(09-11-2017 07:33 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  A lot of these rankings (eg Sagarin) are "weighted" based on prior years and other factors. Sagarin gives NDSU credit for years prior to last year still. This is phased out as the season progresses and the teams are more "connected"

Bottom line is these algorithmic ratings become more accurate as the season progresses. Stats and Coaches polls are the ones I view as significant for now, as it may have some influence at playoff time in determining seeds.

People forget that NDSU has been a semifinal appearance at worst for seven consecutive seasons now. They have not been eliminated earlier in the playoffs them the semifinals since they became eligible for the FCS playoffs beginning in 2010.

These computer models give them credit because they continue to win the overwhelming majority of the time.