Week 8 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Notre Dame, lest we forget, is providing a lot of proof so far.

You'll also note 1 loss Marshall flying up the rankings - it's due to beating Middle Tennessee, who beat Syracuse, who beat Clemson, and with only the one loss to NC State, there isn't much holding Marshall back otherwise (unlike Middle Tennessee or Syracuse who have much weightier losses despite the relationship to the Clemson victory).

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Georgia (nc)
  2. Alabama (nc)
  3. Notre Dame (+2)
  4. Penn State (nc)
  5. Michigan State (-2)
  6. UCF (nc)
  7. Wisconsin (+2)
  8. TCU (nc)
  9. Memphis (+1)
  10. Miami (+1)
  11. Oklahoma State (+1)
  12. Michigan (-5)
  13. Navy (nc)
  14. Toledo (+2)
  15. South Florida (+3)
  16. USC (-1)
  17. Ohio State (+2)
  18. Washington State (-1)
  19. North Carolina State (+8)
  20. Oklahoma (+4)
  21. Washington (+5)
  22. Marshall (+40)
  23. Stanford (-2)
  24. Clemson (+8)
  25. San Diego State (-5)

Week 7 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Cupcake Saturday turned into Upset Saturday, but when your former national champion loses to Syracuse, it highlights the need for empirical, evidence based rankings over speculation of the AP Poll or the seat of the pants wisdom of the committee.  Of course, the losses were far reaching, with Syracuse now suddenly in the loss network for every team Clemson previously beat, they are punished by the network accordingly.

Remaining relatively immune from all the upsets, Georgia, Alabama, and the top teams of the Big 10 advance strongly, with Notre Dame hovering in the five spot.  While Georgia is above Alabama, that distance is very, very small, with Georgia demonstrating a slightly better win network than Bama.  Penn State v Michigan this week as the process begins of sorting out the Big 10. who thus far have demonstrated themselves to be the best overall conference.

 

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Georgia (+1)
  2. Alabama (+7)
  3. Michigan State (+4)
  4. Penn State (nc)
  5. Notre Dame (nc)
  6. UCF (+2)
  7. Michigan (+7)
  8. TCU (+5)
  9. Wisconsin (+12)
  10. Memphis (+8)
  11. Miami (+9)
  12. Oklahoma State (+7)
  13. Navy (+16)
  14. Iowa (-2)
  15. USC (-12)
  16. Toledo (+31)
  17. Washington State (-16)
  18. South Florida (+22)
  19. Ohio State (-8)
  20. San Diego State (-10)
  21. Stanford (-6)
  22. Virginia (+2)
  23. Boise State (+10)
  24. Oklahoma (-8)
  25. Georgia State (+31)

Week 6 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Michigan's loss creates significant chaos in the rankings, as one would expect.  Michigan State claws into the top 10, despite their loss o Notre Dame, who likewise benefits from Sparty's win.  With LSU's win over Florida, Mississippi State makes a return to the top 25, for the time being.  This week, San Diego State has an opportunity to build further evidence with Boise State.  

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Washington State (nc)
  2. Georgia (+1)
  3. USC (-1)
  4. Penn State (+5)
  5. Notre Dame (+8)
  6. Clemson (+1)
  7. Michigan State (+16)
  8. UCF (-3)
  9. Alabama (+1)
  10. San Diego State (-4)
  11. Ohio State (+6)
  12. Iowa (+23)
  13. TCU (-2)
  14. Michigan (-10)
  15. Stanford (-3)
  16. Oklahoma (-2)
  17. Auburn (+13)
  18. Memphis (-3)
  19. Oklahoma State (-1)
  20. Miami (+7)
  21. Wisconsin (+3)
  22. Texas Tech (-1)
  23. Troy (+15)
  24. Virginia (+15)
  25. Mississippi State (+22)

Week 5 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Strength in the PAC12 after this week as Washington State and USC (who played each other) both climb.  Though USC lost to Washington State, three of the teams that USC previously beat (Western Michigan, Stanford, Texas) won their games, providing a net boost to USC despite their loss.  Alternatively, Georgia, who the Trojans jumped this week, didn't gain as much from beating the Vounteers, and previous opponents Appalachian State and Mississippi State both lost their games.  A similar but more dramatic effect of a team winning but the value of the win not keeping them caught up with others can be see with Oklahoma, who beat Baylor but gained so little from it that they fell 9 spots (or, also, Ohio State, who the Sooners beat, getting very little out of Rutgers).

