The second annual Academic BCS Rankings are out from Higher Ed Watch. The rankings measure the academic performance of the players on the football teams playing in this year's bowl games. In Cincinnati, we are thrilled that the University of Cincinnati football team won it's first Big East Championship and will be playing in its first BCS Bowl Game (the Orange Bowl). Here are the Top 10 schools in the Academic BCS rankings (along with each school's academic performance score):
- Boston College (122)
- Northwestern (110.5)
- Penn State (107.5)
- Cincinnati (97.5)
- Ball State (85)
- TCU (73.5)
- Oklahoma State (66)
- Boise State (64)
- Utah (60.5)
- Virginia Tech (55.5)
Here is a description of the methodology:
The formula starts with the team's most recent federal graduation rate, which includes four classes of players who entered college between 1998 and 2001 and graduated within six years of initial enrollment. Then, each team gains or loses points based on (A) the gap between the team's graduation rate and the overall school's graduation rate and (B) the gap between the team's black-white player graduation rate disparity and the overall school's disparity. Finally, the team gains or loses points if its Academic Progress Rate exceeds or falls below the Division I-A median. For more detailed information on the formula, see last year's blog post and this comprehensive explanation. For all of the data from this year and last year, click here.
(Hat Tip: Chaz Perin.)
