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ESPN’s Football Power Index is one of the most referenced rankings systems in college football.
The preseason version of the index, which will be updated between now and the first week of the season, is an attempt to take some of the guesswork out of rankings teams.
Preseason FPI is designed to take the guesswork out of preseason ratings. It is an automated ranking intended to measure team strength going forward. It is not a ranking of who will have the highest win total (which is dependent on schedule) or who is most likely to make the College Football Playoff.
It does so using four different components, including weighted performance on offense, defense and special teams for four seasons, returning starters, four-year recruiting results and head coaching tenure.
The first preseason index for the 2016 season was released on Tuesday, and it was exciting to see so many SEC teams trending near the top of the rankings.
Here’s a look at the initial Top 25:
- LSU
- Florida State
- Oklahoma
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- USC
- Georgia
- Oklahoma State
- Michigan
- Louisville
- Washington
- Texas A&M
- Notre Dame
- Baylor
- Ohio State
- Stanford
- UCLA
- North Carolina
- Auburn
- Mississippi State
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Nebraska
It’s safe to say that LSU sitting atop the list is a bit of a surprise, even with Leonard Fournette and a host of others returning for another season.
Tennessee being one spot ahead of the defending national champions is sure to fuel the anticipation for that rivalry game in October as the Vols continue to be the team with the biggest jump in preseason expectations.
Georgia may be breaking in a new coaching staff, but this team is still plenty talented.
Texas A&M may have been through a tumultuous end to 2015, but expectations will still clearly be on Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin to perform like he is heading a Top 15 program.
Auburn makes an appearance in the Top 25 after last year’s dud of a season, and Mississippi State appears to be poised to hang around the rankings in the post-Dak Prescott era.
Here’s where the rest of the SEC ranked:
- 27. Arkansas
- 39. South Carolina
- 50. Vanderbilt
- 51. Missouri
- 54. Kentucky
If these prove out to be anywhere close to being accurate, 2016 should be a very competitive season within the conference.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
