The rank of an object is its relative importance to the other objects in the set. Often a rank is an integer assigned from the set 1,...,n. A ranking model is a method of determining a way in which the ranks are assigned. Usually a ranking model uses information available on the objects to determine their respective ratings. The most recognized application of ranking is the competitive sports. Numerous ranking models have been created over the years to compute the team ratings for various sports. In this paper we propose a flexible, easily coded, fast, iterative approach we call the Offense-Defense Model (ODM), to generating team ratings. The convergence of the ODM is grounded in the theory of matrix balancing. * Our special thanks go to Luke Ingram who has worked on developing ODM in his Masters thesis with Amy Langville.

An approach to modeling the impact of disturbances in an agricultural production network is presented. A stochastic model and its approximate deterministic model for averages over sample paths of the stochastic system are developed. Simulations, sensitivity and generalized sensitivity analyses are given. Finally, it is shown how diseases may be introduced into the network and corresponding simulations are discussed.Keywords: Agricultural production networks, stochastic and deterministic models, sensitivity and generalized sensitivity functions, foot and mouth disease Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.