Understanding the Massey Ratings: A Partnership Between On3 and Kenneth Massey

On3 is proud to partner with Kenneth Massey, the creator of the widely respected Massey Ratings, to provide fans, athletes, and coaches with in-depth, objective insights into team performance across multiple sports. This collaboration brings an unparalleled level of accuracy and analysis to the coverage of college and high school sports, further enhancing On3’s commitment to delivering top-notch sports content and data.

What Are Massey Ratings?

Massey Ratings are a comprehensive, data-driven system used to rank sports teams based on their performance throughout the season. The system considers various factors such as game scores, location, strength of schedule, and more to provide a holistic view of a team’s relative strength.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What inputs does the Massey Ratings model use?

The Massey Ratings model considers the score, location, and date of each game played during the season. It evaluates the impressiveness of each win, factoring in whether the game was played at home or on the road, and how recent the results are. The model analyzes all games together, continuously reassessing the significance of each outcome based on other results.

2. How does the mathematical model work?

The model is designed to maximize the retrospective probability of the observed game results. It creates a “force” that pushes the winning team above the losing team, adjusting ratings to reach an equilibrium. This process causes a ripple effect throughout the network of teams, allowing for comparisons between geographically dispersed teams.

3. How is the margin of victory considered?

Each game’s score is translated into a probability that the winning team is indeed the better team. For instance, a narrow 27-24 victory might translate to a 58% probability, while a blowout of 45-14 could indicate a 98% probability. The model caps this at 100%, ensuring diminishing returns for excessively high scores.

4. Does the model account for different styles of play?

Yes, the model does not penalize teams with lower-scoring games. For example, a football team that wins consistently with scores like 24-10 may be rated more favorably than a team that frequently engages in high-scoring, close games.

5. How does the model handle strength of schedule?

The model simultaneously calculates ratings and strength of schedule. A team’s performance is evaluated relative to the quality of its opponents. This allows the model to accurately compare teams with different schedules, such as one team that went 9-1 against weaker competition and another that went 6-4 against a more challenging schedule.

6. Are mismatches considered in the ratings?

The model derives most of its information from games between teams of similar strength. There is little incentive to schedule weaker opponents, as the reward for winning is limited, and the potential downside from an upset is significant.

7. How does the model handle head-to-head results?

While head-to-head results are important, the model considers the entire season’s performance, or “body of work,” when determining rankings. A single upset does not necessarily align with the overall rankings, which are designed to fit the entire season’s data.

8. How are early-season ratings calculated?

Early-season ratings require about five games per team to become accurate. To produce reasonable early-season ratings, the model incorporates results from the previous two seasons as starting points. These initial values gradually lose influence as the current season progresses.

9. Is the model objective?

Yes, the Massey Ratings model treats all teams equally and anonymously, without regard for name brands or affiliations. It assesses teams based solely on their performance, whether they are at the top or in the middle of the pack.

10. What is the difference between a team’s rating and power?

A team’s rating reflects the impressiveness of its resume, giving more credit to wins regardless of dominance. In contrast, a team’s power is indicative of its true strength, with components that measure offensive and defensive capabilities.

Conclusion

The partnership between On3 and Massey Ratings brings an objective and analytical approach to sports rankings, further solidifying On3’s role as a leader in sports media. Whether you’re a fan, athlete, or coach, understanding the Massey Ratings can provide deeper insights into team performance and the factors that contribute to their success.