A blazing finish to another amazing regular season end for ROTC left some teams wanting. One even took to karaoke to profess their desire to make the big dance, but GAME needed help from multiple other teams. In the end, he got that help, but could not help himself to the big bracket.
This year also raised questions about standings and the rules associated. It never really matters until the end. Here is a quick interview with the commish on those rules.
Shannon Sharpe: Listen up, fam! We’re diving deep into the heart of fantasy sports, and I’m your guide, Shannon Sharpe, bringing you the inside scoop. Now, we’ve got a special guest in the house – the man, the myth, the commissioner. Commish, welcome to the set! Let’s break it down for the folks at home: What are the basics on how the standings are set?
Commish: Thanks, Shannon. The standings involve four divisions and two conferences. Each one has four teams in it.
Shannon Sharpe: Now, Commish, let’s talk rankings – we got four divisions and two conferences in the mix. How do you determine who’s sittin’ on the throne and who’s scrapin’ at the bottom of the barrel? Break down the secret sauce for us. Is it all about the points, or you got some special commissioner magic goin’ on behind the scenes?
Commish: The core of any ranking is the straight up record. You have to win to be at the top. Period. But there is more.
Shannon Sharpe: Alright, Commish, I hear you loud and clear. The wins are the backbone, but I know there’s some special seasoning in that ranking recipe. What’s the special touch, the X-factor that separates the kings from the peasants in these four divisions and two conferences? Lay it out for us – is it tiebreakers, point differentials, or something else that keeps everyone on their toes?
Commish: So the secondary ranking is also pretty standard. You have to win inside your division. You play each rival twice in the year, so that is six games accounting for that record. That only ranks you within the division though. When you get to the end of the line, there has to be something else. That something also breaks the tie within the division, but when it comes to playoff seeds, this is the one that puts you across the finish line.
Shannon Sharpe: I’m tracking with you. Winning within the division – that’s a must. Six games against your arch-nemeses, no room for error. But you’re tellin’ me there’s a twist, a wildcard, if you will. Something that not only breaks ties within the division but also catapults you into that playoff spotlight. What’s the game-changer that separates the contenders from the pretenders when it comes to playoff seeds?
Commish: It is your power rank. A controversial stat indeed, mainly because it is not needed until the end. The power rank is a calculation. The league may take up consideration of a change here, as there is also an overall head to head figure to consider, as well as an “alternate ” power rank.
Shannon Sharpe: Ah, the power rank – the controversial wildcard that only comes out to play when the stakes are high. I love it! Now, break it down for us, Commissioner. What goes into this mystical calculation? And you’re tellin’ me there’s an overall head-to-head figure in the mix too? Plus, an ‘alternate’ power rank? It’s like we’re decoding fantasy hieroglyphics here. How do these factors spice up the competition and keep us all on the edge of our seats?
Commish: The calculation works like this:
- points per week per starter = A
- points per week per nonstarter = B
- all play wins per week = C
- actual wins = D
- division wins = E
- Power Rank = A+B+C+D+E
The other options are not in play straight up. As you can see, the all play wins is included. The alternate is not used, but I can provide the calculation.
Shannon Sharpe: You’re throwing in all the ingredients to this fantasy ranking gumbo, and I’m loving it! Now, you mentioned all-play wins and an ‘alternate’ power rank, even though it’s not in the limelight. Lay it on us – what’s the calculation that makes the power rank the unsung hero?
Commish: Well, like I said, it is not used, but it could be considered if the league feels it necessary in the offseason. Each team would be awarded points based on their rank in three categories (the best team would get 16 points and worst would get one). If a fantasy team leads the league in these three categories (best record, highest fantasy points scored, and best breakdown standings), its power ranking would be 48.
Power Ranking = ( Number of Teams – Record Rank + 1 ) + ( Number of Teams – Fantasy Points Scored Rank + 1 ) + ( Number of Teams – Breakdown Standings Rank + 1).
It is a clean option and easily determined, which is more attractive to some.
Shannon Sharpe: There you have it, folks! The commissioner has spilled the beans on the ranking game, and we’ve journeyed through the highs and lows of this fantasy league. Commissioner, it’s been a pleasure having you drop knowledge bombs on us. Thank you for your time.
