ESPN updated its rankings on Sunday, with bowl game results and Playoff First Round games causing movement among teams. The Texas Longhorns are No. 1 in the latest FPI and is the team ESPN's algorithm gives the highest probability of winning the National Championship, at 27.2%.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have the next highest probability at 20%, followed by Ohio State at 17.3%, Georgia at 12.9% and Penn State at 12.1%. The only other team ESPN gives a chance to win it all is the Oregon Ducks at 7.7%.
Many Alabama football fans may not care much about which team wins it all. Though, Texas or Georgia winning it all, would be good for the entire SEC.
What probably interests Crimson Tide fans much more is the latest FPI has the Alabama Crimson Tide as the nation's No. 4 team. Between Texas at No. 1 and Alabama at No. 4 are No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Notre Dame. Rounding out the FPI's top 10 are Georgia at No. 5; Oregon at No. 6; Ole Miss at No. 7; Penn State at No. 8; Tennessee at No. 9 and Indiana at No. 10.
Ranked well below Alabama Football, but advancing to the Quarterfinals of the CFB Playoff are Arizona State at No. 22 and Boise State at No. 24.
Before continuing, a reminder that the three-loss Crimson Tide has no one but itself to blame for not making the Playoff. Even so, Alabama football fans can rightfully point to the new ranking for the 11-3, SMU Mustangs at No. 13. Clemson is ranked two spots lower at No. 15.
Alabama Football, Texas and eight other SEC teams in FPI Top 25.
In addition to Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, five more SEC teams are ranked in the top 25 in the latest FPI. South Carolina is No. 14; Texas A&M is No. 16; LSU is No. 17; Florida is No. 19; and Missouri is No. 21. Oklahoma is just outside the top 25 at No. 26.
ESPN is, of course, not intentionally using the FPI to shame the CFP Selection Committee. They don't have to. Paul Finebaum and Kirk Herbstreit are doing it for them. The rumor that some Selection Committee members have signed up for the Witness Protection Program is not true. Why would they? The committee did its job and selected the 12 most deserving teams. They can't be faulted that so many of the 12 could not be on any sensible list of college football's 12-best teams.