The Trojan's boost, likewise, makes Washington State's win over the Trojans all the more valuable, catapulting them into the #1 spot.  Other big movers this week - take note of UCLA, who, on a bye week, gets catapulted upward with the Texas A&M win.  UCF, likewise, remains undefeated, but caution should be exercised for the Florida teams, most of which we have very limited information about as they have few games due to cancellations and postponements from Hurricane Irma.  This lack of information has potential impacts throughout the network, resulting in less information than normal at this point in the season.  We can expect some big swings for the next couple weeks as more information in the form of wins/losses develops.

Looking forward, Alabama has a big opportunity this week to demonstrate their worth against the Aggies, and potentially climb into the top 4.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Washington State (+12)
  2. USC (+1)
  3. Georgia (-1)
  4. Michigan (-3)
  5. UCF (+24)
  6. San Diego State (nc)
  7. Clemson (-3)
  8. Florida (+1)
  9. Penn State (-2)
  10. Alabama (-2)
  11. TCU (+1)
  12. Stanford (+24)
  13. Notre Dame (+2)
  14. Oklahoma (-9)
  15. Memphis (+10)
  16. Kentucky (-2)
  17. Ohio State (-7)
  18. Oklahoma State (+17)
  19. UCLA (+41)
  20. Texas A&M (+51)
  21. Texas Tech (-10)
  22. Navy (-2)
  23. Michigan State (+26)
  24. Wisconsin (+7)
  25. South Florida (-7)

 

Week 4 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

First ranking of the year now that all NCAA teams have played at least one other opponent.  Michigan is well in the lead followed by Georgia.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Michigan
  2. Georgia
  3. USC
  4. Clemson
  5. Oklahoma
  6. San Diego State
  7. Penn State
  8. Alabama
  9. Florida
  10. Ohio State
  11. Texas Tech
  12. TCU
  13. Washington State
  14. Kentucky
  15. Notre Dame
  16. Wake Forest
  17. Minnesota
  18. South Florida
  19. Louisville
  20. Navy
  21. Duke
  22. South Carolina
  23. Virginia Tech
  24. Washington
  25. Memphis

2017 State of World Liberty Index

by Patrick Rhamey

The State of World Liberty Index was a combination of indices compiled originally in 2006 by Nick Wilson.  Since then, I've periodically updated the index.  My methodology is similar to the original with the following exceptions: I use only the civil liberties portion of Freedom House, economic liberty (Fraser/Heritage) is weighted evenly with social liberty, and the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Scores are of equal weight to each of the Freedom House Civil Liberties sub-components.  All changes are done with the purpose of creating the most accurate relative ranking of countries by the degree of liberty (economic and social) enjoyed by the average individual within the state or territory.  Note, the ranking is not reflective of, nor does it include, political or electoral rights.  Where data is available, territories or colonies (e.g. Hong Kong) are included.

Also please note, rankings used to create the below are typically delayed by one to two years.  So they do not reflect any recent events or changes in leadership that may have occurred within the past 6-12 months.

2017 Liberty by Quintile.  Colors represent countries grouped by quintiles in order of blue (top 20%), green (20-40%), yellow (40-60%), orange (60-80%), and red (80-100%).

2017 Most Free Countries:
1. New Zealand
2. Switzerland
3. Canada
3. Australia
5. Finland
5. Luxembourg
5. Ireland
5. Norway
5. Sweden
5. Netherlands

2017 Most Oppressive Countries:
1. North Korea
2. Libya
2. Syria
4. Eritrea
5. Venezuela
6. Cuba
6. Turkmenistan
8. Equatorial Guinea
9. Iran
10. Central African Republic
10. Uzbekistan

2017 Five Year change in Liberty.  Blue is an increase in rank by >20 and green >10 since 2013.  Orange is a fall in rank of >10 and red >20 since 2013.

