College Football HQ

Updated post-Week 4 ESPN college football rankings leave fans in disbelief

Joe Cox|
Miami fans are one of several groups with beef about the updating ESPN FPI rankings.
Miami fans are one of several groups with beef about the updating ESPN FPI rankings. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Miami (FL) HurricanesAlabama Crimson TideArkansas RazorbacksFlorida State SeminolesOklahoma Sooners

Another week of college football, another week of ESPN FPI rankings that leave fans somewhere between scratching their heads and dusting off their compilations of four-letter words. The mathematical rankings inevitably elicit the usual complaint-- that the math, frankly, doesn't make much sense. Week 4's edition brings much of the same problem.

Miami disrespect

One group particularly aggrieved are fans of the Miami Hurricanes. Miami blasted Florida 26-7 and fell a spot in the CFP rankings. Many Hurricane backers (and even non-Hurricane backers) are calling bull.

Alabama at No. 3

Another point that was a bit of an eye-opener is that the SEC's top ranked squad in the FPI is Alabama, who opened the season with a two-score loss to Florida State, who is unbeaten and ranked 22nd.

Arkansas's surprising spot

Another reaction point that tended to draw significant comment is 2-2 Arkansas still being inside the top 25. ESPN projects the Razorbacks to come up short of a six-win season and still says they're No. 25 in the nation.

SEC bias (again)

Of course, the Arkansas comments led into a discussion of the FPI's perceived SEC bias. With 12 of the league's 16 teams ranked in the top 25, it's not hard to see where critics are seeing a bit of favoritism.

Among the other controversial points were Michigan still being ranked above an Oklahoma team that bested it head-to-head. But as usual, the best feedback comes from those who just go after the entire FPI.

Overall takes

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Joe Cox
JOE COX

Joe is a journalist and writer who covers college and professional sports. He has written or co-written over a dozen sports books, including several regional best sellers. His last book, A Fine Team Man, is about Jackie Robinson and the lives he changed. Joe has been a guest on MLB Network, the Paul Finebaum show and numerous other television and radio shows. He has been inside MLB dugouts, covered bowl games and conference tournaments with Saturday Down South and still loves telling the stories of sports past and present.

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