Return to the college football ratings index
Final power ratings for the 1998 season are listed below. Home field advantage for this year was .565 and the root for determining point spreads was 1.757.
The average home field advantage for this year is 3.79 points.
KEY: PR=Final power rating, PS=Pre-season power rating, SOS=strength of schedule.
| Rank | Team | PR | PS | SOS | PF | PA | Wins | Losses | Pct | Conference |
| 1 | Tennessee | .927 | .843 | .716 | 33.15 | 14.54 | 13 | 0 | 1.000 | SEC |
| 2 | Ohio State | .897 | .837 | .664 | 35.83 | 12.00 | 11 | 1 | .917 | Big Ten |
| 3 | Florida State | .892 | .890 | .825 | 30.85 | 12.38 | 11 | 2 | .846 | ACC |
| 4 | Wisconsin | .854 | .625 | .545 | 31.83 | 11.92 | 11 | 1 | .917 | Big Ten |
| 5 | Kansas State | .836 | .790 | .564 | 46.92 | 15.15 | 11 | 2 | .846 | Big 12 |
| 6 | Florida | .833 | .885 | .588 | 31.67 | 13.75 | 10 | 2 | .833 | SEC |
| 7 | Texas A&M | .828 | .684 | .837 | 23.93 | 15.29 | 11 | 3 | .786 | Big 12 |
| 8 | Arizona | .822 | .633 | .519 | 33.77 | 18.15 | 12 | 1 | .923 | Pac 10 |
| 9 | UCLA | .817 | .736 | .742 | 39.67 | 28.33 | 10 | 2 | .833 | Pac 10 |
| 10 | Air Force | .805 | .636 | .379 | 36.00 | 14.23 | 12 | 1 | .923 | WAC |
| 11 | Tulane | .786 | .447 | .279 | 45.00 | 24.58 | 12 | 0 | 1.000 | CUSA |
| 12 | Michigan | .781 | .848 | .682 | 27.62 | 18.08 | 10 | 3 | .769 | Big Ten |
| 13 | Nebraska | .777 | .908 | .731 | 31.00 | 15.85 | 9 | 4 | .692 | Big 12 |
| 14 | Georgia Tech | .765 | .563 | .587 | 35.50 | 24.58 | 10 | 2 | .833 | ACC |
| 15 | Penn State | .762 | .769 | .674 | 26.42 | 15.25 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Big Ten |
| 16 | Arkansas | .759 | .509 | .562 | 32.50 | 18.92 | 9 | 3 | .750 | SEC |
| 17 | Virginia Tech | .758 | .647 | .486 | 31.75 | 12.42 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Big East |
| 18 | Purdue | .752 | .602 | .716 | 34.15 | 21.23 | 9 | 4 | .692 | Big Ten |
| 19 | Virginia | .747 | .663 | .616 | 29.83 | 20.58 | 9 | 3 | .750 | ACC |
| 20 | Texas | .744 | .544 | .667 | 36.42 | 28.08 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Big 12 |
| 21 | Syracuse | .734 | .691 | .677 | 39.83 | 25.00 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Big East |
| 22 | Missouri | .729 | .527 | .706 | 27.83 | 19.67 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Big 12 |
| 23 | Georgia | .718 | .711 | .627 | 24.33 | 18.50 | 9 | 3 | .750 | SEC |
| 24 | Notre Dame | .717 | .709 | .606 | 27.33 | 20.67 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Independent |
| 25 | Miami (Florida) | .716 | .589 | .540 | 37.33 | 24.83 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Big East |
| 26 | Southern California | .708 | .668 | .729 | 26.62 | 18.54 | 8 | 5 | .615 | Pac 10 |
| 27 | Miami (Ohio) | .698 | .589 | .209 | 28.82 | 12.91 | 10 | 1 | .909 | MAC |
| 28 | Oregon | .690 | .658 | .608 | 39.42 | 27.33 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Pac 10 |
| 29 | Marshall | .684 | .462 | .125 | 31.15 | 18.15 | 12 | 1 | .923 | MAC |
| 30 | West Virginia | .675 | .584 | .538 | 34.17 | 22.25 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Big East |
| 31 | Colorado | .662 | .709 | .589 | 25.17 | 21.08 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Big 12 |
| 32 | Mississippi State | .659 | .587 | .599 | 26.92 | 19.69 | 8 | 5 | .615 | SEC |
| 33 | Colorado State | .653 | .691 | .514 | 28.75 | 21.92 | 8 | 4 | .667 | WAC |
| 34 | Kentucky | .650 | .491 | .665 | 35.92 | 31.25 | 7 | 5 | .583 | SEC |
| 35 | Michigan State | .638 | .637 | .699 | 28.00 | 24.50 | 6 | 6 | .500 | Big Ten |
| 36 | North Carolina State | .635 | .533 | .622 | 30.50 | 29.33 | 7 | 5 | .583 | ACC |
| 37 | Alabama | .630 | .656 | .726 | 20.92 | 23.92 | 7 | 5 | .583 | SEC |
| 38 | Central Florida | .625 | .456 | .192 | 35.73 | 19.00 | 9 | 2 | .818 | Independent |
| 39 | Southern Mississippi | .625 | .659 | .562 | 32.00 | 19.83 | 7 | 5 | .583 | CUSA |
| 40 | Wyoming | .611 | .587 | .467 | 20.18 | 19.55 | 8 | 3 | .727 | WAC |
| 41 | Texas Tech | .608 | .599 | .535 | 26.25 | 21.25 | 7 | 5 | .583 | Big 12 |
| 42 | Brigham Young | .602 | .613 | .396 | 28.71 | 20.71 | 9 | 5 | .643 | WAC |
| 43 | North Carolina | .597 | .777 | .581 | 24.00 | 23.58 | 7 | 5 | .583 | ACC |
| 44 | Washington | .593 | .769 | .745 | 25.25 | 28.58 | 6 | 6 | .500 | Pac 10 |
| 45 | Texas Christian | .572 | .319 | .457 | 22.25 | 19.58 | 7 | 5 | .583 | WAC |
| 46 | Idaho | .571 | .347 | .191 | 32.67 | 26.42 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Big West |
| 47 | Louisiana State | .559 | .724 | .710 | 30.64 | 25.36 | 4 | 7 | .364 | SEC |
| 48 | San Diego State | .550 | .533 | .488 | 20.25 | 20.33 | 7 | 5 | .583 | WAC |
| 49 | Oklahoma State | .550 | .527 | .647 | 27.55 | 26.91 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Big 12 |
| 50 | Mississippi | .550 | .609 | .470 | 23.33 | 22.83 | 7 | 5 | .583 | SEC |
| 51 | Louisville | .544 | .366 | .406 | 39.42 | 36.25 | 7 | 5 | .583 | CUSA |
| 52 | Utah | .536 | .557 | .239 | 30.82 | 20.64 | 7 | 4 | .636 | WAC |
| 53 | Louisiana Tech | .533 | .498 | .487 | 41.08 | 33.50 | 6 | 6 | .500 | Independent |
| 54 | Minnesota | .531 | .423 | .641 | 20.82 | 22.64 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Big Ten |
| 55 | Arizona State | .525 | .733 | .589 | 30.27 | 30.73 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Pac 10 |
| 56 | Toledo | .518 | .583 | .343 | 19.08 | 18.00 | 7 | 5 | .583 | MAC |
| 57 | Oregon State | .517 | .361 | .598 | 26.00 | 26.45 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Pac 10 |
| 58 | Rice | .515 | .521 | .556 | 21.36 | 23.36 | 5 | 6 | .455 | WAC |
