ESPN FPI Top 25: New No. 1, big changes after Week 4 of college football

After four weeks of the 2021 college football season, there is a new team at the top of the latest ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) Top 25 rankings. Week 4 saw four teams lose to unranked opponents, causing some big changes in the rankings.

Clemson was the highest ranked team to lose in Week 4, as the previously No. 9 Tigers fell in double overtime to NC State. Iowa State, North Carolina, and Kansas State were the other three teams inside the Top 25 to lose to teams not ranked. Notre Dame also defeated Wisconsin and Arkansas topped Texas A&M in Week 4’s two matchups between two top 25 teams, also impacting this week’s movement.

ESPN FPI Top 25 rankings after Week 4

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
5. Clemson Tigers
6. Florida Gators
7. Michigan Wolverines
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Ole Miss Rebels
10. Oregon Ducks
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
12. Iowa State Cyclones
13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
15. Michigan State Spartans
16. Pittsburgh Panthers
17. Cincinnati Bearcats
18. NC State Wolfpack
19. Auburn Tigers
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Iowa Hawkeyes
22. LSU Tigers
23. North Carolina Tar Heels
24. Miami Hurricanes
25. UCLA Bruins

Biggest changes in the rankings

The most notable change in the rankings after Week 4 is the change at the top. Georgia rose one spot to the top, while Alabama falls to No. 2. The third through fifth spots remain unchanged with Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Clemson standing pat. Texas also rose four spots to join the top 10.

There were eight teams that rose at least four spots in the rankings. In addition to Texas, Iowa State (No. 12), NC State (No. 18), and LSU (No. 22) rose exactly four spots. Miami was the biggest riser after Week 4, jumping 11 spots to No. 24. Other teams to see major rises include Notre Dame (eight spots to No. 13), Arkansas (six spots to No. 14), and Pittsburgh (nine spots to No. 16).

Week 4 also resulted in a number of big fallers inside the Top 25 rankings. Some notable fallers include Auburn (eight spots to No. 19), Texas A&M (six spots to No. 20), Iowa (six spots to No. 21), and North Carolina (ten spots to No. 23). Wisconsin also dropped eight spots, falling out of the Top 25. Virginia Tech (14 spots to No. 37) and USC (15 spots to No. 39) were the other two teams to fall outside of the Top 25.

In addition to Wisconsin (No. 27), the teams that are just on the outside looking in at the Top 25 rankings after Week 4 include Nebraska, SMU, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Baylor, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech.