FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is CFB Power Board?
CFB Power Board publishes independent computer power ratings, rankings, weekly picks, and a playoff projection for every NCAA football team in FBS, FCS, Division II, and Division III, calculated only from game results.
How are the rankings calculated?
Every completed game is treated as evidence about the gap between two teams. All games are solved together for the ratings that best explain the results, adjusting for home field, softening blowouts, rewarding wins, and weighting recent weeks slightly more. The full formula is on the methodology page.
Do polls or preseason rankings affect the ratings?
No. The only inputs are scores, opponents, venues, and dates. Polls, recruiting rankings, and preseason expectations are never used.
How often are the rankings updated?
During the season the site checks for new results every morning and several times across Saturday night, and republishes when anything changes. Allow a few hours after a game ends for it to appear.
How accurate are the picks?
This 2026 season the model has picked the winner in 72% of graded games, using only results from earlier weeks for every projection. Each week's graded picks are published on the site.
Why is a team with more losses ranked above an unbeaten team?
The power rating measures how good a team is, not how many games it has won. A team that lost close games to elite opponents and dominated everyone else can rate higher than an unbeaten team with a weak schedule. The résumé rank, which measures accomplishment, often orders them differently.
What is the difference between power rank and résumé rank?
Power rank orders teams by strength and drives the game projections. Résumé rank orders teams by wins above what a top-25 team would expect against the same schedule, and drives the playoff projection.
Can I use the rankings or data?
Yes. The rankings and the downloadable JSON data are free to share and reuse, including commercially, under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, as long as you credit CFB Power Board.
Are the projections betting advice?
No. Projections are statistical estimates for information and entertainment. The model does not know about injuries, weather, or depth charts.
Is CFB Power Board affiliated with the NCAA or the College Football Playoff?
No. CFB Power Board is independent and is published by Lemony Click, LLC. It is not affiliated with the NCAA, the College Football Playoff, or any conference or school.
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