2017 Greatest 5 Year Increases:
1.  Cote d'Ivoire
2. Tunisia
3. Fiji
4. Georgia
5. Burkina Faso
6. Lesotho
7. Togo
7. Mali
9. Latvia
9. Seychelles
9. Myanmar
9. Zimbabwe

2017 Greatest 5 Year Declines:
1. Turkey
2. Guinea
2. Maldives
4. Honduras
4. Ghana
6. Thailand
7. Lebanon
7. Zambia
9. Djibouti
9. Barbados
9. Bahamas

Post-Bowl Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Alabama holds on to number one even with the Clemson loss.  Clemson's wins, after beating Alabama and Ohio State) are more valuable, but Clemson's loss to Pitt is also more weighty, albeit the gap is quite narrow.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Clemson (+5)
  3. Ohio State (nc)
  4. Western Michigan (-2)
  5. Wisconsin (+1)
  6. Washington (-1)
  7. USC (+3)
  8. Michigan (-4)
  9. Stanford (+2)
  10. Florida State (+7)
  11. Penn State (-2)
  12. Oklahoma (+3)
  13. Tennessee (+6)
  14. Florida (+10)
  15. Northwestern (-1)
  16. LSU (+5)
  17. Minnesota (+1)
  18. Iowa (-6)
  19. South Florida (+10)
  20. Nebraska (-12)
  21. Georgia Tech (+6)
  22. Virginia Tech (+12)
  23. Utah (+3)
  24. Miami (+15)
  25. Colorado (-12)

Final End of Season Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Nothing changes in the final end of season ranking in the top 4.  If the CFPC is interested in sending the top four teams, those teams are Alabama, Western Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan.  Assuming they will overlook Western Michigan, they should add Washington.  

Typically in the top 5-10 you have a series of 1 loss teams with not-so-bad losses to either an undefeated team or another 1 loss team who lost to an undefeated team, and as a result, the conference championships tend to sort out these one loss teams before the final ranking is released.  This is not the case this year, beyond Alabama and Western Michigan, with all other teams having significant losses.  Further, while Western Michigan may have inferior wins to Alabama, Ohio State, or Michigan, they have better wins than Washington, as further evidence of their quality.  The chaos of this year, the most significant of any season since the Network Ranking began, highlights the importance of an unbiased, objective, evidence based method of organizing wins and losses to determine who truly earned a playoff berth.

Assuming the CFPC is set on leaving out WMU, they should have Ohio State and Michigan play a rematch from the epic game a couple weeks back on a neutral field and let Washington try their hand at Alabama.  You send Penn State to the Rose and Clemson to the Orange because the evidence just isn't there with both teams having lost to Pitt.  Furthermore, in Clemson's case, their wins just aren't there either, having the worst quality best win (Florida State) among any of the teams the CFPC is likely to consider for the playoff.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Alabama
  2. Western Michigan
  3. Ohio State
  4. Michigan
  5. Washington
  6. Wisconsin
  7. Clemson
  8. Nebraska
  9. Penn State
  10. USC
  11. Stanford
  12. Iowa 
  13. Colorado
  14. Northwestern
  15. Oklahoma
  16. West Virginia
  17. Florida State
  18. Minnesota
  19. Tennessee
  20. Washington State
  21. Houston
  22. LSU
  23. Texas A&M
  24. Boise State
  25. Florida

Week 13 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Following the Ohio State win over Michigan, and setting aside undefeated Western Michigan as the playoff committee is senseless, we see a very good case for two possibilities.  First, the Big 10 likely deserves 2 teams in the playoff, and an argument is better made for 3 if Wisconsin beats Penn State than 1.  Second, there is a very good argument, particularly if Penn State wins the Big 10, that Ohio State (and Michigan) be included and not the Big 10 champion.  Finally, at the moment, before knowing the outcome of conference championships, at present it would seem Washington is more deserving of a playoff spot than Clemson.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Western Michigan (nc)
  3. Ohio State (+1)
  4. Michigan (-1)
  5. Wisconsin (nc)
  6. Washington (+1)
  7. Clemson (+1)
  8. Nebraska (-2)
  9. Iowa (+3)
  10. USC (+5)
  11. Stanford (-2)
  12. Penn State (-2)
  13. Colorado (-2)
  14. Northwestern* (+2)
  15. Minnesota (+6)
  16. Florida State (+6)
  17. Oklahoma (+2)
  18. West Virginia (+6)
  19. Tennessee (-5)
  20. Washington State* (-2)
  21. Boise State (-4)
  22. Houston (+1)
  23. Texas A&M (+2)
  24. LSU (+6)
  25. Florida (-12)

