Okay, so get this: College football just pulled the biggest head-scratcher of the season. After Ohio State, previously ranked No. 1, had an absolute meltdown against No. 3 Texas, somehow, ESPN’s Football Power Index pushed them *up* to the No. 1 spot. Seriously, what?!
The Buckeyes’ Shocking Freefall
The Longhorns pulled off a stunner, beating Ohio State 24-23 on September 12. It was a brutal second half for Ryan Day’s squad. They were outscored 21-3 after halftime, and get this, Texas absolutely dominated the fourth quarter 21-0. That’s a collapse, plain and simple. An opinion in the source even called Day’s choice a “terrible call.” You just can’t give up 21 points in the final frame and expect to win. We saw Ohio State wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss on the field, with Texas QB Arch Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian bringing the heat at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. This was supposed to be Ohio State’s game, and they let it slip right through their fingers in Austin.
FPI’s Wild Logic That Changed Everything
Now, about this FPI thing. ESPN says it isn’t like the AP Top 25 or the Coaches Poll. It’s not a “reflection of a team’s resume” or what they’ve done already. No, FPI is all about projecting “team strength” and being the “best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season.” It’s supposed to measure how many points above or below average a team is, using 20,000 simulations of the season. They factor in results to date, the remaining schedule, and ultimately measure a team’s “true strength on a net points scale” against an average opponent on a neutral field. So even with that brutal 24-23 loss, the FPI algorithm looked at everything and said, “Nope, Ohio State’s *still* the best bet for the future.” Wild, right? They even jumped Texas, who actually *won* the game.
So, what does this even mean? Ohio State just took a huge L, especially giving up 21 points in the fourth quarter, but a major analytical index still sees them as the team to beat going forward. You gotta wonder if this FPI ranking has a crystal ball or if it’s just off its rocker. For fans of college football, it just means the conversation around Ohio State, Texas, and what constitutes a “top team” is going to be absolutely nuts this season. We’ll see if the Buckeyes can live up to this bizarre prediction next time out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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