Until you beat Salem they are #1

[3puttcharlie]

buff said

 

[540teamz]

I wondered how they came up with that too. Why is Lake Taylor ranked higher than Salem, yet for 6A, Smith returns virtually everyone on a team that beat #6 Nationally Ranked Team & took Westfield to Triple Overtime but is #2 to them for 2016?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I wondered how they came up with that too. Why is Lake Taylor ranked higher than Salem, yet for 6A, Smith returns virtually everyone on a team that beat #6 Nationally Ranked Team & took Westfield to Triple Overtime but is #2 to them for 2016?

For once, Shaunty is correct. Purely statistical. I don't know the formula, but it obviously looks back at statistics over previous years, and gives a sliding scale value to previous results. For instance, Phoebus is ranked #1 over the two time reigning state champs, Magna Vista. (That rumbling you are hearing from out towards Ridgeway is not a 6.7 magnitude earthquake!)

 

[SpartanOfYore]

With the known talent LT has returning, and as many unknowns as Salem has on both lines and a few other defensive positions, I think it's reasonable at this point to rank LT number one.

I think between VHSL-Reference and Gilliam Ratings (wherefore art thou, Matt?!), one can get a pretty accurate picture of how teams stand relative to each other. It seems the later we go in (or after) the season, the more accurate both systems are.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Agree, but I like the VaPreps rankings best of all. Rod and crew are privy to a lot of info that only comes from good relationships with the coaches across the state.

I hope we will be seeing their picks soon. (Hint, hint, Rod?)

But, we all need to remember that nothing is ever as it seems.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Yes, the VaPreps poll completes the triumvirate. I like it because - as far as I know - that one is determined by the opinions of knowledgable observers, whereas the other two are two different numbers-based systems. So, you get a different perspective that helps complete the overall picture.