The MacQuarrie Strength of Schedule Index represents a significant advancement in college football analytics by providing mathematical, bias-free rankings that could fundamentally change how teams are evaluated for championship consideration. This new system addresses long-standing concerns about human bias in traditional polling methods that have influenced college football rankings for decades.
Unlike the current system where human voters in the Coaches Poll and AP rankings often bring intentional or unintentional bias to the process, the MacQuarrie Index relies exclusively on mathematical calculations. Coaches frequently protect their own programs in voting, while writers juggle deadlines and narratives that can skew results. The consequence has been teams with weaker schedules sometimes leapfrogging more deserving opponents in rankings.
The Index will deliver updated, bias-free rankings every week throughout the 2025 college football season, determined solely by performance on the field and the quality of opponents faced. By ranking the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven best-performing teams based strictly on mathematical criteria, the system ensures the National Championship Playoff always includes the best 12 teams rather than just the most famous programs.
Mike MacQuarrie, historian and author of 15 sports books, developed the system with inspiration from his Scottish heritage and Clan MacQuarrie's tradition of unbiased competition. In Scotland's Highland Games, as MacQuarrie notes, bias was unthinkable—strength, endurance, and skill spoke louder than opinion. He brings that same principle to college football, letting performance rather than politics decide rankings.
Beyond the weekly rankings, the MacQuarrie Index will enhance the fan experience by highlighting traditions and culture that define college football. The platform will feature Player of the Week and Coach of the Year selections by an advisory council of former players and coaches, lists of the toughest stadiums and most storied rivalries, and insights into mascots, marching bands, and tailgate traditions. Additional content available at https://macquarriesosi.com will include blog posts and fan discussions that maintain engagement throughout the season.
The introduction of this mathematical approach to strength of schedule calculation could have substantial implications for college football programs, media coverage, and fan engagement. By removing human bias from the ranking equation, the system creates a more transparent and equitable process for determining which teams deserve championship opportunities. This objectivity could particularly benefit programs from smaller conferences that have historically struggled against bias in traditional polling systems.
For the college football industry, the MacQuarrie Index represents a shift toward data-driven decision making that could influence how conferences, media organizations, and the playoff selection committee evaluate team performance. The system's mathematical foundation provides a consistent framework that could become a standard reference point for all stakeholders in college football, potentially reducing controversies surrounding playoff selections and creating more meaningful conversations about team quality based on objective criteria rather than subjective opinions.
