VI METHODOLOGY

How the Victory Index is built.

Victory Index is a data-driven ranking system designed to compare college programs across football, basketball, and baseball. The goal is simple: reward winning, strength, consistency, offensive production, defensive performance, and recent momentum.

1. Weekly Data

Stats are imported weekly from sports data APIs and stored by sport, team, season, week, and stat category.

2. Normalized Scores

Raw stats are converted into comparable scores so teams can be ranked fairly within each sport and season.

3. VI Ranking

Each team receives one Victory Index score. Higher scores indicate stronger overall performance.

Victory Index = Winning Score + Offensive Score + Defensive Score + Momentum Score + Strength Adjustment

Core ranking factors

Factor
What it measures
Winning Score
Rewards wins, winning percentage, and overall record strength.
Offensive Score
Measures scoring production, yards, efficiency, run production, or points depending on sport.
Defensive Score
Rewards teams that limit opponents, prevent scoring, and control games defensively.
Momentum Score
Tracks recent form, weekly improvement, streaks, and late-season movement.
Strength Adjustment
Adjusts for opponent quality, conference strength, and difficulty of schedule when available.

Sport-specific logic

🏈 Football

  • Wins and losses
  • Points scored
  • Points allowed
  • Total yards
  • Turnover margin
  • Strength of schedule

🏀 Basketball

  • Winning percentage
  • Points per game
  • Opponent points allowed
  • Scoring margin
  • Recent streaks
  • Quality wins

⚾ Baseball

  • Wins and losses
  • Runs scored
  • Runs allowed
  • Pitching strength
  • Conference record
  • Season momentum

Why rankings may change weekly

Rankings update as new games are played and new statistical data is imported. A team can move up by winning, improving efficiency, beating stronger opponents, or showing better recent form.

A team can move down after losses, weak performance against lower-rated opponents, declining defensive numbers, or reduced momentum.