ChampsRankSOS – Strength-of-Schedule

This is the first iteration of the ChampsRankSOS ranking report. An explanation of the methodology can be found here.

We initially planned to publish only the time-decay version of our Strength-of-Schedule model (using a 45-day decay rate). However, the differences between the decay and no-decay versions were significant enough that it made sense to release both. This allows a clear comparison between a full-season evaluation and a ranking system that emphasizes recent performance — something both subjective polls and postseason selection committees tend to value. This weekend’s upcoming games between Wisconsin and Ohio State, might tell us which methodology makes more sense.

Click here to view our other ranking: ChampsRankELO

ChampsRankSOS with Decay Rate: DI Women’s College Hockey

as of November 30, 2025

GD = Goal Differential vs. Opponent

SOS = Strength of Schedule Rating of Opponent

Rank	Team	Rating	GD	SOS	Games Played
1	Ohio State	20.00	3.46	16.54	16
2	Wisconsin	19.78	3.96	15.82	18
3	Minnesota	18.71	1.82	16.89	16
4	Penn State	18.15	3.56	14.58	18
5	Minnesota Duluth	17.76	0.33	17.44	16
6	Minnesota State	16.77	0.24	16.53	18
7	UConn	16.73	1.21	15.52	16
8	Northeastern	16.66	1.58	15.08	16
9	St. Cloud State	16.48	-0.53	17.01	18
10	Quinnipiac	16.41	1.50	14.91	18
11	Cornell	16.35	1.74	14.61	14
12	Princeton	16.21	0.94	15.27	13
13	Clarkson	16.04	0.60	15.44	17
14	St. Thomas	15.94	-0.64	16.58	18
15	Colgate	15.74	0.04	15.71	18
16	Yale	15.67	0.74	14.93	14
17	Mercyhurst	15.52	0.54	14.99	20
18	Boston College	15.22	0.21	15.01	18
19	Harvard	15.04	0.68	14.37	12
20	RIT	15.04	0.10	14.93	20
21	St. Lawrence	14.83	-0.45	15.27	19
22	New Hampshire	14.75	0.52	14.23	18
23	Holy Cross	14.73	1.14	13.59	18
24	Vermont	14.72	-1.02	15.74	18
25	Union	14.64	0.41	14.23	18
26	Brown	14.46	-0.01	14.47	14
27	Maine	14.39	-1.07	15.46	18
28	Bemidji State	14.36	-2.24	16.60	16
29	Boston University	14.34	-1.02	15.36	15
30	Providence	14.08	-1.21	15.30	17
31	Syracuse	13.85	-1.06	14.91	20
32	Lindenwood	13.77	-0.75	14.53	20
33	Robert Morris	13.72	-0.71	14.44	20
34	Dartmouth	13.33	-2.27	15.61	12
35	Merrimack	13.08	-1.71	14.80	16
36	Saint Anselm	13.01	0.99	12.02	17
37	RPI	12.84	-2.01	14.85	19
38	Franklin Pierce	12.38	0.92	11.46	17
39	Assumption	11.74	-0.34	12.09	18
40	Stonehill	11.67	-1.25	12.92	17
41	Sacred Heart	11.65	-0.61	12.26	15
42	Delaware	11.38	-3.07	14.46	18
43	Post	11.12	-1.29	12.41	17
44	LIU	10.66	-0.98	11.64	14
45	Saint Michaels	8.24	-3.74	11.97	13

ChampsRankSOS without Decay Rate (Full Season Rating): DI Women’s College Hockey

as of November 30, 2025

Rank	Team	Rating	GD	SOS	Games Played
1	Wisconsin	20.00	4.06	15.94	18
2	Ohio State	19.81	3.25	16.56	16
3	Minnesota	19.14	2.25	16.89	16
4	Penn State	18.10	3.72	14.37	18
5	Minnesota Duluth	17.80	0.63	17.18	16
6	St. Cloud State	16.73	-0.33	17.06	18
7	Northeastern	16.69	1.69	15.00	16
8	Cornell	16.66	2.00	14.66	14
9	Quinnipiac	16.65	1.83	14.82	18
10	UConn	16.62	1.00	15.62	16
11	Minnesota State	16.49	0.11	16.38	18
12	Princeton	16.05	0.77	15.29	13
13	St. Thomas	15.97	-0.06	16.02	18
14	Clarkson	15.93	0.76	15.17	17
15	Colgate	15.79	0.06	15.74	18
16	Yale	15.71	0.79	14.92	14
17	Mercyhurst	15.53	0.35	15.18	20
18	Boston College	15.17	-0.11	15.28	18
19	RIT	15.02	0.35	14.67	20
20	Harvard	14.98	0.58	14.40	12
21	St. Lawrence	14.89	-0.47	15.37	19
22	Vermont	14.79	-0.94	15.74	18
23	New Hampshire	14.78	0.61	14.16	18
24	Bemidji State	14.68	-2.25	16.93	16
25	Brown	14.61	0.07	14.53	14
26	Holy Cross	14.57	1.11	13.46	18
27	Union	14.49	0.17	14.32	18
28	Maine	14.43	-1.22	15.65	18
29	Boston University	14.40	-1.27	15.66	15
30	Providence	13.99	-1.47	15.46	17
31	Syracuse	13.78	-1.15	14.93	20
32	Lindenwood	13.69	-1.20	14.89	20
33	Robert Morris	13.62	-0.75	14.37	20
34	Dartmouth	13.47	-2.00	15.47	12
35	Merrimack	13.18	-1.63	14.81	16
36	RPI	12.85	-2.00	14.85	19
37	Saint Anselm	12.81	0.71	12.10	17
38	Franklin Pierce	12.32	0.47	11.85	17
39	Sacred Heart	11.77	-0.33	12.10	15
40	Assumption	11.72	-0.44	12.16	18
41	Stonehill	11.66	-1.06	12.72	17
42	Delaware	11.35	-3.00	14.36	18
43	Post	11.01	-1.76	12.77	17
44	LIU	10.82	-0.64	11.46	14
45	Saint Michaels	8.60	-3.38	11.99	13

#1 Ranking Flip

When recent games are weighted more heavily, Ohio State takes over the top spot. Over the full season, Wisconsin remains #1.

• Without decay: Wisconsin #1 (20.00), Ohio State #2 (19.81)
• With decay: Ohio State #1 (20.00), Wisconsin #2 (19.78)

Why the flip occurs

• Wisconsin: Goal differential drops from 4.06 → 3.96 due to early-season blowouts being de-weighted (e.g., 17–2 vs. Stonehill, 8–0 vs. Minnesota State).
• Ohio State: Goal differential rises from 3.25 → 3.46, reflecting stronger recent games.
• Game volume: Wisconsin has 18 games — more older results get discounted. Ohio State has 16 — more of their games retain full weight.
• Decay math: Games older than ~60 days count at roughly 35% weight, boosting teams with stronger recent form.

Other Notable Shifts

• Minnesota State: +5 spots (11 → 6) — largest improvement
• Bemidji State: –4 spots (24 → 28) — largest decline
• 24 teams experienced movement between the two models

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