Texas checks in at No. 1 in ESPN FPI

The Texas Longhorns came in at No. 1 in ESPN’s updated preseason Football Power Index ratings topping Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Penn State. 

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With what should be one of the top defenses in the nation, featuring Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, Malik Muhammad, and a plethora of talent, along with the offensive potential of Arch Manning, Ryan Wingo, and many other weapons, Texas was given an FPI Rating of 24.5. This means they should beat the average team by about 25 points at a neutral site. 

But Texas won’t just be playing average teams—in fact, the Longhorns play the teams rated in the top five, in Georgia and Ohio State, and three teams rated in the top 10, adding in Texas A&M. 

ESPN actually has Texas three points ahead of Georgia, who was rated second with a score of 21.5. Alabama follows with a score of 20.7 points. 

Here is every SEC team’s rating:

1 – Texas, 24.5
2 – Georgia, 21.5 
3 – Alabama, 20.7 
8 – Tennessee, 16.6 
9 – Texas A&M, 15.5 
10 – Ole Miss, 15.5 
11 – South Carolina, 15.2 
12 – LSU, 14.8 
13 – Florida, 14.8
20 – Oklahoma, 10.9
21 – Auburn, 10.7
23 – Missouri, 10.4
27 – Arkansas, 9.4
43 – Kentucky, 5.8
49 – Vanderbilt, 4.4
54 – Mississippi State, 3.1

According to the model, Texas also has the highest chance of winning a national title, at 25%. No other team has a higher chance than 13.6% (Georgia). The Horns also have a 38.5% chance to make the national championship game, and an 86.7% chance of making the playoffs. 

However, the model can only tell us so much—the real first test comes August 30th in Columbus, Ohio. 

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FPI top 25

1. Texas
2. Goergia
3. Alabama
4. Ohio State
5. Penn State
6. Notre Dame
7. Oregon
8. Tennessee
9. Texas A&M
10. Ole Miss
11. South Carolina
12. LSU
13. Florida
14. USC
15. Michigan
16. Clemson
17. Miami
18. Kansas State
19. SMU
20. Oklahoma
21. Auburn
22. BYU
23. Missouri
24. Arizona State
25. Indiana