ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) was on set of rankings that was particularly high on the USC Trojans. The metric had USC at No. 9 in the preseason, with their strength of schedule being their biggest asset.
The same metric had Alabama at a low No. 6 in the preseason, and even after a 52-6 win over the aforementioned USC, the Crimson Tide are still having some trouble coming out at No. 1 in the rankings.
The Top 15:
1. Florida State
2. Alabama
3. Clemson
4. Michigan
5. LSU
6. Ohio State
7. Tennessee
8. Oklahoma
9. Oklahoma State
10. Ole Miss
11. Louisville
12. Georgia
13. Washington
14. Texas A&M
15. UCLA
How is LSU still No. 5 after losing to Wisconsin, who isn't even in the Top 15? How is Alabama not No. 1? They hit all the checkmarks: beating a team FPI respects, good overall strength of schedule, huge margin of victory... seems odd.
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Also, Georgia went down from No. 11 to No. 12 after they got a big win over North Carolina. Still trying to figure that one out.
Maybe FPI will figure out things by the end of the season, but... don't count on it.