Quick
Explanation of Scores
- Attendance:
Home attendance average over the last three years divided by
10,000. Avg. Score: 4.35
- APR: The most recently released Academic Performance
Rate. Avg. Score: 5.45
- Quality Wins: Wins over D-I teams that finished with
a winning record. Avg. Score: 5.45
- Total Wins: Wins over D-I teams. Avg. Score:
17.02
- Players Drafted: Number of players drafted
divided by two. Avg. Score: 2.95
- Conference Win %: Conference winning percentage
times 10. Avg. Score: 4.97
- Elite Wins: Wins over D-I teams that finished with
two losses or fewer, or on the road over teams that finished
with three losses or fewer. Add an additional 0.5 for an Elite Win
over a two-loss team
on the road. Avg. Score: 0.82
- Bad Losses: Losses to teams that finished with
four wins or fewer, or any loss to a non-D-I team. Subtract
each loss from the overall total. Subtract an additional 0.5
for each bad loss at home. Avg. Score: 1.2
40. NC State
Score:
45.58
2005 Ranking: 37
2004 Ranking: 31
2003 Ranking: 35
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
5.41 |
6 |
8 |
17 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
4.17 |
45.58 |
Program Analysis: The
drop wasn't as big as expected considering the 11-3 2002 season doesn't
count in the mix anymore. The 17 wins are the lowest in the top 40, but
the rest of the scores are just good enough to add up to a decent
ranking. The Elite Win came at Virginia Tech in 2004.
41. Oregon
Score:
45.47
2005 Ranking: 53
2004 Ranking: 21
2003 Ranking:
15
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
5.81 |
2 |
9 |
22 |
6 |
0 |
1.5 |
6.67 |
45.47 |
Program Analysis:
The 10-2 2005 season helped move the Ducks back in the right direction
after a big fall last year. The players must be spending so much time
modeling their lousy uniforms that they forgot to go to class. The APR
Score needs work and there could stand to be more big wins. Six Quality
Wins are way too low for a program as strong as this one. The Bad Loss
came in the opening day shocker against Indiana in 2003.
42. Ole Miss
Score:
45.22
2005 Ranking: 45
2004 Ranking: 44
2003 Ranking: 43
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
5.64 |
9 |
8 |
16 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
4.58 |
45.22 |
Program Analysis:
With the big 10-3 2003 season still on the books, Ole Miss has actually
moved up despite winning seven games in the last two years. The APR
Score saved the day, and the Draft Score wasn't all that bad. However,
expect a huge drop next year if 2006 doesn't rock. The 16 wins are the
lowest in the top 53.
43. Purdue
Score:
45.09
2005 Ranking: 34
2004 Ranking: 38
2003 Ranking: 31
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
6.17 |
3 |
11 |
21 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
5.42 |
45.09 |
Program Analysis:
The program's first losing season since 1996 meant a drop out of the
30s, but things can quickly pick up with more Big Ten wins. The NFL
players have come through West Lafayette, but they haven't been going to
class enough with a low APR Score. Only one team ranked higher than the
Boilermakers has as few Quality Wins.
44. Northwestern
Score:
44.82
2005 Ranking: 69 2004 Ranking: 75
2003 Ranking: 63
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
2.99 |
9 |
4 |
19 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
5.83 |
44.82 |
Program Analysis:
Randy Walker's legacy lives on as the program is in great shape after a
strong three season run with two bowl appearances and 19 wins in the
last three years. The conference winning percentage is surprisingly high
and the APR Score, as expected, is fantastic. New head man Pat
Fitzgerald has to find a way to crank out wins with a team undergoing
several personnel changes.
45. Northern Illinois
Score:
44.53
2005 Ranking: 51
2004 Ranking: 54
2003 Ranking:
64
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
2.43 |
2 |
1 |
23 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
7.60 |
44.53 |
Program Analysis:
You'd think the Huskies would be higher after all the success over the
last three seasons. The Conference Winning Percentage Score is fantastic
and the overall wins are there, but the off-the-field scores are awful.
