PSR FAQ

This is everything you need to know about the PSR Ratings. Probably more. Please check here first before sending me e-mail with questions about the ratings. It'll save us both time.

Last updated 10/19/07

What's the formula?

I'm not telling.

Oh, c'mon! Give us a hint!

Hey, when Sagarin tells you his, I'll tell you mine.

At least tell us what goes into it!

OK. The formula only cares about who played, who won, by how much and where the game was played. Prior season data, and when the game was played are not considered.

Hey! Didn't you say MOV shouldn't be used in computer rankings?

I don't think MOV should be used in the BCS computer rankings unless the programmers are going to tell the coaches exactly how it's being used. I also think the computer rankings used by the BCS should be open and accountable.
Furthermore, I feel more strongly about MOV in basketball rankings than in football rankings. MOV in basketball can be deceiving because of the way the end of the game is played. That doesn't happen nearly as much in football. Also, in basketball, you have about three times as many games for each team. With so little data in football, MOV is more useful in helping to split hairs.

Besides MOV, how is the PSR different that the computer ratings used by the BCS?

It's hard to say exactly. One difference is that I know my own formula, but I know only one of the BCS computer rating formulas. To see what I know about the BCS computers, click here.

Is the PSR part of the BCS?

No. It is not part of the BCS. It does not try to estimate the BCS. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the BCS. And vice versa.

Is it like the RPI?

It is in the sense that I'm more concerned about measuring what teams have accomplished than trying to predict who would win theoretical games between teams (or who has already won actual games between teams, for that matter).

What is SOS?

It's the strength of schedule for this rating system (as opposed to the old BCS SOS).

What does PSR stand for?

Draw your own confusion, or read the copyright notice.

Why did you do this?

I don't get enough hate mail.

Why should we care what you think?

I'm not going to argue that you should.

Why are your ratings better than anyone else's?

They're not necessarily better. They simply reflect what I consider to be important in evaluating team performance. It's possible for right-thinking people to have differing opinions as to what is important.
Also, I consider them to be a work in progress. I may change the formula sometime.

Are you hoping to get added to the BCS formula someday?

Is that you, Mr. Hancock? All kidding aside, the BCS wants nothing to do with me or my ratings.

What? You still want to know more? E-mail your questions to me at jppalm@collegerpi.com.