College football fans sometimes bash ESPN's algorithms. Alabama football fans may often agree, but currently, Crimson Tide fans can enjoy ESPN's FPI calculations. Despite an unimpressive Strength of Record (SOR) of No. 38, Alabama moved up one spot on Sunday to No. 3 in the Football Power Rankings (FPI). After their road win over Tennessee, Georgia moved up two spots to No. 4.
Including Texas at No. 6, Ole Miss at No. 8, and Tennessee at No. 9, half of the FPI top 10 teams are from the SEC. The other five in the top 10 are Big Ten teams, with Oregon and Ohio State leading the way at Nos. 1 and 2. At No. 10, Michigan made one of the current FPI's biggest moves, zooming up 19 spots.
In the opposite FPI direction, the South Carolina Gamecocks moved down 16 spots to No. 37, after losing at home to Vanderbilt, 31-7.
Remaining SOS for Alabama Football and other SEC Teams
The FPI algorithm for the entire FBS lists the Ole Miss Rebels and the Tennessee Vols with the least demanding future schedules among SEC teams. Compared to the entire FBS, Ole Miss has a remaining SOS of No. 33, with Tennessee at No. 28. Fairly close behind are the Texas A&M Aggies at No. 21. For SEC teams, the next six least demanding remaining SOSs are Georgia at No. 19, Texas at No. 18, Missouri at No. 16, Vanderbilt at No. 13, Kentucky at No. 11, and LSU at No. 10. The toughest remaining paths for SEC teams are Florida at No. 1, Mississippi State at No. 2, Oklahoma at No. 3, Auburn at No. 4, Arkansas at No. 5, Alabama at No. 6, and South Carolina at No. 7.
According to the FPI, Georgia has the highest probability of winning the SEC at 28.3%. The Alabama Crimson Tide is next at 19.6%. Georgia's probability of making the CFB Playoffs also tops the SEC at 77.1%, followed by Ole Miss at 59.8% and Alabama Football at 50.3%. Texas A&M is fourth among SEC teams at 46.9%.
The Vanderbilt Commodores are given little chance to win the SEC at 2.2%. Still, the Dores have a higher probability than Auburn, with the Tigers at 1.6%.
There is no reason to be exhilarated or dismayed by any of ESPN's calculations this early in the season. At best, they are glimpses through a fog until more data is added from another two or three weeks of games.