If you're an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, you might not want to keep reading this. ESPN has just released its post spring football power index, and there's a bit of a shake up in the Top 5. The FPI, according to ESPN, 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.
Sitting at No. 1 is the Florida State Seminoles, who despite losing to Clemson last year along with Houston in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl last season has received some positivity during spring, especially with star running back Dalvin Cook returning for 2016. No. 2 is LSU, who checked in at No. 1 in ESPN's previous FPI.
At. No. 3 is Oklahoma followed by Clemson at 4, and then comes the curious No. 5 — the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee checks in at 5 followed by Alabama at No. 6. That's right — Alabama missed the top five and is sitting behind Tennessee.
1) Florida State
2) LSU
3) Oklahoma
4) Clemson
5) Tennessee
6) Alabama
7) Ole Miss
8) USC
9) Oklahoma State
10) Georgia
Not to bash the Worldwide Leader, but ESPN has released a little bit of questionable predictions in the past with FPI — the previous one they released in April had Alabama pegged to have an 8-3 record for 2016. Previous FPI predictions has FSU winning the ACC over Clemson, and Tennessee winning the SEC East in 2016. You can see the full FPI by clicking here.