Week 12 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

No changes in the top 4.  With continued chaos further down the rankings, it only highlights the problem of overlooking Western Michigan.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Western Michigan (nc)
  3. Michigan (nc)
  4. Ohio State (nc)
  5. Wisconsin (nc)
  6. Nebraska (+1)
  7. Washington (-1)
  8. Clemson (+1)
  9. Stanford (+2)
  10. Penn State (+2)
  11. Colorado (+3)
  12. Iowa (+1)
  13. Florida (+7)
  14. Tennessee (+4)
  15. USC (+7)
  16. Northwestern* (-1)
  17. Boise State (+2)
  18. Washington State* (-8)
  19. Oklahoma (+5)
  20. Louisville (-12)
  21. Minnesota (+7)
  22. Florida State (-1)
  23. Houston (+11)
  24. West Virginia (-8)
  25. Texas A&M (nc)

Week 11 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Poor Western Michigan.  No respect.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Rankings)

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Western Michigan (+2)
  3. Michigan (-1)
  4. Ohio State (+4)
  5. Wisconsin (+4)
  6. Washington (-1)
  7. Nebraska (+3)
  8. Louisville (-2)
  9. Clemson (-6)
  10. Washington State* (+1)
  11. Stanford (+4)
  12. Penn State (+2)
  13. Iowa (+17)
  14. Colorado (-1)
  15. Northwestern* (+10)
  16. West Virginia (+6)
  17. Troy (-10)
  18. Tennessee (+2)
  19. Boise State (-7)
  20. Florida (-1)
  21. Florida State (-5)
  22. USC (+2)
  23. Utah (+4)
  24. Oklahoma (+5)
  25. Texas A&M (-4)

*FCS wins and losses not included in network.

Week 10 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Gone is A&M.  Hello Western Michigan (Sorry Washington), though, as the weeks progress, if Washington can beat Wazoo and SC (as well as probably Colorado in the PAC 12 championship) they should easily move into the top 4 on their own.

The repercussions of A&M's loss to Mississippi State are far reaching, as Auburn's plummet illustrates.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Michigan (nc)
  3. Clemson (nc)
  4. Western Michigan (+1)
  5. Washington (+1)
  6. Louisville (+1)
  7. Troy (+2)
  8. Ohio State (+4)
  9. Wisconsin (+4)
  10. Nebraska (+1)
  11. Washington State* (+3)
  12. Boise State (+4)
  13. Colorado (+7)
  14. Penn State (+1)
  15. Stanford (+2)
  16. Florida State (+9)
  17. Auburn (-11)
  18. Arkansas (-8)
  19. Florida (nc)
  20. Tennessee (+2)
  21. Texas A&M (-17)
  22. West Virginia (+2)
  23. North Carolina (+5)
  24. USC (+2)
  25. Northwestern* (-2)

*Network does not include FCS wins or losses.

Week 9 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Better late than never.  The Network Ranking and the Playoff Committee are in agreement where it matters.

With Baylor's loss to Texas, there is only 1 Big 12 team in the Top 25: #24 West Virginia.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Michigan (nc)
  3. Clemson (nc)
  4. Texas A&M (+1)
  5. Western Michigan (+1)
  6. Washington (+3)
  7. Louisville (+5)
  8. Auburn (+6)
  9. Troy (+8)
  10. Arkansas (+5)
  11. Nebraska (-1)
  12. Ohio State (+7)
  13. Wisconsin (+7)
  14. Washington State* (-3)
  15. Penn State (+6)
  16. Boise State (-12)
  17. Stanford (+5)
  18. Iowa (+6)
  19. Florida (-3)
  20. Colorado (+3)
  21. LSU (+4)
  22. Tennessee (-15)
  23. Northwestern* (-5)
  24. West Virginia (-16)
  25. Florida State (+3)

*Network does not include FCS wins or losses.

