Methodology
How the CSR is Calculated
A plain-English explanation of what goes into each team's rating.
The Headline Number
CSR is a progressive number that takes into account four totals based strictly on wins and losses.
Win points
Who have you beat? A win over a team nets you 1 point, with additional portions of a point depending on the quality of the conference of the opponent.
If a college football conference has a winning record against five of the other eight conferences, then a win against a team from that conference would tally 1.625 points: 1 point for the win, and the additional .625 for the quality of the opponent's conference.
Loss points
Who have you lost to? A loss nets you -1 point, with additional portions of a point depending on the conference quality of the opponent.
If a conference has a winning record against five of other eight conferences, that leaves three conferences against which they do not have a winning record. A loss against a team from that conference would net -1.375 points: -1 point for the loss, and an additional -.375 for the "lack of quality" of the opponent's conference.
Opp Win Points
For opponents a team has beaten, who have THEY beaten, with additional value being given to wins over more successful conferences.
Opp Loss Points
For opponents a team has lost to, who have THEY lost to, with additional value being given to losses against less successful conferences.
Why "common sense"?
Poll voters consistently veer away from the point of the poll: to rank teams based on what has happened on the field. The Common Sense Rankings look to take the subjective and make it objective. No favoritism, no assumptions, just wins and losses.