2013 season

BCS era

Latest update: 2026-10-18 5:01 am ET | Week 16 status: COMPLETE

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

2013 Harbin Rankings

FBS (national)All teams Postseason scores What if? (weighting sliders)

2013 season summary

Harbin's top two are Florida St and Stanford; the title game was Auburn vs Florida St, so Harbin got 1 of 2 right; across the whole BCS lineup (title game and four bowls), run by that year's rules, Harbin matches 7 of 10 teams.

Among games between teams the BCS standings ranked, Harbin put the loser above the winner in 6 of 34 (the BCS standings: 6), and picked 2 of 9 postseason games (the BCS standings: 5), behind the BCS standings overall.

It flags no team that looks out of place.

Measure	Harbin	BCS standings (2013-12-10)
Results contradicted (fewer is better)	6 of 34 (18%)	6 of 34 (18%)
Postseason picks right	2 of 9 (22%)	5 of 9 (56%)
Playoff field matched	7 of 10 (70%)	n/a

Field changes

Title game: Harbin Florida St vs Stanford; real Florida St vs Auburn.

Teams Harbin would add to, or drop from, the real field (the title game and the four BCS bowls).

Harbin adds

Team	Harbin	BCS standings	Why
South Carolina	#4	#9	Against Clemson (the team it displaces), South Carolina beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (Missouri 11-2, UCF 11-1 and Clemson 10-2), so its beaten opponents earned 381.0 Level 1 points in all (283.5 for Clemson's), a Level 2 term of 26.3 to 19.6; Clemson beat 3 teams with losing records (Virginia 2-10, NC State 3-9 and Wake Forest 4-8) and FCS SC State and FCS The Citadel, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 6.72 of the 7.02-point rating gap (96%). Harbin ranks South Carolina #4 and it is an SEC non-champion with 10 wins, so the 3-4 rule gives it an automatic berth (the best at-large team at #3, else #4); the real Orange Bowl had Clemson (Harbin #14) instead. South Carolina beat 3 Harbin top-25 teams (Missouri #11, UCF #13 and Clemson #14); Clemson, the team it displaces, has 1 top-25 win and 1 more in the top 50.
Arizona St	#7	#14	Against Alabama (the team it displaces), Arizona St beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (UCLA 9-3, USC 9-4 and Wisconsin 9-3), so its beaten opponents earned 376.0 Level 1 points in all (320.5 for Alabama's), a Level 2 term of 25.8 to 22.0; Alabama beat 4 teams with losing records (Georgia St 0-12, Kentucky 2-10, Arkansas 3-9 and Tennessee 5-7) and FCS Chattanooga, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 3.80 points, more than the whole 1.01-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Harbin ranks Arizona St #7 and it has 10 wins, so it is eligible (9+ wins, top 14) and the best available at-large pick; the real Sugar Bowl had Alabama (Harbin #10) instead. Arizona St's wins earn more: 6.15 Level 1 points per win, against 5.91 for Alabama. 9 of its 10 wins came over top-tier teams (6.5 each: UCLA #20, USC #25, Wisconsin #28, Arizona #37 and 5 more); Alabama had 8 of 11, plus 2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Colorado St and Georgia St) and FCS Chattanooga (3.0). This accounts for 0.21 of the 1.01-point rating gap (21%).
Oklahoma St	#8	#13	Against Oklahoma (the team it displaces), Oklahoma St beat 1 team with 9+ wins (Baylor 11-1), so its beaten opponents earned 333.0 Level 1 points in all (311.0 for Oklahoma's), a Level 2 term of 23.1 to 21.6; Oklahoma beat 5 teams with losing records (Iowa State 3-9, Kansas 3-9, Tulsa 3-9, TCU 4-8 and 1 more), which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 1.53 points, more than the whole 1.36-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Harbin ranks Oklahoma St #8 and it has 10 wins, so it is eligible (9+ wins, top 14) and the best available at-large pick; the real Sugar Bowl had Oklahoma (Harbin #12) instead. Oklahoma St's loss to 4-8 West Virginia counts no more in Harbin than a loss to a top-10 team; it is #13 in the BCS standings.