| 59 | California | .503 | .499 | .647 | 16.64 | 22.82 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Pac 10 |
| 60 | Auburn | .493 | .765 | .846 | 15.09 | 21.36 | 3 | 8 | .273 | SEC |
| 61 | Oklahoma | .487 | .445 | .608 | 16.73 | 20.82 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Big 12 |
| 62 | Indiana | .486 | .388 | .685 | 22.27 | 27.73 | 4 | 7 | .364 | Big Ten |
| 63 | Southern Methodist | .474 | .451 | .528 | 18.75 | 20.67 | 5 | 7 | .417 | WAC |
| 64 | East Carolina | .465 | .534 | .351 | 24.91 | 27.00 | 6 | 5 | .545 | CUSA |
| 65 | Boston College | .464 | .446 | .589 | 24.82 | 28.27 | 4 | 7 | .364 | Big East |
| 66 | Nevada | .463 | .515 | .267 | 33.73 | 28.73 | 6 | 5 | .545 | Big West |
| 67 | Bowling Green State | .461 | .384 | .471 | 26.55 | 28.36 | 5 | 6 | .455 | MAC |
| 68 | Fresno State | .456 | .478 | .388 | 24.09 | 20.45 | 5 | 6 | .455 | WAC |
| 69 | Kansas | .442 | .499 | .566 | 25.45 | 31.00 | 4 | 7 | .364 | Big 12 |
| 70 | Western Michigan | .441 | .453 | .078 | 32.73 | 28.36 | 7 | 4 | .636 | MAC |
| 71 | Stanford | .438 | .592 | .675 | 23.73 | 33.18 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Pac 10 |
| 72 | Ohio | .426 | .484 | .380 | 24.45 | 27.55 | 5 | 6 | .455 | MAC |
| 73 | Tulsa | .418 | .348 | .503 | 20.18 | 23.45 | 4 | 7 | .364 | WAC |
| 74 | Rutgers | .399 | .241 | .472 | 18.73 | 34.18 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Big East |
| 75 | Army | .398 | .430 | .571 | 23.36 | 29.55 | 3 | 8 | .273 | CUSA |
| 76 | Baylor | .396 | .414 | .791 | 17.73 | 29.36 | 2 | 9 | .182 | Big 12 |
| 77 | Duke | .395 | .359 | .490 | 20.82 | 29.00 | 4 | 7 | .364 | ACC |
| 78 | Boise State | .393 | .268 | .122 | 29.91 | 31.82 | 6 | 5 | .545 | Big West |
| 79 | Houston | .392 | .379 | .550 | 23.09 | 28.82 | 3 | 8 | .273 | CUSA |
| 80 | Iowa State | .390 | .328 | .627 | 20.09 | 29.82 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big 12 |
| 81 | Clemson | .390 | .622 | .532 | 19.82 | 24.73 | 3 | 8 | .273 | ACC |
| 82 | Iowa | .389 | .675 | .670 | 15.64 | 26.09 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big Ten |
| 83 | Wake Forest | .386 | .396 | .582 | 21.36 | 30.45 | 3 | 8 | .273 | ACC |
| 84 | Central Michigan | .382 | .326 | .157 | 20.82 | 23.00 | 6 | 5 | .545 | MAC |
| 85 | Washington State | .380 | .680 | .615 | 20.27 | 31.73 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Pac 10 |
| 86 | Louisiana-Monroe | .373 | .361 | .324 | 20.64 | 29.27 | 5 | 6 | .455 | Independent |
| 87 | San Jose State | .372 | .341 | .453 | 22.83 | 32.08 | 4 | 8 | .333 | WAC |
| 88 | Maryland | .372 | .378 | .546 | 18.36 | 26.36 | 3 | 8 | .273 | ACC |
| 89 | Alabama-Birmingham | .368 | .334 | .383 | 21.55 | 28.00 | 4 | 7 | .364 | Independent |
| 90 | Northwestern | .361 | .589 | .600 | 17.83 | 28.08 | 3 | 9 | .250 | Big Ten |
