An updated computer model now favors Alabama Football over Georgia

Many college football fans have a love-hate relationship with computer rankings and predictions. The same can be said about human polls. Alabama football fans are no different. We love high rankings for the Alabama Crimson Tide and disdain any contrary information.

In that vein, we can cast aside our doubts about computer algorithms and enjoy that Alabama's chances to win have increased for every remaining game on the regular season schedule. After college football's week two, ESPN Analytics has the Crimson Tide beating Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, and Oklahoma; along with Wisconsin, Mercer, and the SEC's lesser teams.

ESPN's Matchup Predictor gives Alabama a 52.6% probability of beating the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 28. Previously, the Bulldogs were favored at 59.1%. In the most recent ESPN calculations, the only game in which the Tide's win probability went down is against Tennessee. Against the Vols, the Crimson Tide was at 58% and is now at 56%.

Alabama Football Latest ESPN Analytics

• Alabama at Wisconsin (2-0) - Sept. 14 - Win probability for the Crimson Tide is 92.1%

• Georgia (2-0) at Alabama - Sept. 28 - Alabama at 52.6%

• Alabama at Vanderbilt (2-0) - Oct. 5 - Alabama at 90%

• South Carolina (2-0) at Alabama - Oct. 12 - Alabama at 91.5%

• Alabama at Tennessee (2-0) - Oct. 19 - Alabama at 56%

• Missouri (2-0) at Alabama - Oct. 26 - Alabama at 78.5%

• Alabama at LSU (1-1) - Nov. 9 - Alabama at 82.3%

• Mercer at Alabama - Nov. 16 - Alabama at 99%

• Alabama at Oklahoma (2-0) - Nov. 23 - Alabama at 74.6%

• Auburn (1-1) at Alabama - Nov. 30 - Alabama at 89.3%

College football fans scoffing at ESPN's FPI is common. For comparison, consider two other sources of computer rankings. The Prediction Tracker compiles a weekly ranking of 49 sources of computer predictions in its Computer Rating System Prediction Results. Two of the top three are the Sagarin Ratings and the Laz Index.

Sagarin ranks five SEC teams in the top six of the FBS, with Georgia, No. 1; Texas, No. 2; Ohio State, No. 3, Alabama No. 4, Ole Miss, No. 5 and Tennessee No. 6. In the Laz Index, the top five teams are all from the SEC. Alabama is No. 1; Texas, No. 2; Georgia, No. 3, Tennessee, No. 4 and Ole Miss, No. 5.

There is nothing conclusive about limited data after week 2 of college football. Much will change. At least for now, a remedy to stressing about Alabama Football's sketchy win over USF is provided by the computer models.