Harbin drops

Team	Harbin	BCS standings	Why
Alabama	#10	#3	Against Arizona St (the team that takes its place), Alabama's beaten opponents earned 320.5 Level 1 points in all (376.0 for Arizona St's), a Level 2 term of 22.0 to 25.8. Alabama beat 4 teams with losing records (Georgia St 0-12, Kentucky 2-10, Arkansas 3-9 and Tennessee 5-7) and FCS Chattanooga, which add little to Level 2; Arizona St beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (UCLA 9-3, USC 9-4 and Wisconsin 9-3). This accounts for 3.80 points, more than the whole 1.01-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. The real Sugar Bowl took Alabama (#3 BCS, automatic under 3-4 rule (SEC non-champion); replaced Auburn). Harbin ranks Alabama #10, but SEC already has two teams in Harbin's lineup, the most the rules allow. Harbin's lineup has Arizona St (#7) there instead. Alabama's wins earn less: 5.91 Level 1 points per win, against 6.15 for Arizona St. 3 of its 11 wins came over teams worth less than a top-tier win (6.5): 2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Colorado St and Georgia St) and FCS Chattanooga (3.0); Arizona St had 1 (FCS Sacramento St (3.0)). This accounts for 0.21 of the 1.01-point rating gap (21%).
Oklahoma	#12	#11	Against Oklahoma St (the team that takes its place), Oklahoma's beaten opponents earned 311.0 Level 1 points in all (333.0 for Oklahoma St's), a Level 2 term of 21.6 to 23.1. Oklahoma beat 5 teams with losing records (Iowa State 3-9, Kansas 3-9, Tulsa 3-9, TCU 4-8 and 1 more), which add little to Level 2; Oklahoma St beat 1 team with 9+ wins (Baylor 11-1). This accounts for 1.53 points, more than the whole 1.36-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. The real Sugar Bowl took Oklahoma (at-large (#11)). Harbin ranks Oklahoma #12, but Big 12 already has two teams in Harbin's lineup, the most the rules allow. Harbin's lineup has Oklahoma St (#8) there instead.
Clemson	#14	#12	Against South Carolina (the team that takes its place), Clemson's beaten opponents earned 283.5 Level 1 points in all (381.0 for South Carolina's), a Level 2 term of 19.6 to 26.3. Clemson beat 3 teams with losing records (Virginia 2-10, NC State 3-9 and Wake Forest 4-8) and FCS SC State and FCS The Citadel, which add little to Level 2; South Carolina beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (Missouri 11-2, UCF 11-1 and Clemson 10-2). This accounts for 6.72 of the 7.02-point rating gap (96%). The real Orange Bowl took Clemson (at-large (#12)). Harbin ranks Clemson #14 (10 wins), and its at-large berths go to better-ranked eligible teams. Harbin's lineup has South Carolina (#4) there instead.

Title game

Teams Harbin would put into, or take out of, the national-title game (those not already listed above).

Harbin puts in the title game

Team	Harbin	BCS standings	Why
Stanford	#2	#5	Against Auburn (the team it displaces), Stanford beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (Arizona St 10-3, Oregon 10-2 and UCLA 9-3), so its beaten opponents earned 448.5 Level 1 points in all (436.0 for Auburn's), a Level 2 term of 28.2 to 27.8; Auburn beat 2 teams with losing records (Arkansas 3-9 and Tennessee 5-7) and FCS W Carolina, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 0.79 points, more than the whole 0.21-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Stanford's wins earn more: 6.23 Level 1 points per win, against 5.96 for Auburn. 9 of its 11 wins came over top-tier teams (6.5 each: Arizona St #7, Notre Dame #15, Oregon #16, UCLA #20 and 4 more); Auburn had 9 of 12, plus 2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Arkansas St and FAU) and FCS W Carolina (3.0). This accounts for 0.24 points, more than the whole 0.21-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Stanford (33.48) and Auburn (33.27) are only 0.21 points apart: a narrow call.

