[SoccerMath]

I don't know why it's so difficult to realize that these ratings are not a poll, but a system that has had moderate success in predicting the top teams. Never understood why people cry about rankings and ratings anyways. If you're that good then you'll prove it when it matters.

Correct, the maher rankings aren't a poll. They are calculated mathematically, based on games scores and home court advantage. Bias is sneaky in how it enters any endeavor, but I don't how it would enter for a particular geographic region. We started with a mathatically sound formula, and any tweaks we've made were done with prediction rate as the guide.