Week 8 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

The tide rolls on.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Alabama (nc)
  2. Michigan (+2)
  3. Clemson (-1)
  4. Boise State (+2)
  5. Texas A&M (-2)
  6. Western Michigan (+1)
  7. Tennessee (+3)
  8. West Virginia (+7)
  9. Washington (-1)
  10. Nebraska (-1)
  11. Washington State (nc)*
  12. Louisville (nc)
  13. Baylor (+4)
  14. Auburn (+6)
  15. Arkansas (-2)
  16. Florida (nc)
  17. Troy (+1)
  18. Northwestern (+4)*
  19. Ohio State (-14)
  20. Wisconsin (+1)
  21. Penn State (+19)
  22. Stanford (-8)
  23. Colorado (+7)
  24. Iowa (-5)
  25. LSU (-2)

*Ranking does not include FCS wins or losses.

Week 7 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Alabama has now earned the #1 spot.  

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Alabama (+1)
  2. Clemson (+2)
  3. Texas A&M (-2)
  4. Michigan (-1)
  5. Ohio State (+5)
  6. Boise State (+1)
  7. Western Michigan (-1)
  8. Washington (nc)
  9. Nebraska (nc)
  10. Tennessee (-5)
  11. Washington State (+2)
  12. Louisville (nc)
  13. Arkansas (+9)
  14. Stanford (+4)
  15. West Virginia (+1)
  16. Florida (+7)
  17. Baylor (+3)
  18. Troy (+6)
  19. Iowa (+8)
  20. Auburn (+1)
  21. Wisconsin (-6)
  22. Northwestern (+3)
  23. LSU (+6)
  24. Idaho (+45)
  25. Florida State (-11)

*Note, wins and losses against FCS opponents are not included in the ranking.  This may have a significant impact on Washington State and Northwestern (and by extension, Idaho, Stanford, and Iowa).

Week 6 Network Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

Defeating last week's #1, Texas A&M is back in first place for the second time this season.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Texas A&M (+4)
  2. Alabama (+1)
  3. Michigan (+1)
  4. Clemson (-2)
  5. Tennessee (-4)
  6. Western Michigan (nc)
  7. Boise State (+1)
  8. Washington (+1)
  9. Nebraska (+1)
  10. Ohio State (+5)
  11. Virginia Tech (+15)
  12. Louisville (nc)
  13. Washington State* (+22)
  14. Florida State (+14)
  15. Wisconsin (-4)
  16. West Virginia (+9)
  17. North Carolina (+7)
  18. Stanford (+2)
  19. Georgia (+14)
  20. Baylor (-4)
  21. Auburn (+9)
  22. Arkansas (-7)
  23. Florida (-10)
  24. Troy (-7)
  25. Northwestern** (+13)

*Note, the Network doesn't include the negative effects of Washington State losing to Eastern Washington, as only 1-A teams are coded. They catapult upward this week due to defeating Stanford.  The absence of the EWU loss has no significant impact on Wash St.'s win network, but it does fail to capture loss network for Eastern Washington's impact.  However, because Eastern Washington has lost only to North Dakota State, who is undefeated, even if 1-AA teams were included, Washington State would probably remain in the top 25 for 1-A teams, albeit further down the list (this particular week).

**A similar issue lies with Northwestern's loss to Illinois State, who has lost 4 games in a row since defeating the wildcats.  Unlike Washington State, if 1-AA teams were included, Northwestern would be dramatically further down the ranking.  Ole Miss sits at #26.  Northwestern rose so much on a bye week because of Duke and Iowa's wins (and on down the chain).

This is the first time 2 teams that have lost to  1-AA teams have squeaked into the top 25 - usually if a team loses to a 1-AA team, they keep losing to 1-A teams and its not an issue.  In all likelihood this will resolve itself as both teams play out their seasons.  Why not code the 1-AA teams as well?  While it would make for a more comprehensive ranking, it would take too much time, and given the limited connections between 1-A  and 1-AA, would only improve things by the end of the season marginally.

Week 5 Network Rankings

by Patrick Rhamey

Week 5 saw some strong wins, catapulting 4 teams ahead of Texas A&M.

One thing to remember - the ranking is evidence based, not speculation based.  All we know this week is that Tennessee has shown more evidence through quality of wins than Alabama, not that Tennessee would beat Alabama if the two were to play.  Also note, Alabama's rise 5 spots isn't due entirely to beating Kentucky, but also (and more) due to Ole Miss and USC, both of which Alabama previously defeated, winning.

