ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) rankings are out after Week 12’s college football action, which featured some massive turnover in the SEC and the Big 12.
According to ESPN, FPI is defined as “a predictive rating system designed to measure team strength and project performance going forward.” In the FPI, nine of the top 25 teams are in the SEC, including five of the top 10.
The Georgia Bulldogs’ 31-17 win over the Tennessee Volunteers rises them up to No. 5. Georgia now have two wins against teams in the top 10. The Bulldogs have a playoff spot locked up if they win their next two games. Meanwhile, the Volunteers are more than likely on the outside looking in, despite placing No. 9 on this list.
The BYU Cougars stunningly lost last week to Kansas. BYU still has the top conference record in the Big 12, but there are three Big 12 teams above them in the FPI rankings. The Cougars are not in the FPI top 25, so ESPN doesn’t buy them being legitimate contenders.
Another Big 12 team, Kansas State, suffered the biggest fall of anyone on this list, dropping six spots after a rough 24-14 loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils, who are just outside of the top 25. Louisville also dropped four spots after a wild 38-35 loss to 2-7 Stanford where Louisville Cardinals blew a 35-21 lead.
Week 13 features Indiana versus Ohio State, a matchup that will go a long way in deciding the Big Ten championship race. The Hoosiers have been dominant offensively, but Ohio State is their first ranked opponent.
ESPN’s FPI Top 25 after Week 12
- Texas (26.7 FPI)
- Alabama (26.6 FPI)
- Ohio State (25.3 FPI)
- Notre Dame (23.3 FPI)
- Georgia (23 FPI)
- Ole Miss (22.4 FPI)
- Penn State (20.7 FPI)
- Oregon (20.6 FPI)
- Tennessee (19.3 FPI)
- Miami (17.9 FPI)
- Indiana (17.7 FPI)
- Clemson (15.3 FPI)
- South Carolina (14.5 FPI)
- Texas A&M (14.4 FPI)
- SMU (13.9 FPI)
- USC (13.5 FPI)
- Louisville (13.4 FPI)
- Tulane (13.3 FPI)
- LSU (13.1 FPI)
- Colorado (12.7 FPI)
- Boise State (12 FPI)
- Iowa (11.5 FPI)
- Iowa State (11.3 FPI)
- Missouri (11 FPI)
- Kansas State (10.7 FPI)