ESPN shakes up FPI Top 25 rankings after wild Week 7 of college football

ESPN shook up its latest FPI Top 25 rankings following a wild Week 7 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

Ohio State controlled the game throughout the day against Illinois, winning 34-16. The Buckeyes are still undefeated and atop the FPI rankings this week.

This is the best team in college football, as it stands right now. The unbeatens are dropping, but Ohio State stands out among the rest.

2. Indiana (+2)

Indiana had its biggest win, arguably, in program history Saturday. They knocked off No. 3 (AP Poll) Oregon in Eugene!

Curt Cignetti said all he does is win, so Google him. Well after falling short against the big boys last year, Indiana is now in the elite tier of the Big Ten and college football halfway through the year. They moved up to No. 2 in FPI rankings.

3. Alabama

Alabama won a tight one on the road at Missouri with a game-ending interception of Beau Pribula. The Crimson Tide are winners of five in a row and remained in the top three of the FPI.

It’s actually amazing to see what happened Week 1 compared to now for Alabama. Long gone is that team that lost to Florida State.

4. Notre Dame (+1)

That’s now four wins in a row for Notre Dame after losing to Miami and Texas A&M to start the year. The Fighting Irish also moved up one spot in the FPI rankings this weekend.

CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love were impressive again in a 36-7 win over NC State at home. Next up is a major showdown with USC at home in primetime.

5. Oregon (-3)

Oregon lost its first game of the season and the Ducks moved down three spots in the FPI this week. It was a bit of a stunner, albeit against a really good football team.

Dante Moore had a tough day, throwing two interceptions as Oregon really couldn’t get the offense going consistently in a 30-20 loss. They’ll head to Rutgers next weekend in a get right game. 

6. Georgia

Georgia avoided an upset at Auburn over the weekend, beating the Tigers 20-10. Gunner Stockton did what he had to do through the air and on the ground.

17 second half points aided the Bulldogs to victory. With that, they stayed within the top 10 of ESPN’s FPI.

7. Texas (+1)

Texas struggled with Florida but made a statement with a 23-6 win over rival Oklahoma, stunning the Sooners. Arch Manning played well and the Longhorns moved up a spot in the FPI this week.

Now at 4-2, things are looking up for Texas. They are 1-1 in the SEC and certainly can maneuver a wild run to the College Football Playoff.

8. Miami (+1)

Miami had a week off following a win over Florida State last weekend. The Hurricanes moved up a spot in the FPI due to other movement though.

The Hurricanes are the top tier of the ACC and they control their destiny halfway through the year. Miami is back in action against Louisville Friday night.

9. USC (+1)

All eyes were on Michigan this weekend, but USC dominated 31-13 to improve to 5-1 this year. Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are suddenly a dark horse factor in the Big Ten.

Yes, there’s the loss to Illinois, but the Trojans can move up more than one spot in the FPI with a win over Notre Dame next week. Massive opportunity coming!

10. Texas Tech (+5)

The Red Raiders vaulted up five spots in the FPI this week after a dominant 42-17 win over Kansas. Texas Tech is now 6-0 and can smell the College Football Playoff down the road.

This game was interesting considering Behren Morton was injured again, paving the way for QB Will Hammond. This was a 21-17 lead for Texas Tech at halftime before Cameron Dickey dominated with 263 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

ESPN updates FPI Top 25 after Week 7

11. Texas A&M (+2)
12. Ole Miss (-5)
13. Tennessee (-2)
14. Utah (+7)
15. Missouri (+3)
16. Vanderbilt
17. Michigan (-5)
18. LSU (-1)
19. BYU (+1)
20. Oklahoma (-5)
21. Penn State (-2)
22. Washington (+5)
23. Nebraska (-1)
24. Auburn (-1)
25. Florida State (-1)