Power Points system a joke; insult to football fans’ intelligence

One of these days, we’ll live like the Jetsons.

We’ll drive to work, or rather fly, in our neatly clad space mobiles, cruising through the air without a care in the world, honking in a careless stupor as we pass a 500 mph speed limit sign.

At home, things will be just as pleasant as we’ll have personalized robots who will do our bidding, whether that means futuristic chores or cooking futuristic food for our futuristic bellies.

Oh yeah, we’ll also have specialized computers that will be able to do hours, if not days, of work in an instant.

Yeah, life surely will be a breeze when we’re partying it up in the year 2154.

But guess what? We’re not there yet.

And until we are, we need to quit letting Jetson-like methods rank 2011 prep football teams.

Louisiana’s power ratings system is a joke, there’s really no other way to say it.

The theory is sound with the goal being to reward the best teams in the start with an unbiased and concrete formula based both on a team’s wins and also the wins of all of the opponents they’ve faced in a season.

But several flaws are found inside the formula, and the system needs to be fixed fast.

The first is schedule strength.

Sure, I applaud teams who step up to the plate and play the best teams they can in non-district competition.

That’s admirable and I applaud coaches who book stiff competition for their teams.

But is losing 56-0 to a powerhouse better than beating an average Joe 21-17?

In Louisiana’s George Jetson-style power rankings, it is about one in the same.

To anyone with sense, it’s not.

We should reward teams for winning games. Instead, we give ’em pats on the back for losing, but only if it’s to a team that’s very good.

Besides, a team has to play who is on its schedule.

If you’re in a weak district, you’ll probably win a lot of games. Likewise, you’ll probably be punished with an equally weak power ranking score. Why?

Is it your fault you’re the best team in your area? Is it your fault that you’ve beaten all of your competition by 28 points? To Mr. Spacely’s computers, it is your fault.

Again, to anyone with common sense, it’s not. Because of course, one team cannot control how its rivals prepare for a season.

The second reason why power rankings is a joke are what they don’t take into account, margin of victory.

I get it. I get it. I get it.

We don’t want teams running up the score on one another.

We want to promote sportsmanship. We want to protect the egos of 16-year-old men.

I get it. I get it. I get it.

But what I don’t get is why if one team beats John Doe High School 56-10, but another beats ’em 21-20, why do they get the same amount of power points for the victory?

I’m the first person to say a win is a win, but I’m also the first person to say a big win is better than a little win.

Blowouts should matter.

It’s a sure-fire measure of being able to tell what teams are truly elite and what others are reaping the benefits of a strong or weak schedule.

I know I’m rambling, but there is an awful lot of meat to this argument.

Let’s let the numbers do the talking.

In Class 5A, West Monroe is currently ranked No. 27 because of a schedule filled with out of state opponents and/or weaker in-state competition.

Forget the fact that the Rebels are a virtual lock to reach the state semifinals, if not the state finals.

Also forget the fact that they outscored their first five opponents by a 169-65 margin.

The Rebels are ranked No. 27 and would currently be set to play not one, but two road playoff games to start the playoffs.

Find me 26 Class 5A teams better than West Monroe, Mr. LHSAA worker.

You can’t.

Your system is broken.

In Class 4A, it’s the same and the naked eye shows that Belle Chasse is ranked No. 10, despite a 6-0 record and a 245-72 total victory margin for the season.

These guys beat everyone by 40+, but there are nine teams better than them, Mr. LHSAA worker?

Again, I think your computer is either frozen or just downright doesn’t work.

I lean toward the latter.

The biggest monstrosity occurs in 3A where our local brethren, the Patterson Lumberjacks are ranked No. 16.

Anyone who’s seen Patterson play knows they are a wildebeest and total blowout machine.

But the Lumberjacks have a weak district filled with cupcake opponents.

Of course, the LHSAA thinks that’s the Jacks’ fault, so they are currently ranked No. 16.

Uhh? No. 16?

They are ranked No. 2 in the latest LSWA poll.

No. 16?

If you take every team ranked No. 20-29 and merge their rosters, the Jacks would still have more Division I college prospects than that super squad.

No. 16?

I’m confused.

You should be, too.

Futuristic life will be a blast someday.

But for now, let our local media decide our playoff teams.

We know what’s good and what’s bad far more than the LHSAA or its computers ever will.

The numbers speak for themselves.

I’m not ready to be a Jetson just yet.

Power Rating Brain Farts

Looking at a few rankings that TPT Sports Editor Casey Gisclair say have missed the mark:

Class 5A:

West Monroe ranked No. 27

Reason ranking is what it is. Out-of-state opponents and weak non-district schedule.

Reason ranking is wrong. The Rebels talent and reputation as an annual contender to reach the Superdome.

South Lafourche ranked No. 52

Reason ranking is what it is. Weak non-district schedule and weak district

Reason ranking is wrong. Close losses and blowout wins over John Ehret and Terrebonne.

Class 4A:

Belle Chasse ranked No. 10

Reason ranking is what it is. Weak opponents in non-district schedule.

Reason ranking is wrong. Team has blown out everyone in its path, establishing itself as a top-tier team.

Class 3A:

Patterson ranked No. 16

Reason ranking is what it is. District filled with a few winless opponents.

Reason ranking is wrong. The Jacks are undefeated with all blowout wins. E.D. White is ranked No. 10 with multiple losses.