Inside the ICAA College Football Rankings

By ICAA Communications | Released September 4, 2025

Introduction: Welcome to the Race

The Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) has officially kicked off its 2025 college football season with a slate of statement wins, early surprises, and dramatic movement inside the inaugural ICAA Weekly Top 10 Rankings.

With every week impacting postseason positioning, national exposure, and recruiting momentum, the ICAA Rankings provide an objective and transparent snapshot of where teams stand based on performance — not just reputation.

Let’s break down how the system works, who made noise in Week 1, and what to watch in Week 2.

How the ICAA Rankings Work

Each week, ICAA analysts evaluate and rank teams using a weighted five-part system:

1. Game Results (40%)

• Wins and losses
• Margin of victory or defeat
• Overtime results

2. Strength of Schedule (20%)

• Opponent record and affiliation (ICAA, NJCAA, NCAA, etc.)
• Road vs. home games
• Rest days and travel fatigue

3. Statistical Performance (20%)

• Yards gained/allowed
• Turnover margin, penalties, red zone execution
• Special teams performance
  (If full stats aren’t available, scoring trends are emphasized.)

4. Momentum & Rankings History (10%)

• Progress or decline from previous rankings
• Sustained success over time

5. Eye Test & Context (10%)

• Player execution in key moments
• Adversity, weather delays, travel complications, etc.

Point System: Every Rank Matters

Each rank comes with an assigned point value:

Point Change is calculated week-to-week:

Point Change = Week X Points – Previous Week Points

This allows for clear, quantifiable movement each week and ensures the rankings reflect performance, not just preseason hype.