ESPN releases updated FPI Top 25 ahead of 2023 college football season

ESPN released its updated FPI rankings ahead of the 2023 college football season and the top 25 is in clear focus.

“The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” the ranking’s description reads. “FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is.

“Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.”

With the simulations used, this is how ESPN sees the college football landscape ahead of the fall. The No. 1 team may surprise you. Below is the top 25 in ESPN’s updated FPI.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes get the top spot going into the 2023 season. Ohio State doesn’t have its quarterback battle settled yet, but Kyle McCord or Devin Brown should do just fine.

Ryan Day has a history of coaching top notch quarterbacks. Justin Fields and CJ Stroud are great examples. With a bevy of offensive weapons like Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive talent returning, this is a national championship roster.

2. Alabama

Here comes Alabama, regardless of who Nick Saban’s quarterback is. The program went with some changes in the offseason, bringing in Tommy Rees as the offensive coordinator and Kevin Steele as the DC.

The quarterback competition isn’t done yet, and it could be one of three guys, but Alabama regularly produces a lot of NFL talent. It could be a revenge tour type of season after missing out on the College Football Playoff.

3. Georgia

The two-time defending national champions are No. 3 according to ESPN. Of course, the Bulldogs could very well be No. 1 in a short amount of time.

Carson Beck is slated to take over a team that could make history. With the way Kirby Smart coaches and recruits, Georgia is a force to be reckoned with year in and year out.

4. LSU

Year 1 under Brian Kelly was a big success, but the Tigers fell short of an SEC title and College Football Playoff berth. That’s now the expectation going into the 2023 season.

Jayden Daniels at quarterback, Harold Perkins at linebacker and more? Sign us up to see the Tigers in action this fall. This team is a real threat to Alabama, again, in the SEC West.

5. Texas

The Longhorns get quite a ranking from ESPN’s FPI going into the fall. There’s a lot of pressure on Steve Sarkisian to get it done at Texas this season before the program moves to the SEC in 2024.

Quinn Ewers, if healthy, is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. But like most, if not all years with Texas, the Longhorns have to prove they are “back.”

6. Michigan

The two-time defending Big Ten champions are below Ohio State and that’ll surely rub some fans in Ann Arbor the wrong way. But over the last two years, the Wolverines seemingly passed the Buckeyes.

Can Jim Harbaugh and crew do it for a third year in a row? That’s up to guys like JJ McCarthy, Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum.

7. USC

USC ended its season in disappointment but Lincoln Riley goes into Year 2 with the program with a clear vision. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is back under center and the Trojans are the favorite in a loaded Pac-12.

Of course, whatever happens to the Pac-12 itself is anyone’s guess, but USC should make it quite fun in 2023 before moving to the Big Ten. Can Riley get this team to the playoff? And actually win in the postseason?

8. Clemson

It seems like we forgot about Clemson after last season on the field and off of it amid realignment. Cade Klubnik was hailed as the next great quarterback but had mixed results as a true freshman.

But no matter. Dabo Swinney and crew went through a full offseason of tweaking and tinkering and Clemson is definitely the favorite in the ACC, along with Florida State. We could easily see the Tigers back in the playoff.

9. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman might finally have something cooking with the Fighting Irish. After a rough start, Notre Dame finished on a high note.

Now, the team has Sam Hartman at quarterback, giving Notre Dame a chance at a high powered offense going into 2023. The program still has its independence, so it’ll have to make its mark to get to the College Football Playoff.

10. Penn State

Oh yeah, this is another loaded Big Ten team that happens to play in the same division as Michigan and Ohio State. Drew Allar takes over at quarterback with weapons like Nick Singleton there to help.

James Franklin won a Big Ten title before but it’s definitely a challenge to do so again. But hey, Penn State could shake up the apple cart and come out on top in a tough conference.

Rest of ESPN’s Top 25, per FPI

11. Oklahoma
12. Tennessee
13. Oregon
14. Florida State
15. Utah
16. Ole Miss
17. TCU
18. Florida
19. Texas A&M
20. Wisconsin
21. Washington
22. Texas Tech
23. Baylor
24. Oregon State
25. North Carolina

Of course, this isn’t the top 25 all year and we could very well see big changes after just one week of games. One thing’s for sure, this will be a unique season before massive changes to the sport in 2024.