Where Does USC Stand in ESPN's Latest FPI Top 25 Ranking?
After two convincing wins, the USC Trojans currently appear to be the class of what's looking like a very strong Pac-12 Conference.
It's one thing to use the old 'eye test' when ranking teams in different conferences. However, it's another when using a measured, data-driven model.
After Saturday's slate of games came to a close, ESPN released its updated FPI Top 25 List.
ESPN describes the FPI as "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. 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."
According to ESPN, Alabama is the country's No. 1 overall team per the Football Power Index (FPI).
Here's how the entirety of the Top 10 shakes out (as of Sunday afternoon):
10. Texas
9. Clemson
8. Michigan
7. Notre Dame
6. USC
5. LSU
4. Oklahoma
3. Georgia
2. Ohio State
1. Alabama
Specifically, this is what ESPN had to say about the Trojans:
"USC is still the team to beat in the Pac-12 as Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes in the Trojans' 66-14 win against Nevada Saturday. The defense is still suspect and may not be truly tested until a showdown at Colorado in Week 5.
USC climbed two spots in the updated ESPN FPI Top 25 rankings and now has a 43.1% chance to win the Pac-12 title -- but there are a number of teams threatening after a strong start to the season for the league. The metric also gives Trojans a 26.8% chance to make the College Football Playoff -- the fifth-highest in the nation."
Fortunately for USC, there are some big opportunities to bolster a potential Playoff resume. The Trojans will face a suddenly dangerous Colorado team on the road in Boulder.
From there, USC has road games at Notre Dame and Oregon, as well as tough home contests against Washington, Utah, and UCLA.
