Recently ESPN released their recent FPI (Football Power Index). For those unfamiliar with the FPI, here is the explanation on ESPN’s model.
The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily.
Following the Longhorns victory over the Utah Utes in the Valero Alamo Bowl ESPN released their postseason FPI. They listed Texas inside the top 20. Their FPI at that time was 13, just a few months down the road and now the Longhorns find themselves ranked 11th with a FPI of 19.6. That number is just 0.5 behind their bitter rivals, Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma (10th) FPI-20.1
- Oklahoma State (17th) 13.7
- TCU (20th) 12.0
- Iowa State (27th) 9.9
- Kansas State (32nd) 8.2
- Baylor (34th) 7.8
- Texas Tech (41st) 6.3
- West Virginia (45th) 5.2
- Kansas (98th) -6.7
The Longhorns will also play the LSU Tigers this upcoming season who ranked 6th in the FPI poll at 23.7.
Texas has a projected win total of 9.5 according to their simulations. There are a multitude of reasons that their FPI would increase over a four month span which could include a whole new staff essentially and the influx of another top ten recruiting class in 2020. This seems to fall right in line where most media outlets have Texas projected when it comes to their way too early top 25 rankings.