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking)

  1. Tennessee (+1)
  2. Clemson (+1)
  3. Alabama (+5)
  4. Michigan (+5)
  5. Texas A&M (-4)
  6. Western Michigan (nc)
  7. Houston (+7)
  8. Boise State (+5)
  9. Washington (+15)
  10. Nebraska (nc)
  11. Wisconsin (-7)
  12. Louisville (-5)
  13. Florida (+2)
  14. Arkansas (-3)
  15. Ohio State (+8)
  16. Baylor (+4)
  17. Troy (+4)
  18. Miami (+12)
  19. Air Force (+20)
  20. Stanford (-1)
  21. Georgia Southern (+4)
  22. Maryland (+22)
  23. Navy (-11)
  24. North Carolina (+32)
  25. West Virginia (+4)

Week 4 Network Rankings

by Patrick Rhamey

Now that all college football teams are interconnected in some way, the first round of network rankings is available.  With a series of early, strong wins, there's a few surprises to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Top 25 (Full Ranking; Explanation)

  1. Texas A&M
  2. Tennessee
  3. Clemson
  4. Wisconsin
  5. Wake Forest
  6. Western Michigan
  7. Louisville
  8. Alabama
  9. Michigan
  10. Nebraska
  11. Arkansas
  12. Navy
  13. Boise State
  14. Houston
  15. Florida
  16. Arizona State
  17. TCU
  18. Florida State
  19. Stanford
  20. Baylor
  21. Troy
  22. Utah
  23. Ohio State
  24. Washington
  25. Georgia Southern

2016 State of World Liberty Index

by Patrick Rhamey

The State of World Liberty Index was a combination of indices compiled originally in 2006 by Nick Wilson.  Since then, I've periodically updated the index.  My methodology is similar to the original with the following exceptions: I use only the civil liberties portion of Freedom House, economic liberty (Fraser/Heritage) is weighted evenly with social liberty, and the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Scores are of equal weight to each of the Freedom House Civil Liberties sub-components.  All changes are done with the purpose of creating the most accurate relative ranking of countries by the degree of liberty (economic and social) enjoyed by the average individual within the state or territory.  Note, the ranking is not reflective of, nor does it include, political or electoral rights.  Where data is available, territories or colonies (e.g. Hong Kong) are included.

Full Rankings are here.

2016 Liberty by Quintile.  Colors represent countries grouped by quintiles in order of blue (top 20%), green (20-40%), yellow (40-60%), orange (60-80%), and red (80-100%).

2016 Five Year change in Liberty.  Blue is an increase in rank by >20 and green >10 since 2012.  Orange is a fall in rank of >10 and red >20 since 2012.

2016 Most Free Countries:

1.  New Zealand
2. Switzerland
3. Canada
4. Australia
4. Ireland
6. Finland
6. Netherlands
6. Denmark
6. Chile
6. Luxembourg

2016 Most Tyrannical States

1. North Korea
2. Syria
3. Eritrea
4. Turkmenistan
5. Cuba
6. Venezuela
7. Libya
8. Uzbekistan
8. Iran
8. Equatorial Guinea

Colored maps modified from images at outline-world-map.com

Post-Bowl Ranking

by Patrick Rhamey

No surprises here.  

Top 25 (Explanation; Full Ranking):

  1. Alabama (+2)
  2. Clemson (-1)
  3. Ohio State (+2)
  4. Notre Dame (-2)
  5. Stanford (+4)
  6. Oklahoma (+2)
  7. TCU (+4)
  8. Iowa (-4)
  9. Michigan State (-2)
  10. Michigan (+7)
  11. LSU (+9)
  12. Ole Miss (+17)
  13. Wisconsin (+8)
  14. Utah (+1)
  15. Houston (-3)
  16. Navy (-2)
  17. Northwestern (-11)
  18. Baylor (+15)
  19. Georgia (+5)
  20. Florida (-2)
  21. Mississippi State (+2)
  22. Texas A&M (-6)
  23. Oklahoma State (-10)
  24. West Virginia (+4)
  25. Toledo (+9)