ESPN makes big changes to FPI Top 25 rankings after Week 12

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner•11/20/22•

Jonathan Wagner

The regular season has nearly come to an end. With just two games remaining before conference championships get underway, Week 12 began with major implications on the line. The action certainly lived up to the billing, and upsets tell the story of the weekend. Following all of the results, ESPN’s FPI Top 25 rankings have been updated with major movement following the chaotic Week 12 action.

Many teams are still vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and each of the top four teams struggled to an extent on Saturday. No. 1 Georgia defeated Kentucky 16-6, while No. 2 Ohio State eventually pulled away from Maryland, winning 43-30. No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 TCU both needed last second field goals to win their respective games, with the Wolverines beating Illinois 19-17 and the Horned Frogs taking down Baylor, 29-28.

The biggest surprise of the weekend, though, was No. 5 Tennessee not only losing against South Carolina, but being completely dominated. South Carolina controlled the game throughout, ultimately winning 63-38. The loss essentially wipes Tennessee out of the CFP race, which is a crushing blow with that feat feeling so close entering the weekend.

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There were two matchups between ranked teams this weekend, both coming from the Pac-12. No. 7 USC defeated No. 16 UCLA in a back-and-forth shootout, with the Trojans further solidifying their status as a true CFP contender. Meanwhile, No. 12 Oregon defeated No. 10 Utah in a lower scoring game, with the Ducks winning 20-17.

Additionally, multiple other ranked teams lost over the weekend. No. 13 North Carolina fell against Georgia Tech, while Arkansas cruised against No. 14 Ole Miss. No. 20 UCF (AP-ranked No. 17) lost against Navy, and No. 22 Oklahoma State (AP-ranked No. 24) fell to Oklahoma. No. 24 NC State (unranked in AP Top 25) also lost, falling against Louisville.

With the Week 12 action, ESPN’s FPI Top 25 rankings again look different. They include some interesting teams, which surely differ greatly from the CFP and AP rankings.

Updated ESPN FPI Top 25 after Week 12

  1. Georgia Bulldogs (11-0) (—)
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) (—)
  3. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2) (—)
  4. Michigan Wolverines (11-0) (—)
  5. Texas Longhorns (7-4) (+2)
  6. Tennessee Volunteers (9-2) (-1)
  7. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2) (+1)
  8. Utah Utes (8-3) (-1)
  9. Clemson Tigers (10-1) (—)
  10. LSU Tigers (9-2) (—)
  11. Florida State Seminoles (8-3) (—)
  12. Kansas State Wildcats (8-3) (—)
  13. Oregon Ducks (8-3) (—)
  14. USC Trojans (10-1) (—)
  15. TCU Horned Frogs (11-0) (+1)
  16. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) (+1)
  17. Ole Miss Rebels (8-3) (-1)
  18. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-4) (+2)
  19. Baylor Bears (6-5) (—)
  20. Louisville Cardinals (7-4) (+2)
  21. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-4) (-3)
  22. Washington Huskies (9-2) (+5)
  23. Oregon State Beavers (8-3) (+5)
  24. Oklahoma Sooners (6-5) (+1)
  25. Wisconsin Badgers (6-5) (-2)