey's computer, which claims Duke is the seventh-best team in the country.
Here's the scary part: Massey's rankings are one of six computer polls used in the Bowl Championship Series formula.
According to Massey's web site:
- These ratings are based on win-loss outcomes relative to schedule difficulty.
- Margin of victory is not used, and ratings don't reflect point differentials.
- Early season ratings will fluctuate significantly until a sufficient number
of games have been played.
Massey apparently factors in SAT scores, too. No. 2 is Northwestern and No. 3 is Vanderbilt.
The part I really don't understand, other than Duke having a loss to Northwestern, is that margin of victory is not a factor. Duke's wins are by 24, 10 and 28 points which would explain why a computer would like the Devils.
Just a guess, but Duke is likely getting credit for beating Navy, who beat Wake Forest, who beat Ole Miss, who beat Florida.
Comments
office space
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 18:51 — izzykareemdamn it....."i always forget to carry the decimal"
you mean Duke is in the top 100 right? They got beat by Northwestern, that's worse than losing to App State or EZU
Massey has already come out
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 14:33 — gvillegatrMassey has already come out and said not to put much stock into his rankings till after the 6th week. we'll see. good for DUIke ... right now.
Uh, Florida ...
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 14:17 — Anonymous (not verified)... means absolutely nothing using this guy's formula.
But, whatever.