D1 College Sports Ratings

About Us

Welcome to D1 Sports Rankings, the home of a data-driven, machine learning-based college ranking system designed to offer accurate, objective, and consistent team rankings throughout the season. Our goal is simple: to provide a ranking system that evolves intelligently with each week, allowing teams to be ranked consistently from the start of the season all the way to the end.

How We Rank

1. Machine Learning for Early-Season Forecasting: At the beginning of the season, we use machine learning algorithms to predict future team performance based on early game data, including margin of victory. This allows us to forecast the end-of-season rankings with a high degree of accuracy.
2. Shifting to Retrodictive Rankings: As the season progresses, we move toward retrodictive rankings, eliminating margin of victory from the calculation. This ensures that rankings reflect a team’s performance on the field and disincentivizes running up the score in blowout victories.

Why It Matters

Traditional rankings can often be swayed by preseason expectations, past success, or biased voting, leading to rankings that may not accurately reflect a team's true performance. By using a machine learning model that evolves with the data and focuses on actual results, we provide a ranking system that is consistent and grounded in evidence. Teams are ranked based on where they stand at any given moment, and our forecasts provide a glimpse into where they are likely to finish.

D1 Ratings. No Bias. Just Football.