hard... well, it wasn't that hard, evidenced by the fact that i basically only had the motivation to write this over the course of probably 5 different nights, mostly between 2-5AM, during all of which, i was completely hammered. by the next day, i wasn't even sure what id done. reading the teams in was slightly annoying but not difficult. the only part i really focused on was making sure the ranking algorithm was good. i would dare to claim my rankings are the most accurate of any done. tough to say because its so subjective but i put a ton of thought into making them accurate. it might sound easy, until you think, how do you compare OR's record setting run at UCONN (the only 3 straight NT titles in d1 history, 5 titles in 8 years), when d1 tark was very young, with the run clone made at iowa state two or three years later, in a very competitive and different world, when tons of teams were established? or one of the many runs made by lostmyth in different worlds?
the rankings still aren't perfect. for example, during rail's legendary 5 straight, 8 title in 9 year run, he was pulling down *incredible* players from d1, including 2 star players. however, it seemed like 10% of the population knew how to pull down. admin claimed it was impossible, and most people blindly believed what they said, assuming the game creator knew his own product better than anyone (bad assumption, in this case). his feat is still one of the greatest ever, there is no question about that, but the reality of the pulldown situation just makes it easier than in a more stable time, i think - how could i possibly factor that it? it would be so subjective i think. same goes with early in potential. it was a new game, and that is when I had my greatest success. i simply adapted faster than other coaches. while there is something to be said for adapting ahead of other coaches - its easier to have the success i did, when i did, than during a stable time in the game, when everyone is used to the new stuff. but how do i discount that? thats why ive put my disclaimer out a couple times, i think its still in the first post in my dynasty list index, claiming this list is not really meant to declare who the best coach is, or what the best run is, its more for entertainment purposes, but at the same time, by and large, they are pretty damn accurate in most cases. especially the current dynasty lists - everyone is competing in the same time, on those lists.
one final comment - i don't mean ANY of that to suggest i am not open to criticism or feedback on the lists. if you can find a ranking where the #8 team is less successful than #9, id love to hear the case for it. most people would say, if #10 is worse than #20, tell me. but i tried to refine these enough that if you really think you can make a convincing case for *ANY* two teams being out of order, i'd love to hear it. its very interesting to me, and trying to make these rankings very accurate, was by far the most fun part of the project.
5/26/2012 11:33 PM (edited)