The latest FPI (Football Power Index) results are favoring the Texas Longhorns heavily in the Big 12. Previously they were ranked just outside of the top 10 teams. Following the 59-3 opening weekend win, Longhorns Wire takes a look at the newly updated numbers from ESPN.
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 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily.- From ESPN’s website on what is the FPI
Updated FPI rankings per ESPN
| FPI | Rank | 6wins % | Win Conf | Playoffs | Win Natty | |
| Updated | 5 | 20.1 | 99.3 | 51.7 | 42.5 | 5.8 |
| Last Week | 8 | 19.0 | 97.1 | 39.6 | 29.4 | 3.5 |
Updated game by game predictions per ESPN
| Opponent | Win Prob | Prev Win Prob | Change |
| Texas Tech | 91.5 | 79.0 | +12.5 |
| TCU | 77.8 | 75.4 | +2.4 |
| Oklahoma | 60 | 49.9 | +11.1 |
| Baylor | 87 | 85.4 | +1.6 |
| Oklahoma State | 63.4 | 60.3 | +3.1 |
| West Virginia | 89.1 | 89.6 | -0.5 |
| Kansas | 96.5 | 94.6 | +1.9 |
| Iowa State | 90.1 | 81.1 | +9.0 |
| Kansas State | 85.4 | 75.5 | +9.9 |
Related: ESPN projects Longhorns record using win probability
After one week of Big 12 play where seven of the 10 took the field, the Longhorns saw a huge swing their way. At least when it comes to the ESPN computers. Despite the fact that Oklahoma also won big over the weekend, the Longhorns win over UTEP is valued much higher. In terms of the simulations ran for the updated FPI.
We are seeing the Longhorns go from a projected eight-win season to now looking at a perfect 10-0 record. Certaintly games are played on the field but the analytics are all pointing to the Texas Longhorns making a very strong push in the conference.
Even with the conference looking less than stellar over the weekend with a 4-3 record, they still have an opportunity to send a team to the College Football Playoffs. Provided either Oklahoma or Texas win out they will likely be in the playoffs. Question is can they finally get over the hump this year and take down Oklahoma twice? We will find out in just less than a month at the Cotton Bowl.