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ESPN shakes up FPI Top 25 rankings after wild Week 8 of college football

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko14 hours agonickkosko59
ESPN shakes up FPI Top 25 rankings after wild Week 8 of college football
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ESPN shook up its latest FPI Top 25 rankings following a wild Week 8 of college football featuring upsets, domination and down to the wire games. Naturally, there will be much debate about the list.

FPI doesn’t use votes, just data, metrics and future projections. We have an interesting look at some of the best teams in college football.

So, let’s dive into the latest FPI rankings from ESPN. We’ll start at the top with some shakeups in the top 10!

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes just kept on winning, this time 34-0 over Wisconsin on the road. The Buckeyes are one of the few undefeated teams across the entirety of college football as well.

So with that, they are No. 1 in the FPI this week, looking like they might have to match up with Indiana for the Big Ten title. This team looks like they’re on cruise control.

2. Oregon (+3)

Oregon QB Dante Moore
(Photo by: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

Oregon immediately shook off the loss to Indiana with a smackdown of Rutgers on the road. The Ducks moved up three spots in the FPI as a result.

In the 56-10 win, Dante Moore threw four touchdowns and Oregon racked up 750 total yards in Piscataway. You read that right.

3. Alabama

Alabama took down Tennessee in their rivalry clash 37-20 after building a 23-7 lead at halftime, thanks to a pick six. The Crimson Tide stood pat in the FPI rankings though.

The passing game was alive with Ty Simpson throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The defense forced the game-changing pick and had four sacks as well.

4. Indiana (-2)

Indiana is 7-0, overcame a slow start, beat Michigan State 38-13 at home and still dropped two spots in the FPI. We’re sure Curt Cignetti cares about it!

In any event, Fernando Mendoza tossed four touchdowns in another romp of a Big Ten opponent. Once again, the Hoosiers are no fluke.

5. Notre Dame (-1)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball while USC Trojans safety Bishop Fitzgerald (19) defends in the second half at Notre Dame Stadium
(Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)

Notre Dame went back and forth against USC before pulling away in the end, winning 34-24 over the Trojans. With their fifth win in a row, the Fighting Irish look like a College Football Playoff team again.

But of course, they dropped in the ESPN FPI rankings. Notre Dame should be favored in their final five to try and make the CFP.

6. Georgia

The Bulldogs won a thriller over Ole Miss at home. A fourth quarter rally gave Kirby Smart and crew their sixth win of the season.

They didn’t shift in the FPI this week, but gave the Rebels their first loss. Looks like it’s back to thinking about SEC titles for Georgia!

7. Texas

Texas had one ugly win on Saturday night. They went into Lexington and edged out Kentucky 16-13 in overtime.

Arch Manning threw for just 132 yards on 12-of-26 passing and the run game managed just 132 yards. Still, the Longhorns stayed in the top 10 of the FPI and improved to 5-2 on the season.

8. USC (+1)

Lincoln Riley, USC
© Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Trojans moved up the FPI this weekend despite losing by double digits on the road. USC is now 5-2 on the season following the loss to Notre Dame.

USC has an intriguing schedule remaining, having to go to Nebraska in two weeks, but play Northwestern and Iowa at home after that. They finish up with Oregon on the road and home against UCLA. This could be a rollercoaster!

9. Miami (-1)

We have to go back to Friday night as Miami started a string of ranked teams losing this weekend. But the Hurricanes remained in the top 10 of the FPI after the weekend.

Carson Beck played his worst game of the season, throwing four interceptions, including the game ender in a 24-21 loss. The good news is, eliminating some crucial mistakes can get them back on the right track the rest of the way.

10. Texas A&M (+1)

Texas A&M needed a shootout to beat Arkansas on the road, but the Aggies are back in the top 10 of the FPI and still undefeated. That’s right, don’t forget about Mike Elko and crew at 7-0 this season!

Marcel Reed tossed three touchdowns in the win and the defense did enough to hold off the Razorbacks in the fourth quarter. Bonafide SEC contender here.

ESPN updates FPI Top 25 rankings after Week 8

11. Ole Miss (+1)
12. Texas Tech (-2)
13. Tennessee
14. Oklahoma (+6)
15. Utah (-1)
16. Michigan (+2)
17. Missouri (-2)
18. Vanderbilt (-2)
19. BYU
20. LSU (-3)
21. Penn State
22. Washington
23. Auburn (+1)
24. Iowa (+2)
25. Louisville (+12)