ESPN updates FPI rankings after College Football Playoff semifinals, New Year's Six bowls

ESPN has revealed its updated Football Power Index (FPI) rankings following the College Football Playoff semifinals and other New Year’s Six bowl games. ESPN’s FPI tool measures a team’s true strength, and there are some major shakeups with the majority of bowl season in the books.

Updated ESPN FPI rankings

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
4. Michigan Wolverines
5. Oklahoma Sooners
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys
8. Clemson Tigers
9. Cincinnati Bearcats
10. Iowa State Cyclones
11. Utah Utes
12. Pittsburgh Panthers
13. Wisconsin Badgers
14. Texas A&M Aggies
15. Baylor Bears
16. NC State Wolfpack
17. Penn State Nittany Lions
18. Ole Miss Rebels
19. Michigan State Spartans
20. Auburn Tigers
21. Arkansas Razorbacks
22. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
23. Miami Hurricanes
24. Purdue Boilermakers
25. Tennessee Volunteers

The two teams in the championship come in on top

The top four teams in ESPN’s latest FPI rankings remain in tact from the previous update. But from there, there was significant movement. Oklahoma and Notre Dame swapped spots, while Oklahoma State rose one spot and Clemson rose three spots to enter the top ten. Arkansas and Wake Forest each rose seven spots to re-enter the top 25.

Appalachian State fell nine spots and Mississippi State dropped 12 spots, both falling out of the top 25.

ESPN’s FPI rankings reflect a crazy weekend of college football, notably in the College Football Playoff semifinal matchups and New Year’s Six bowl games. Alabama took down Cincinnati 27-6 to earn a spot in the national title game. Georgia dismantled Michigan 34-11 in the other semifinal game. Now, Alabama and Georgia are set for a SEC Championship rematch, instead this time a national title will be at stakes.

Oklahoma State and Notre Dame battled in a back and forth contest, but the Cowboys came away with a 37-35 victory. Ohio State and Utah also fought in a tight battle in the Rose Bowl, with a late field goal lifting Ohio State to a 48-45 win. Baylor also took down Ole Miss 21-7 in the Sugar Bowl, while Kentucky beat Iowa 20-17 in the Citrus Bowl.

There are two games left in this college football season. On Tuesday, Jan. 4, LSU and Kansas State will face off in the Texas Bowl at 9 p.m. ET. Then, on Monday, Jan. 10, Alabama and Georgia will face off in the CFP National Championship.