ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) has been bullish on Alabama Football for weeks. After the Crimson Tide's win over Tennessee, the FPI favors the Tide's postseason chances even more.
Alabama is given a whopping lead in the probability of becoming the SEC Champion. Alabama Football is at 57.3%. The next closest team is the Georgia Bulldogs at 18.6%, and Texas A&M is third at 8.5%.
The SEC has eight teams with a 31.9% or higher probability of making the 12-team Playoff field. The Crimson Tide leads at 90.2%, followed by Texas A&M (84.4%), Georgia (81.7%), Ole Miss (48.9%), Oklahoma (42.8%), Texas (39.4%), Vanderbilt (33.7%), and Missouri (31.9%).
The ESPN metrics have the Crimson Tide with the No. 2 Strength of Schedule (SOS) among all FBS teams. Despite Alabama's opening season loss to a now faltering Florida State, the ESPN analytics has the Crimson Tide with the FBS' No. 4 Strength of Record (SOR).
Alabama Football a Legit National Championship Contender
ESPN has five FBS teams with a 19.5% or higher probability of making the National Championship Game. Two Big Ten teams lead the way: the Ohio State Buckeyes at 42.3% and the Indiana Hoosiers at 28.1%. Alabama is the top SEC team at 27.2%. The Oregon Ducks are at 20% and the Georgia Bulldogs are at 19.5%.
Alabama is also the third favorite to win the National Championship. Ohio State's probability is 27.5%, followed by Indiana at 14.5% and Alabama at 14.3%. Oregon at 10.4% is the only other team with double-digit national championship chances.
There is another interesting set of numbers for Alabama football fans. In Defensive Efficiency, ESPN ranks Alabama as No. 4 among SEC teams. Only Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU are rated higher than the Crimson Tide.
In Overall Team Efficiency, Alabama is No. 7 among FBS teams. Alabama's overall ranking is drug down by being rated at No. 86 in Special Teams Efficiency.
Brian Fremeau's FEI Rankings will not be out for a couple of days. It will be interesting to see how his opponent-adjusted ratings compare.