Harbin takes out of the title game

Team	Harbin	BCS standings	Why
Auburn	#3	#2	Against Stanford (the team that takes its place), Auburn's beaten opponents earned 436.0 Level 1 points in all (448.5 for Stanford's), a Level 2 term of 27.8 to 28.2. Auburn beat 2 teams with losing records (Arkansas 3-9 and Tennessee 5-7) and FCS W Carolina, which add little to Level 2; Stanford beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (Arizona St 10-3, Oregon 10-2 and UCLA 9-3). This accounts for 0.79 points, more than the whole 0.21-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Auburn's wins earn less: 5.96 Level 1 points per win, against 6.23 for Stanford. 3 of its 12 wins came over teams worth less than a top-tier win (6.5): 2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Arkansas St and FAU) and FCS W Carolina (3.0); Stanford had 2 (2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: San José St and Army)). This accounts for 0.24 points, more than the whole 0.21-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Auburn (33.27) and Stanford (33.48) are only 0.21 points apart: a narrow call.

Biggest disagreements

Team	Harbin	BCS standings	W-L	Why
Notre Dame	#15	-	8-4	Against N Illinois (Harbin #26, the first spot outside the BCS standings's top 25), Notre Dame beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (Michigan St 12-1, Arizona St 10-3 and USC 9-4), so its beaten opponents earned 291.0 Level 1 points in all (261.0 for N Illinois's), a Level 2 term of 19.7 to 18.1; N Illinois beat 7 teams with losing records (Idaho 1-11, Purdue 1-11, UMass 1-11, W Michigan 1-11 and 3 more) and FCS E Illinois, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 2.06 of the 2.30-point rating gap (89%). N Illinois lost the MAC title game to Bowling Green (10-3): it was its 13th game and earned 0 points, so its Level 1 average fell from 5.08 to 4.69 and Bowling Green's 13 games went into its divisor with nothing earned; without that game N Illinois would rate 23.21 instead of 21.32. This accounts for 1.89 of the 2.30-point rating gap (82%). Notre Dame's wins earn more: 5.94 Level 1 points per win, against 5.08 for N Illinois. 5 of its 8 wins came over top-tier teams (6.5 each: Michigan St #6, Arizona St #7, USC #25, Temple #110 and 1 more); N Illinois had 2 of 12, plus 9 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Idaho, Kent State, Akron, C Michigan and 5 more) and FCS E Illinois (3.0). This accounts for 0.71 of the 2.30-point rating gap (31%).
Wisconsin	#28	#19	9-3	Against BYU (Harbin #19, the spot the BCS standings gives Wisconsin), Wisconsin's beaten opponents earned 231.0 Level 1 points in all (274.0 for BYU's), a Level 2 term of 15.8 to 18.9. Wisconsin beat 5 teams with losing records (Purdue 1-11, UMass 1-11, Illinois 4-8, Indiana 5-7 and 1 more) and FCS Tennessee Tech, which add little to Level 2; BYU beat no team with 9+ wins. This accounts for 2.96 points, more than the whole 2.28-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way.
Arizona St	#7	#14	10-3	Against Clemson (Harbin #14, the spot the BCS standings gives Arizona St), Arizona St beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (UCLA 9-3, USC 9-4 and Wisconsin 9-3), so its beaten opponents earned 376.0 Level 1 points in all (283.5 for Clemson's), a Level 2 term of 25.8 to 19.6; Clemson beat 3 teams with losing records (Virginia 2-10, NC State 3-9 and Wake Forest 4-8) and FCS SC State and FCS The Citadel, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 6.36 points, more than the whole 3.99-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. Arizona St beat 2 Harbin top-25 teams (UCLA #20 and USC #25) and 3 more in the top 50 (Wisconsin #28, Arizona #37 and Washington #38).
