Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I, James Leroy Wilson, rank players and teams using objective data.
I don't have time for commentary this week as I spent more time fiddling with the college football rankings. I have simplified that formula but may change my mind next week. The methodology of both rankings is explained after the "About the Author" section.
NFL MVP CHASE STANDINGS AS OF OCTOBER 11, 2023
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles (5-0) 37
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers (5-0) 35
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers (5-0) 33
Jared Goff, QB, Lions (4-1) 31
(#4 tie) Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (4-1) 31
Jake Elliott, K, Eagles (5-0) 27
(#6 tie) Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins (4-1) 27
A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles (5-0) 26
(8 tie) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins (4-1) 26
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins (4-1) 25
Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs, (4-1) 24
Josh Allen, QB, Bills (3-2) 23
(#12 tie) Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers (3-1) 23
(#12 tie) D'Andre Swift, RB, Eagles (5-0) 23
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars (3-2) 22
(#15 tie) David Montgomery, RB, Lions (4-1) 22
Zack Moss, RB, Colts (3-2) 22
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs (4-1) 21
(#18 tie) Jake Moody, K, 49ers (5-0) 21
(#18 tie) Desmond Ridder, QB, Falcons (3-2) 21
(#18 tie) Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks (3-1) 21
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (3-2) 20
Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys (3-2) 19
(#23 tie) Matt Gay, K, Colts (3-2) 19
(#23 tie) Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers (5-0) 19
(#23 tie) Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks (3-1) 19
(#23 tie) Kenny Picket, QB, Steelers (3-2) 19
College Football Playoff Rankings
Ohio State (6-0) 108.0
Penn State (6-0) 105.0
Louisville (6-0) 104.0
Oklahoma (6-0) 103.0
North Carolina (5-0) 101.0
Michigan (6-0) 100.0
Washington (5-0) 99.0
Texas (5-1) 98.33
Florida State (5-0) 98.0
(#9 tie )Georgia (6-0) 98.0
(#9 tie ) James Madison (5-0) 98.0
Oregon (5-0) 97.0
Wyoming (5-1) 91.33
Liberty (5-0) 91.0
Ole Miss (5-1) 90.33
Alabama (5-1) 89.33
Air Force (5-0) 87.0
Utah (4-1) 87.0
(#18 tie) Washington St (4-1) 87.0
Notre Dame (4-2) 86.42
USC (6-0) 86.0
West Virginia (4-1) 84.0
Iowa (5-1) 83.33
Oregon State (5-1) 83.33
Duke (4-1) 83.0
Memphis (4-1) 83.0
UCLA (4-1) 83.0
Missouri (5-1) 82.33
Wisconsin (4-1) 82.0
Miami FL (4-1) 82.0
About the Author
James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe) and JL Cells (subscribe) and is a monthly columnist at Meer. Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.
MVP Chase Methodology
For each game, I will look at the winning team. Then I will rank its top eight statistical performers using fantasypros scoring. I'll give 8 points to the team's top performer, 7 to the next-best, and so on. Then their points are added to their previous points in victories to give the current-week total.
Week 1 totals (No formal Power Rankings)
College Football Rankings Methodology
The team's winning percentage + the combined record of its opponents expressed as the number of games above (or below) .500. For instance, Ohio State's winning percentage is 100 and the opponents the Buckeyes have played are a combined eight games over .500, so their rating is 108. USC's winning percentage is also 100 and its opponents are a combined 14 games under .500, so its rating is 86. Texas at 5-1 is rated higher than some undefeated teams because their opponents are a combined 15 games over .500.
The rating has less to do with any talent disparity between the teams (or which team is theoretically "better"), but rather with which teams most deserve a playoff bid.