Documentation
Complete guide to using the D3 Football NPI System
Getting Started

Understanding NPI Rankings

Learn how the NCAA Power Index (NPI) ranking system works, including how wins, losses, strength of schedule, and quality of opponents factor into team rankings.

Navigating the App

Explore the main sections: Rankings, Games, Season Simulator, and What-If Scenarios. Each section provides unique insights into Division 3 football analytics.

Data Updates

Rankings and statistics are updated in real-time as game results are entered. Check the Rankings page for the most current team standings.

Rankings & Team Data
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Team Rankings

View comprehensive rankings of all Division 3 teams sorted by NPI score. Filter by conference and search for specific teams.

Team Details

Click any team to see detailed statistics including win/loss record, schedule, NPI breakdown by game, and conference standing.

Conference Standings

View teams grouped by conference with conference-specific records and rankings.

Export Rankings

Download current rankings as CSV files for analysis or sharing.

Games & Schedules
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Game Results

Browse all games by week number. See scores, overtime information, and neutral site indicators.

Filter by Team

Search for specific teams to view their complete schedule and results.

Game Types

Games are marked as countable (D3 vs D3) or non-countable. Only countable games factor into NPI calculations.

Week Navigation

Use the week selector to jump to specific weeks of the season.

Season Simulator
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Simulate Remaining Games

Predict outcomes for all unplayed games in the season. Choose to simulate all games automatically or select winners manually.

Playoff Predictions

See projected playoff brackets and seedings based on simulated season outcomes.

Scenario Analysis

Run multiple simulations with different outcomes to explore various playoff scenarios.

Export Predictions

Save your simulation results for comparison and analysis.

What-If Scenarios
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Create Custom Scenarios

Build hypothetical game outcomes to see how they would impact team rankings.

Flip Game Results

Change the outcome of past games and instantly see the impact on NPI rankings.

Add Future Games

Simulate outcomes for scheduled games to predict playoff positioning.

Save & Compare

Save multiple scenarios to compare different potential outcomes side-by-side.

Share Scenarios

Share your what-if scenarios with others via unique URLs.

Real-Time Calculator
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Live Score Tracking

Enter live game scores as they happen and see instant NPI updates.

In-Progress Games

Track multiple games simultaneously during game day.

Instant Rankings

See how current scores would affect team rankings if they hold.

Mileage Calculator
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Team Travel Distances

Calculate driving distances between any two Division 3 football teams.

Road Trip Planning

Plan multi-team road trips and calculate total mileage.

Geographic Analysis

Understand the geographic spread of conferences and scheduling challenges.

Understanding NPI Calculations

Base Points System

Teams earn base points for wins and lose points for losses. The exact formula considers opponent strength.

Strength of Schedule (SoS)

Your opponents' average NPI scores factor into your ranking. Playing tougher opponents can boost your NPI even in losses.

Quality Win Bonus (QWB)

Beating highly-ranked opponents (typically above NPI 54) provides bonus points.

Quality Loss Bonus (QLB)

Losing close games to top opponents may provide small bonus points.

Home/Away Adjustments

Games are weighted based on location: home, away, or neutral site.

Iterative Calculation

NPI scores are calculated iteratively, with each team's score affecting their opponents' scores until the system stabilizes.

Game Elimination

In some scenarios, certain wins or losses may be eliminated from the calculation to maintain fairness.

Tips & Best Practices

Stay Updated

Check rankings frequently during the season as they update with each new game result.

Use Multiple Tools

Combine Rankings, What-If Scenarios, and the Season Simulator for comprehensive analysis.

Understand Context

NPI is one metric among many. Consider conference records, head-to-head results, and other factors.

Mobile Experience

The app is fully responsive - use it on your phone during games for live updates.

Share with Community

Use the export and sharing features to discuss scenarios with other D3 football fans.

Need More Help?

If you can't find what you're looking for in this documentation, please reach out via our Support page.

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