Students create own ranking systems
By ERIC CHANOWICH and ERIC SENDLEBACH
Notre Dame, meet the Sendwich Index. "Sendwi-what?" you ask. The Sendwich Index is an objective, performance-based, automated system for ranking the collective relative performances of all Division 1A college football teams. Try saying that ten times fast.
In contrast to the A.P. and Coaches' polls, the Sendwich Index does not rely on a popular vote or human adjustment. Rather, it uses a computerized system to evaluate the relative quality of teams based on who, where, when and how they perform.
The Sendwich Index was conceived and developed by Eric Chanowich and Eric Sendelbach, both senior computer science majors at Notre Dame. For those scoring at home, that's us.
We originally created the Sendwich Index as a final project for our Data Structures class taught by Jesus Izaguirre. Much to our surprise, the results were quite accurate.
Over the past five years, the Sendwich Index has correctly selected the consensus national champion. Additionally, in comparison with the final A.P. poll, we have selected 90 percent of the same top 10 teams over the past three years.
In order to gain some stability in the early weeks of the season, the Sendwich Index incorporates its own final rankings from the previous season. For those who believe that each team should start the season with a clean slate, don't be disheartened. A team's performance from the past season is gradually filtered out and completely disappears by the team's sixth game.
The "preseason factor" is evident for several teams. Of course teams may lose key players or make positive adjustments in the off-season, but this makes no difference to the Sendwich Index unless they prove themselves on the field.
Virginia Tech, for example, is currently ranked No. 19. The Hokies finished last season with an 8-4 record and a Sendwich ranking of 47. Coming off two solid wins they may seem underrated. However, VT has already jumped 28 spots. LSU dropped four to No. 10 with a road loss against a quality Virginia Tech team.
In the other big game of the week, after a close win at home against previously No. 14 Washington, Michigan moved up four spots to No. 16. Washington fell to No. 22.
So where does Notre Dame fall? At the end of last season, the Irish were ranked No. 58. After pounding Maryland, however, they have moved up 19 spots to No. 39. Perhaps this is a bit low, but give it time.
Note that the Sendwich Index includes only games played against other Division IA teams. Miami, Fla., for example, still has a record of 0-0 even though they easily defeated Florida A&M, a Division IAA team, this weekend.
Our Top 25 will appear right here every Tuesday. For further information on the dynamics of the Sendwich Index or to see complete current and past rankings, please visit www.sendwich.com.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 3, 2002
