ESPN shakes up FPI Top 25 after Championship Weekend, ahead of final College Football Playoff rankings

In the fallout of another exciting week of college football action, ESPN has overhauled its FPI rankings. The Conference Championship Games brought with them 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. Indiana (+1)

The Hoosiers are the new kings of the FPI rankings with their 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. Defense and timely throws did it for Indiana.

Now at 13-0, Curt Cignetti and crew will be the top seed in the College Football Playoff. National championship is the next goal!

2. Ohio State (-1)

Ohio State was punched a little bit and couldn’t overcome Indiana’s defense after committing an early turnover. Not only that, they missed a 27-yard field goal to tie the game.

Still, Ryan Day and crew are No. 2 in the FPI and should have a first round bye in the CFP. Don’t think one loss is going to erase their chances of winning another title.

3. Notre Dame

Notre Dame stood pat last weekend and in the FPI rankings. At 10-2, they have to await their at-large fate in the CFP.

The Irish won 10 games in a row to end the season, giving them a chance at another playoff run. Now it’s in the hands of the committee.

4. Oregon 

The Ducks finished 11-1 in the regular season and should be in line for a home game in the College Football Playoff. The FPI rankings like this as a top four team in the country.

Dan Lanning and crew have been rolling pretty much all year but they want to prove they’re no one and done like last season. It’s a waiting game for the bracket.

5. Texas Tech

Texas Tech didn’t move in the FPI, but they won the Big 12 with a convincing win over BYU, again. In the 34-7 win, defense ruled the day as the Red Raiders forced four turnovers.

That should lock up a first round bye for Texas Tech too. What a season for Joey McGuire and company.

6. Georgia (+2)

Georgia overcame their Alabama demons in the SEC Championship and moved up two spots in the FPI. The Bulldogs won convincingly 28-7 and should get a first round bye.

In fact, Georgia didn’t allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter. On the flip side, Gunner Stockton was impressive and threw three touchdowns.

7. Miami

Miami has been making its case for the CFP for weeks. At 10-2, they’re firmly at No. 7 in the FPI rankings this week but their fate is in the hands of the committee.

Don’t forget, they have a win over Notre Dame head to head and the Irish are No. 3 in these rankings. Hold onto your butts!

8. Alabama (-2)

Alabama should still make the College Football Playoff, but the committee might have reason to shift them after a rough loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game. But hold on, conference title losers weren’t punished last year.

Plus Alabama, at 10-3, beat Georgia on the road earlier this year and should still be in the top 10. Heck, they’re in the top 10 of the FPI!

9. Utah

Utah is on the outside looking in when it comes to the CFP. But the Utes had a great 10-2 campaign, just missing out on the Big 12 title game.

Kyle Whittingham is nearing the end of his career, but he should be commended for a bounce back year like this. They’re a top 10 FPI team going into bowl season.

10. Texas A&M

Texas A&M, yeah remember them? They’ll be in the College Football Playoff, but it’s a matter of where they will be seeded after an 11-1 season.

The Aggies are in the top 10 of the FPI though, so let’s not erase their accomplishments in 2025 just because they lost to Texas.

ESPN FPI Top 25 updated after Championship Weekend

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