StrengthRanking.com uses a system known as the "Comparative Strength Ranking", or CSR. The CSR is a computer derived ranking used to rate the strength of various teams. It also provides a hypothetical point spread in a contest between two teams. The rankings are naturally scaled such that the "Average team" will receive a 0 ranking. Teams will typically cluster in a bell curve around the 0 ranking, with exceptional teams (or very poor teams) holding rankings outside the norm.

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The most important data in generating the Comparative Strength Ranking is the final score. Extraneous statistics such as total yardage, number of first downs, shooting percentage, number of fouls per game, defensive average, etc. are fun to read about, but not quantifiable, and not truly important anyway. These types of statistics are only important in how they affect the outcome, and that will be shown by the final score.

Strength is generated on a "Diminishing Returns" principle. Points are worth progressively less as the Margin of Victory increases. There is not, however, a limit to the increase. A 40 point victory is worth more than a 30 point victory, but the difference is not the same as the difference between a 10 and 20 point victory. This rewards teams that fare well against good opposition, but doesn't unduly punish teams that have the ability to completely destroy an opponent.

Team records are also regarded with a sliding scale. A recent victory is worth more than one that occurred months ago. This rewards teams that show improvement during the season, and finish strong. By the end of a season, early games have little or no effect on the overall strength ranking.

Intangibles (injuries, coaching changes, etc.) are not factored into the CSR. There is obviously no way to objectively quantify impacts due to these types of events, and since they will inevitably affect game scores, intangibles will eventually have an effect on the CSR through the teams' results.

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Home field advantage varies with each sport, but is especially deceiving in sports such as college basketball, where good teams typically play far more home games than away games, many of these against overmatched opponents. Needless to say, a simple comparison of all home records against the away records is insufficient to generate an accurate 'Home Field Advantage' for college basketball and football, since most of the stronger teams will play more games at home (but perfectly acceptable for professional football, where all teams play equal numbers of home and away games). Fortunately, the CSR has found a simple solution to this issue: Using only conference games for college sports, where each team plays equal numbers of games home and away. For another example, in International soccer, "Friendlies" would not be used to generate a Home Field Advantage, but World Cup Qualifiers (which are typically home and home) would be. Thus the CSR generates an accurate Home Field Advantage offset for each sport.