We last provided an update on ESPN's absurd Football Power Index (FPI) after the College Football Playoff semifinal games, where Oklahoma stayed ahead of Clemson despite a convincing 20-point loss. Well, several more bowl games have happened since then, and we are here to bring you what FPI says before the College Football Playoff national title game.
Oklahoma is still at No. 2, which is probably about four spots higher than they should be right now. Clemson did indeed fall to No. 5, as they were pass by Ole Miss after the Rebels blew out Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. Some good news for Clemson fans, though, is that FPI puts them up to a 39-percent chance of beating Alabama now. This is up from 37.1-percent initially after the semifinal games.
Like they have all season, USC is still high in the ratings despite having lost six games on the season. The Trojans spot at No. 12 puts them ahead of Florida State, Michigan State, Michigan, and Oregon.
It will be interesting to see how the title game affects these ratings. If Clemson wins, will that be enough to take over the No. 1 spot? Or will Alabama just pull further away from everyone else?