Alabama	#10	#3	11-1	Against Auburn (Harbin #3, the spot the BCS standings gives Alabama), Alabama's beaten opponents earned 320.5 Level 1 points in all (436.0 for Auburn's), a Level 2 term of 22.0 to 27.8. Alabama beat 4 teams with losing records (Georgia St 0-12, Kentucky 2-10, Arkansas 3-9 and Tennessee 5-7) and FCS Chattanooga, which add little to Level 2; Auburn beat 2 teams with 9+ wins (Alabama 11-1 and Missouri 11-2). This accounts for 7.63 points, more than the whole 5.90-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way.
BYU	#19	-	8-4	N Illinois (Harbin #26, the first spot outside the BCS standings's top 25) lost the MAC title game to Bowling Green (10-3): it was its 13th game and earned 0 points, so its Level 1 average fell from 5.08 to 4.69 and Bowling Green's 13 games went into its divisor with nothing earned; without that game N Illinois would rate 23.21 instead of 21.32. This accounts for 1.89 points, more than the whole 1.12-point rating gap; other factors pull the other way. BYU beat no team with 9+ wins, so its beaten opponents earned 274.0 Level 1 points in all (261.0 for N Illinois's), a Level 2 term of 18.9 to 18.1; N Illinois beat 7 teams with losing records (Idaho 1-11, Purdue 1-11, UMass 1-11, W Michigan 1-11 and 3 more) and FCS E Illinois, which add little to Level 2. This accounts for 0.90 of the 1.12-point rating gap (80%). BYU's wins earn more: 5.31 Level 1 points per win, against 5.08 for N Illinois. 3 of its 8 wins came over top-tier teams (6.5 each: Texas #29, Houston #32 and Georgia Tech #44); N Illinois had 2 of 12, plus 9 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: Idaho, Kent State, Akron, C Michigan and 5 more) and FCS E Illinois (3.0). This accounts for 0.19 of the 1.12-point rating gap (17%).
Oregon	#16	#10	10-2	Against Alabama (Harbin #10, the spot the BCS standings gives Oregon), Oregon's beaten opponents earned 264.0 Level 1 points in all (320.5 for Alabama's), a Level 2 term of 18.2 to 22.0. Oregon beat 5 teams with losing records (California 1-11, Virginia 2-10, Colorado 4-8, Tennessee 5-7 and 1 more) and FCS Nicholls, which add little to Level 2; Alabama beat 1 team with 9+ wins (LSU 9-3). This accounts for 3.88 of the 4.04-point rating gap (96%).
LSU	#22	#16	9-3	Against Oregon (Harbin #16, the spot the BCS standings gives LSU), LSU's beaten opponents earned 256.5 Level 1 points in all (264.0 for Oregon's), a Level 2 term of 17.7 to 18.2. LSU beat 5 teams with losing records (UAB 2-10, Arkansas 3-9, Florida 4-8, Kent State 4-8 and 1 more) and FCS Furman, which add little to Level 2; Oregon beat 1 team with 9+ wins (UCLA 9-3). This accounts for 0.52 of the 1.31-point rating gap (40%). LSU lost 3 of its 12 games (Georgia 8-4, Ole Miss 7-5 and Alabama 11-1), and every loss is a game worth 0 points in the Level 1 average: 9 of its 12 games earn points, against 10 of 12 for Oregon (lost to Stanford 11-2 and Arizona 7-5). This accounts for 0.50 of the 1.31-point rating gap (38%). LSU's wins earn less: 5.78 Level 1 points per win, against 6.15 for Oregon. 3 of its 9 wins came over teams worth less than a top-tier win (6.5): 2 over other FBS teams (5.0 each: UAB and Kent State) and FCS Furman (3.0); Oregon had 1 (FCS Nicholls (3.0)). This accounts for 0.29 of the 1.31-point rating gap (23%).
Texas A&M	#27	#21	8-4	Against Virginia Tech (Harbin #21, the spot the BCS standings gives Texas A&M), Texas A&M's beaten opponents earned 244.5 Level 1 points in all (267.5 for Virginia Tech's), a Level 2 term of 16.6 to 18.3. Texas A&M beat 3 teams with losing records (UTEP 2-10, Arkansas 3-9 and SMU 5-7) and FCS Sam Houston, which add little to Level 2; Virginia Tech beat 3 teams with 9+ wins (East Carolina 9-3, Marshall 9-4 and Miami 9-3). This accounts for 1.57 of the 1.69-point rating gap (93%).

Checks

Harbin ranks these teams in its top 15, yet the reference left them unranked, and they are not on the ineligible list. Each may be missing a postseason ban.

Team	Harbin	W-L	Note
Notre Dame	#15	8-4	Harbin #15 but unranked by the BCS standings: check for a postseason ban or other ineligibility

Compared with BCS standings of 2013-12-10. Written 2026-10-17 from games through 2013-12-10.