ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) is out after Week 8’s action. There was massive shakeup this week with the dethroning of the previous top team (Texas).
According to ESPN, FPI is defined as “a predictive rating system designed to measure team strength and project performance going forward.” In the FPI, 10 of the top 25 teams are in the SEC, including four of the top five. That shows how much competition Georgia has to deal with in the best conference in college football.
Speaking of Georgia, it played the former top team, the Texas Longhorns, on Saturday and won 30-15. However, there’s no movement by Georgia in the FPI. It stays fourth. It is interesting to note that, according to ESPN, UGA has the highest strength of record. The Bulldogs have several more difficult matchups, including against Tennessee and Ole Miss.
The loss to Georgia did have implications for Texas. Thanks to being blown out, it falls to No. 2. Strangely, Ohio State takes its spot despite being on bye and already having lost to Oregon. Ohio State plays Nebraska next week before going up against fellow Big Ten contender Penn State on Nov. 2.
There were other matchups that shook up the FPI. Alabama headed to Rocky Top to play Tennessee, but it was no match for the Volunteers. Tennessee stopped it late to win 24-17. Miami continued to look suspect against Louisville, but it continued its undefeated season. It won an offensive battle, 52-45. Arkansas was looking for another home upset against the LSU Tigers, but it definitely didn’t work out. The Razorbacks were blown out by the Tigers, 34-10.
Week 9 features more matchups that can affect the FPI. Alabama will need to get out of their funk against Missouri. Notre Dame heads to MetLife Stadium to play Navy in a ranked matchup. Most importantly, LSU heads to Texas A&M for a classic SEC showdown.
ESPN’s FPI Top 25 after Week 8
- Ohio State (27.5 FPI)
- Texas (27.2 FPI)
- Alabama (23.2 FPI)
- Georgia (22.9 FPI)
- Ole Miss (22.1 FPI)
- Tennessee (21 FPI)
- Notre Dame (21 FPI)
- Oregon (20.5 FPI)
- Penn State (18.6 FPI)
- Miami (18.3 FPI)
- Indiana (17.4 FPI)
- LSU (16.9 FPI)
- Clemson (16.9 FPI)
- Texas A&M (15.7 FPI)
- USC (14.4 FPI)
- SMU (14.4 FPI)
- Louisville (13.8 FPI)
- Kansas State (13.8 FPI)
- Iowa State (12.3 FPI)
- Missouri (12.2 FPI)
- Boise State (11.8 FPI)
- Florida (11.3 FPI)
- South Carolina (11.1 FPI)
- Colorado (10.0 FPI)
- Wisconsin (9.7 FPI)
