Colley's Bias Free Matrix Rankings An Official Bowl Championship Series Ranking for 2001–2006
The Colley Matrix Method
(Please note: This method is copyright. I present it here for
anybody to peruse and evaluate, and perhaps use for personal
amusement. Please contact
me directly, however, before using it for any other purpose)
Colley's matrix method for ranking college football teams is explained in
detail, with many examples and explicit derivations. The method is based on
very simple statistical principles, and uses only Div. I-A wins and losses as
input—margin of victory does not matter. The scheme adjusts effectively
for strength of schedule, in a way that is free of bias toward conference,
tradition, or region. Comparison of rankings produced by this method to those
produced by the press polls shows that despite its simplicity, the scheme
produces common sense results.
Wesley N. Colley
