ESPN releases updated FPI Top 25 rankings after Week 14 of college football

In the fallout of another exciting week of college football action, ESPN has overhauled its FPI rankings. Week 14 brought with it no shortage of high profile matchups and star-making performances.

Keep in mind, the Football Power Index (FPI) is a tool ESPN uses to measure team strength as the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. These rankings are the projected results based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, as well as results to date, and each team’s remaining schedule.

That being said, here’s how ESPN’s FPI shook up after Week 14. Did your team make the list?

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes finished the regular season 12-0 by beating Michigan and ending a four-game losing streak to the Wolverines. Ryan Day and crew are cruising into the Big Ten Championship and on top of the FPI.

Julian Sayin overcame an early interception and the Buckeyes’ defense shut down any semblance of the Michigan offense in the second half. Now the journey to repeat begins.

2. Indiana

The other 12-0 team in the land is Indiana after they crushed Purdue 56-3. Curt Cignetti’s crew is No. 2 in the FPI and pretty much second to Ohio State in every metric.

But now, they get a chance to prove they are better in Indianapolis next week. The No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff is on the line in next week’s Big Ten Championship.

3. Notre Dame

Notre Dame remained in the top three of the FPI this week as they ended the season with its 10th straight win. They have no conference championship game, so their fate is in the hands of the CFP committee.

After beating Stanford 49-20, it’s clear to most that the Irish are playoff worthy, despite a softer schedule than others. We’ll see on Selection Sunday won’t we?!

4. Oregon

Oregon might’ve been the quietest 11-1 team to end its regular season Saturday. The Ducks’ head to head loss to Indiana kept them out of the Big Ten title game, but they remained top four in the FPI.

Oregon went on the road and beat a tough Washington team 26-14 and will await its seeding in the CFP. Perhaps the team could use a little rest!

5. Texas Tech (+2)

Jacob Rodriguez for Heisman! Well, the Red Raiders are trying by giving him offensive snaps to show how good he is, but Rodriguez threw a goal line interception in the 49-0 win over West Virginia.

Still, Texas Tech moved up two spots in the FPI as they finished the regular season 11-1. They’ll get a rematch with BYU in next week’s Big 12 title game with a CFP spot on the line.

6. Alabama (-1)

Alabama moved down a spot in the FPI, but beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl to finish 10-2 and punch their ticket to the SEC Championship. In all likelihood, both Alabama and Georgia will make the CFP if recent history is any indication. Although a 10-3 Alabama team would be quite the topic of conversation.

But this game next week is for seeding and a potential bye. Good on Kalen DeBoer and crew to keep the fight and win on the road to put themselves in a much better position than Year 1.

7. Miami (+3)

Miami vaulted three spots up in the FPI rankings this week following a win over Pitt. The Hurricanes are the highest ranked ACC team across the polls and won’t be playing in the conference title game.

That’s kind of crazy isn’t it? But, with two ACC losses, Miami’s 10-2 record and resume is in the hands of the committee and will be directly compared to others, such as Notre Dame. That’s been quite the debate even though Miami beat them head to head.

8. Georgia (-2)

The Bulldogs dropped two spots in the FPI due to other movement, but they beat rival Georgia Tech to end the season. Kirby Smart and crew will get a rematch with Alabama in next week’s SEC Championship Game.

Since they’re both 11-1, both teams could make the CFP regardless. It might just affect whether they get a home or road game or a first round bye.

9. Utah (-1)

The Utes beat Kansas on the road Friday night to finish 10-2. Whether they make the CFP is anyone’s guess, but they have a fighting chance.

Kyle Whittingham and crew moved down one spot in the FPI, but remained a top 10 team. Overall, this was a tremendous bounce back after a down 2024 year.

10. Texas A&M (-1)

The Aggies dropped a spot in the FPI after losing to Texas Friday night. It ended their hopes of an undefeated season and SEC Championship. 

Now, Mike Elko and crew will await their playoff positioning. At 11-1 and being primarily a top three team in those rankings all year will give them grace. But how far will they drop?

ESPN updates FPI Top 25 after Week 14

11. USC
12. Ole Miss (+1)
13. Texas (-1)
14. Vanderbilt (+3)
15. BYU
16. Oklahoma (-2)
17. Penn State (+2)
18. Tennessee (-2)
19. Michigan (-1)
20. Iowa (+2)
21. Missouri (-1)
22. Washington (-1)
23. USF (+3)
24. SMU (-1)
25. LSU