Merit Rankings

Each team's results are analyzed based on the following factors: opponent level (Power Four, Group of Five, FCS); game venue (home, road, neutral); possession-based margin of victory/defeat; and opponent record. Each win produces a positive value; although, some can be minuscule (e.g. an overtime win at home against a winless FCS opponent). Each loss produces a negative value; although, some can be minuscule (e.g. an overtime loss on the road against an undefeated Power Four opponent). Opponent level increases in conference championship games at both the Power Four and Group of Five levels (FCS teams are not analyzed at this point). A team's cumulative wins value minus its cumulative losses value produces its overall merit rating. No rankings were produced for the 2020 season due to the varying number of games teams played because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NOTE:  Notre Dame is considered a Power Four program; Oregon State and Washington State are still considered Power Four programs as of 2024.