Week 1 Rankings Are Out

OK, so the rankings formula I devised back in December of 2007 wasn't without some flaws, one of which being a complete clusterfuck of ratings in week 1. So there's a 72-way tie for first place. Don't worry, as the weeks go on, the ratings will become increasingly more accurate and mindblowing. It's just that every team that won this week (all 72 of them) has the same maximum score since every corresponding losing opponent has a 0% winning percentage. Like I said, it'll work itself out in the coming weeks.

In lieu of awarding a #1 ranking to 72 teams, I've decided to select one representative for the spot: Arkansas State. The Red Wolves (isn't that a beer or an energy drink?) defied the traditional role of Sun Belt teams in the non-conference portion of the schedule—that of the sacrificial lamb or one of Richard Gere's gerbils—and beat a 2007 bowl team from a top conference... at their home. But take heart, Aggies. You're still #9 in the rankings. Until next week, when you should plummet to around #74. But, hey, it's a short week, so you've got that going for you.

While the inordinate number of ties only leaves around 40 actual rankings, I will specially award San Diego State with the #120 spot. The only thing worse than losing to a Sun Belt team at home is losing to a I-AA school at home. Way to go, Aztecs! Don't worry... if the Mayans were right, we've only got four years to live anyway.

Big Ten–haters might want to take note that the Top 10 is littered with Big Ten teams:

1. Arkansas State (72-way tie) 5.000
   
2. Ohio -4.042
   
3. Michigan -4.071
   
4. Tennessee -4.100
5. Northern Illinois -4.118
6. Virginia Tech -4.167
7. Michigan State -4.171
8. Illinois -4.182
9. Texas A&M -4.190
10. Oregon State -4.205
11. Mississippi State -4.320
12. (tie) Utah State/Pittsburgh -4.333
13. (tie) Pittsburgh -4.333
14. Memphis -4.386
15. Middle Tennessee -4.412
16. Western Michigan -4.460
17. UAB -4.479
18. SMU -4.492
19. Akron -4.512
20. (tie) UTEP -4.556
    
21. (tie) UL-Lafayette -4.556
22. Miami (OH) -4.568
23. Syracuse -4.606
24. Washington State -4.619
25. Rutgers -4.630