The Attendance Score will always be mediocre and the Draft Score could
use a boost. A better APR Score would bring the quickest change.
46. Arkansas
Score:
43.77
2005 Ranking: 26
2004 Ranking: 18
2003 Ranking:
27
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
6.52 |
7 |
9 |
17 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3.75 |
43.77 |
Program Analysis:
Head coach Houston Nutt had better hope all the changes and the solid
recruiting classes pay off quickly. After being in the top 20 two years
ago, the Hogs tumbled quickly after two straight losing seasons. Another
rough year might mean another big drop with the 9-4 2003 season out of
the mix.
Ole Miss is the only team in the top 53
with fewer D-I wins over the last three years.
47. Missouri
Score:
43.71
2005 Ranking: 63
2004 Ranking: 72
2003 Ranking: 93
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
5.63 |
5 |
5 |
19 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
4.58 |
43.71 |
Program Analysis: The
Tigers have been doing well under Gary Pinkel, but they can't seem to
get over the hump and be a true player in the Big 12 title chase. The
numbers are decent across the board, but nothing stands out. Call this
ranking a microcosm of
the program at the moment; everything's just slightly
above-average.
48. Arizona State
Score:
43.52
2005 Ranking: 47
2004 Ranking: 67
2003 Ranking:
55
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
5.93 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
4.58 |
43.52 |
Program Analysis:
Doesn't this seem sort of low for a program with all the fireworks that
this one produces? The horrible APR Score hurts, and the Attendance
Score could stand to be better. Sun Devil fans have been waiting for
more wins from head coach Dirk Koetter, and they're starting to come.
The Bad Loss came to Arizona in 2004. The Elite Win came over Iowa
earlier that year.
49. Washington State
Score:
43.48
2005 Ranking: 23
2004 Ranking: 15
2003 Ranking:
39
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
3.31 |
6 |
8 |
18 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
4.17 |
43.48 |
Program Analysis:
Two straight losing seasons has caused a nosedive after a stunning No.
15 ranking in 2004. Losing four games last year by three points and one
by four didn't help. The Attendance Score is an issue and the 41.7
conference winning percentage since a strong 2003 is a problem. It's an
easy solution for the Cougars; win and move up.
50. Michigan State
Score:
43.47
2005 Ranking: 54
2004 Ranking: 47
2003 Ranking:
49
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
7.39 |
3 |
7 |
18 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
4.58 |
43.47 |
Program Analysis:
John L. Smith's program hasn't been sharp over the last two years going
1-7 past November 30th to blow shots at going to a bowl game. The
Attendance Score is there, the Draft Score and Quality Wins aren't all
that bad, and now the team has to start winning more. The APR is lousy,
but the Elite Wins over Notre Dame last year and at Minnesota in 2003.
51. Navy
Score: 43.40
2005 Ranking: 75
2004 Ranking: 101
2003 Ranking:
109
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
3.14 |
10 |
0 |
23 |
2 |
0 |
1.5 |
6.76 |
43.40 |
Program Analysis:
From 109 in 2003 to being on the verge of the top 50 in three years,
it's hard to argue with anyone who wants to put Paul Johnson among the
nation's best head coaches. Navy won 26 games in the last three seasons
after winning 27 in the previous seven, but only two of those wins came
against teams that finished with a winning record. The APR Score
certainly doesn't hurt things, but Navy can't get much higher with the
low Attendance and Draft Scores always going to be a problem. The Bad
Loss came at home against Delaware in 2003.
52. Minnesota
Score:
43.19
2005 Ranking: 55
2004 Ranking: 60
2003 Ranking: 65
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
4.69 |
4 |
3 |
23 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
5.00 |
43.19 |
Program Analysis: The
ten-win 2003 season won't count in next year's rankings, so this needs
to be a big season to prevent a drop. Considering the relative success
under Glen Mason, this is a low ranking because of the low Draft and APR
Scores. For a big-time Big Ten program in a major metropolitan city, the
Attendance Score isn't strong. That should change with the new stadium
coming in a few years. The Bad Loss came in a 30-21 clunker at Indiana
in 2004.
