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Point Differential is the numerical difference between points scored and points allowed. Some people think a team’s Point Differential doesn’t mean anything. Others say it’s a great way to tell how good a team’s offense and/or defense really is.

According to one industry expert, “Wins in close games tend not to reflect a team's true skill. Teams that start the season with a better record than their point differential tend to slow down and vice versa.”

I say we put that theory to the test.

As we head into the weekend, some teams are already halfway done with their regular season. It’s the perfect time to take a look at who the top teams are now and then compare them to the top teams heading into the playoffs in a few short weeks. 

You can see wins, losses and point differentials for every team in Idaho here

Top 20 Teams in Idaho Based on Their Point Differential

1. Garden Valley Wolverines, Point Differential: 60.5
Record: 4-0
Division: 1AD2
Conference: Long Pin 
PPG: 66.5
OPP: 6
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Meadows Valley 66-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Tri-Valley


2. Kendrick Tigers, Point Differential: 58.4
Record: 5-0
Division: 1AD2
Conference: Whitepine 
PPG: 69.2
OPP: 10.8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Lewis County 80-0
Next game: 10/7 at Timberline (W)


3. Camas County Mushers, Point Differential: 51.5
Record: 4-0
Division: 1AD2
Conference: Sawtooth
PPG: 61
OPP: 9.5
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Shoshone 76-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Castleford


4. Dietrich Blue Devils, Point Differential: 51
Record: 4-0
Division: 1AD2
Conference: Sawtooth
PPG: 63
OPP: 12
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Hansen 58-8
Next game: 9/30 home vs Shoshone


5. Sugar-Salem Diggers, Point Differential: 44.2
Record: 5-0
Division: 3A
Conference: Mountain Rivers
PPG: 53
OPP: 8.8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Marsh Valley 63-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Layton Christian, UT


6. Kellogg Wildcats, Point Differential: 36.8
Record: 4-1
Division: 2A
Conference: Central Idaho
PPG: 44.8
OPP: 8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Orofino 80-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Frenchtown, MT


7. Bishop Kelly Knights, Point Differential: 36.2
Record: 5-0
Division: 4A
Conference: Southern Idaho
PPG: 41.4
OPP: 5.2
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Vallivue 35-6
Next game: 9/30 home vs Burley


8. Homedale Trojans, Point Differential: 33.6
Record: 4-1
Division: 3A
Conference: Snake River Valley
PPG: 43.4
OPP: 9.8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Parma 60-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Payette


9. Teton Timberwolves, Point Differential: 33.2
Record:5-0
Division: 3A
Conference: Snake River Valley
PPG: 48
OPP: 14.8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated American Falls 56-6
Next game: 9/30 at Snake River


10. Melba Mustangs, Point Differential: 33
Record: 4-1
Division: 2A
Conference: Western Idaho
PPG: 48.6
OPP: 15.6
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Vale, OR 55-12
Next game: 9/30 at Cole Valley


11. Potlatch Loggers, Point Differential: 31.5
Record: 3-1
Division: 1AD1
Conference: Western Idaho
PPG: 62.5
OPP: 31
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Troy 52-14
Next game: 9/30 at Logos


12. Murtaugh Red Devils, Point Differential: 30.8
Record: 4-1
Division: 1AD1
Conference: Snake River
PPG: 56.4
OPP: 25.6
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Glenns Ferry 72-26
Next game: 10/7 at Raft River


13. Weiser Wolverines, Point Differential: 28.4
Record: 5-0
Division: 3A
Conference: Snake River Valley
PPG: 32.8
OPP: 4.4
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Payette 28-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs McCall-Donnelly


14. Canyon Ridge Riverhawks, Point Differential: 27.25
Record: 4-0
Division: 4A
Conference: Great Basin
PPG: 34
OPP: 6.75
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Jerome 34-0
Next game: 9/30 home vs Minico


15. Meridian Warriors, Point Differential: 27
Record: 5-0
Division: 5A
Conference: South Idaho (Foothills)
PPG: 35
OPP: 8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Highland 14-6
Next game: 9/30 at Centennial


16. Castleford Wolves, Point Differential: 27
Record: 4-0
Division: 1AD2
Conference: Sawtooth
PPG: 33.5
OPP: 6.5
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Hagerman 52-12
Next game: 9/30 at Camas County


17. Notus Pirates, Point Differential: 25.4
Record: 4-1
Division: 1AD1
Conference: Western Idaho
PPG: 49
OPP: 23.6
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Wilder 64-14
Next game: 10/7 home vs Idaho City


18. Mullan-St Regis Tigers, Point Differential: 25.2
Record: 4-1
Division: 1AD1
Conference: North Star
PPG: 52
OPP: 26.8
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Lakeside 74-22
Next game: 9/30 at Eureka, MT


19. Butte County Pirates, Point Differential: 24.5
Record: 3-1
Division: 1AD1
Conference: High Desert
PPG: 54
OPP: 29.5
Previous game: 9/23 defeated Lighthouse Christian 60-38
Next game: 10/7 at Challis-Mackay


20. North Fremont Huskies, Point Differential: 23.5
Record: 4-0
Division: 2A
Conference: Nuclear
PPG: 40
OPP: 16.5
Previous game: 9/23 defeated West Jefferson 60-22
Next game: 9/30 at Salmon