ESPN updated its Football Power Index (FPI) rankings on Sunday, taking into account the results of the College Football Playoff (CFP) First Round as well as the recent bowl game results
According to ESPN’s algorithm, the Texas Longhorns had the highest chance of winning the National Championship at 27.2%, making them the team with the highest ranking in the revised FPI.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are ranked second after Texas, with a 20% chance of winning the championship. Georgia and Penn State are fourth and fifth with odds of 12.9% and 12.1%, respectively, while Ohio State is in third place with a 17.3% possibility. The only other club ESPN views as a possible title challenger is the Oregon Ducks, who have a 7.7% probability.
Who wins the National Championship in the end may not be the main concern for Alabama football supporters. Nonetheless, a win for Georgia or Texas may improve the SEC’s standing and help the conference overall.
Crimson Tide fans are probably more interested in Alabama’s standing in the most recent FPI rankings. The Alabama Crimson Tide are now ranked fourth in the country, behind Notre Dame at number three, Ohio State at number two, and Texas at number one. Georgia at number five, Oregon at number six, Ole Miss at number seven, Penn State at number eight, Tennessee at number nine, and Indiana at number ten round out the top ten.
It’s interesting to note that Arizona State (ranked No. 22) and Boise State (ranked No. 24), two teams that are significantly lower in the rankings than Alabama, both made it to the CFP Quarterfinals. For Crimson Tide supporters, it serves as a sobering reminder that Alabama’s three-loss season rendered the team solely responsible for its elimination from the playoffs. However, the rankings of other teams, like the 11-3 SMU Mustangs at No. 13 and Clemson at No. 15, may provide some validation for Tide fans.
Dominance of the SEC in the FPI Top 25
The SEC’s strength is highlighted by the new FPI rankings, which place Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee among the top 25. Five additional SEC teams were also selected: Missouri (No. 21), Florida (No. 19), LSU (No. 17), Texas A&M (No. 16), and South Carolina (No. 14). Oklahoma is ranked No. 26, just outside the top 25.
The CFP Selection Committee was criticized.
ESPN’s FPI rankings aren’t meant to be a criticism of the CFP Selection Committee, but commentators like Kirk Herbstreit and Paul Finebaum have taken on that role and openly questioned the committee’s choices. The committee defended its choices in spite of their criticism, stating that it was its duty to select the 12 most worthy teams. It is important to note, though, that not all of these clubs would be included on a list of the greatest teams in the country based only on merit.
Though the controversy surrounding the picks continues to be a contentious issue among both fans and pundits, rumors that members of the Selection Committee may go into hiding as a result of the criticism are unfounded. Notwithstanding these disagreements, the most recent FPI rankings provide insight into the larger picture of college football.
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