53. Bowling Green
Score:
42.98
2005 Ranking: 50
2004 Ranking: 48
2003 Ranking:
72
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
1.78 |
4 |
2 |
23 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
7.20 |
42.98 |
Program Analysis: The
23 D-I wins are more than 22 higher ranked teams, but the low Draft and
Attendance Scores keep the Falcons down among the average. The
Conference Winning Percentage Score is fantastic and the overall wins
are nice, but there's only so high the program can go if it doesn't get
more in the other categories.
54. Texas A&M
Score:
42.85
2005 Ranking: 41
2004 Ranking: 50
2003 Ranking:
29
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
7.68 |
4 |
10 |
15 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
4.17 |
42.85 |
Program Analysis: R.C.
Slocum was canned because the powers-that-be feared the program was
sliding into mediocrity. 15 D-I wins in three years under Dennis
Franchione isn't exactly what everyone had in mind. The Attendance Score
is solid and the Draft Score is fantastic, but the program desperately
needs wins. Expect them to come early on this year with a relatively
soft opening nine games before dates with Oklahoma, Nebraska and at
Texas.
55. New Mexico
Score:
42.56
2005 Ranking: 57 2004 Ranking: 68
2003 Ranking:
70
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
3.69 |
3 |
2 |
20 |
7 |
1.5 |
0 |
6.36 |
42.56 |
Program Analysis: New
Mexico has been consistently average over the last few years, and it
shows in the rankings. The low Attendance, Draft and APR Scores hurt,
but the wins in Mountain West play help and the Quality Wins were a big
boost to this year's score. The Elite Win cam in a 47-35 win at Utah in
2003.
56. South Carolina
Score:
42.12
2005 Ranking: 58 2004 Ranking: 45
2003 Ranking:
37
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
8.04 |
3 |
9 |
18 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4.58 |
42.12 |
Program Analysis:
After years of average play under Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier came in and
led the program to it first bowl game since 2001 (although the team
passes on a bid in 2004 because of the season-ending brawl with
Clemson). The rabid Gamecock fans are always going to fill the house
through thick and thin. Considering USC is one of the SEC's better
academic institutions, the low APR Score is embarrassing.
57. Kansas State
Score:
41.62
2005 Ranking: 32
2004 Ranking: 22
2003 Ranking:
11
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
4.72 |
4 |
7 |
17 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
4.40 |
41.62 |
Program Analysis: New
head man Ron Prince has work to do to stop the major slide. After
shocking the college football world in 2003 with a Big 12 title, KSU has
won just eight D-I games in two years. The best win of the bunch was
against Missouri in Bill Snyder's final game, but there hasn't been
anything else of note. Considering the Wildcats aren't likely to be in
for an average season, expect a huge fall next year when the 11-4 2003
season isn't in the formula.
58. Oregon State
Score:
40.32
2005 Ranking: 42
2004 Ranking: 55
2003 Ranking: 50
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
3.82 |
3 |
10 |
18 |
6 |
1 |
1.5 |
5.00 |
40.32 |
Program Analysis:
Oregon State has had its moments
over the last five years, but maintaining a
consistently high level in a tough league like the Pac 10 has been a
problem. Stadium expansion will help the Attendance Score over the next
few years, and the Draft Score is solid. The Bad Loss came at home last
year against Arizona.
59. Connecticut
Score:
39.72
2005 Ranking: 64
2004 Ranking: 90
2003 Ranking:
101
|
Attendance Score |
APR Score |
Draft |
Wins |
Quality Wins |
Elite Wins |
Bad Losses |
Conf. |
TOTAL |
|
3.88 |
9 |
2 |
19 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3.85 |
39.72 |
Program Analysis:
It's easy to forget that head coach Randy Edsall had to build
the program from the ground up. UConn wasn't even in the big leagues
until 2000, and then it took a little bit of time to get on solid
ground. Now Edsall has things in place to start making some noise
soon in the Big East. 19 D-I wins over the last three seasons is a
great start. The high APR Score certainly doesn't hurt.