| 91 | South Carolina | .329 | .568 | .682 | 18.82 | 30.00 | 1 | 10 | .091 | SEC |
| 92 | Texas-El Paso | .325 | .297 | .409 | 20.55 | 27.73 | 3 | 8 | .273 | WAC |
| 93 | Illinois | .322 | .350 | .609 | 13.55 | 29.64 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big Ten |
| 94 | New Mexico State | .322 | .201 | .373 | 30.09 | 38.55 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big West |
| 95 | Akron | .316 | .279 | .212 | 24.09 | 27.18 | 4 | 7 | .364 | MAC |
| 96 | Navy | .315 | .515 | .415 | 23.18 | 34.18 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Independent |
| 97 | North Texas | .304 | .304 | .423 | 15.73 | 27.00 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big West |
| 98 | Memphis | .304 | .405 | .528 | 20.55 | 30.91 | 2 | 9 | .182 | CUSA |
| 99 | Pittsburgh | .303 | .430 | .492 | 21.27 | 30.36 | 2 | 9 | .182 | Big East |
| 100 | Vanderbilt | .296 | .394 | .696 | 12.91 | 33.55 | 2 | 9 | .182 | SEC |
| 101 | Utah State | .283 | .460 | .305 | 21.55 | 28.09 | 3 | 8 | .273 | Big West |
| 102 | Cincinnati | .280 | .544 | .504 | 23.55 | 41.45 | 2 | 9 | .182 | CUSA |
| 103 | Temple | .275 | .288 | .468 | 18.00 | 32.73 | 2 | 9 | .182 | Big East |
| 104 | New Mexico | .272 | .536 | .306 | 22.83 | 33.08 | 3 | 9 | .250 | WAC |
| 105 | Arkansas State | .269 | .236 | .193 | 18.00 | 32.08 | 4 | 8 | .333 | Independent |
| 106 | Eastern Michigan | .258 | .360 | .192 | 19.64 | 28.09 | 3 | 8 | .273 | MAC |
| 107 | Louisiana-Lafayette | .246 | .307 | .464 | 18.09 | 41.18 | 2 | 9 | .182 | Independent |
| 108 | Northern Illinois | .223 | .184 | .362 | 14.55 | 29.91 | 2 | 9 | .182 | MAC |
| 109 | Wild Card U | .218 | .215 | .459 | 16.36 | 38.13 | 6 | 41 | .128 | |
| 110 | Nevada-Las Vegas | .204 | .313 | .634 | 14.18 | 35.36 | 0 | 11 | .000 | WAC |
| 111 | Ball State | .170 | .467 | .363 | 13.64 | 31.18 | 1 | 10 | .091 | MAC |
| 112 | Hawaii | .121 | .304 | .401 | 12.42 | 35.17 | 0 | 12 | .000 | WAC |
| 113 | Kent | .096 | .236 | .345 | 13.55 | 41.27 | 0 | 11 | .000 | MAC |
| Conference | PR | PS | SOS | Wins | Losses | Pct | Teams |
| Big 12 | .621 | .581 | .656 | 82 | 61 | .573 | 12 |
| SEC | .617 | .645 | .657 | 80 | 62 | .563 | 12 |
| Big Ten | .616 | .613 | .653 | 74 | 56 | .569 | 11 |
| Pac 10 | .599 | .633 | .647 | 65 | 52 | .556 | 10 |
| ACC | .575 | .576 | .598 | 57 | 48 | .543 | 9 |
| Big East | .541 | .489 | .533 | 47 | 45 | .511 | 8 |
| CUSA | .474 | .470 | .469 | 42 | 49 | .462 | 8 |
| WAC | .468 | .470 | .445 | 87 | 101 | .463 | 16 |
| Independent | .431 | .427 | .383 | 42 | 49 | .462 | 8 |
| Big West | .390 | .349 | .280 | 30 | 37 | .448 | 6 |
| MAC | .389 | .401 | .270 | 62 | 73 | .459 | 12 |
This page has been accessed times since April 29, 1999.
Last Updated on 09/15/13
By James Howell
Email: cfootball@jhowell.net