Ben Kenney
June 5, 2024 7:45 am CT
ESPN recently released its FPI power rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season
The metric is packed with Big Ten and SEC teams at the top. The SEC’s Georgia (No. 1), Texas (No. 3) and Alabama (No. 5) lead the way with the Big Ten’s Oregon (No. 2) and Ohio State (No. 4) also in the mix. In total, nine of FPI’s top 10 teams reside in the SEC or Big Ten, plus 17 of its top 20.
Related: Where every Big Ten team ranks in ESPN’s 2024 College Football Power Index
Wisconsin is not among FPI’s top teams entering the season, to say the least. The metric is low on the Badgers after consecutive 7-6 seasons. The team sits at No. 39 overall, with a projected record of 5.8-6.2 and only a 57.4% projected likelihood to win six-plus games.
Badgers fans hope ESPN SP+ has a better gauge on the team entering the season, as that metric has it No. 27 in the nation with the No. 7-ranked defensive unit.
Either way, Fickell’s group will have to navigate a gauntlet schedule in the first year of the expanded Big Ten. The team has home matchups vs. Alabama, Oregon, Penn State and Minnesota, plus road battles at USC, Iowa and Nebraska. The days of the Big Ten West are unfortunately over.
Just how challenging will the slate be? Here’s ESPN FPI’s strength of schedule rankings entering the 2024 season:
1
Florida Gators
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gameco*cks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Texas A&M, at Tennessee, at Georgia, at Texas, vs. LSU, vs. Ole Miss, at Florida State
FPI Ranking: No. 20 (10.1)
Projected Record: 5.9-6.1
Get more (Florida) news, analysis, and opinions onGators Wire
2
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Nov 23, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jo’Quavious Marks (7) runs the ball as Mississippi Rebels defensive back Daijahn Anthony (3) and linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (11) make the tackle during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at Texas, at Georgia, vs. Texas A&M, at Tennessee, vs. Missouri, at Ole Miss
FPI Ranking: No. 49 (3.5)
Projected Record: 5.1-6.9
3
Georgia Bulldogs
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts after defeating Florida State Seminoles in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at Clemson, at Alabama, at Texas, at Ole Miss, vs. Tennessee
FPI Ranking: No. 1 (26.8)
Projected Record: 10.3-2.1
Get more (Georgia) news, analysis, and opinions onUGA Wire
4
Kentucky Wildcats
Sep 30, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks off the field after the game against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Georgia, at Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Texas
FPI Ranking: No. 34 (6.2)
Projected Record: 6.0-6.0
5
Auburn Tigers
Auburn Tigers football coach Hugh Freeze and athletic director John Cohen pose for photos during Freeze’s introduction at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: vs. Oklahoma, at Georgia, at Missouri, at Kentucky, vs. Texas A&M, at Alabama
FPI Ranking: No. 19 (10.1)
Projected Record: 7.2-4.9
Get more (Auburn) news, analysis, and opinions onAuburn Wire
6
Alabama Crimson Tide
April 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer coaches his team during practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: at Wisconsin, vs. Alabama, at Tennessee, vs. Missouri, at LSU, at Oklahoma, vs. Auburn
FPI Ranking: No. 5 (21.9)
Projected Record: 9.3-3.0
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis, and opinions onRoll Tide Wire
7
Oklahoma Sooners
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Tennessee, at Auburn, vs. Texas, at Ole Miss, at Missouri, vs. Alabama, at LSU
FPI Ranking: No. 8 (17.2)
Projected Record: 8.2-3.9
Get more (Oklahoma) news, analysis, and opinions onSooners Wire
8
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during preseason football practice held on UT’s campus on Monday, August 7, 2023. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: at Oklahoma, vs. Alabama, at Georgia
FPI Ranking: No. 9 (16.6)
Projected Record: 8.6-3.5
Get more (Tennessee) news, analysis, and opinions onVols Wire
9
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Oct 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jeff Sims (10) throws a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Florida State, at Louisville, vs. Notre Dame, at Virginia Tech, vs. Miami, at Georgia
FPI Ranking: No. 54 (2.1)
Projected Record: 4.9-7.2
10
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian greets wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) while warming up for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoffsemifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: at Michigan, at Oklahoma, vs. Georgia, vs. Kentucky, at Texas A&M
FPI Ranking: No. 3 (22.9)
Projected Record: 10.0-2.4
Get more (Texas) news, analysis, and opinions onLonghorns Wire
11
Purdue Boilermakers
Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches his team play against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Notre Dame, at Oregon State, vs. Nebraska, at Wisconsin, vs. Oregon, at Ohio State, vs. Penn State
FPI Ranking: No. 60 (0.5)
Projected Record: 4.5-7.5
12
UCLA Bruins
Feb 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond, right, with new head football coach DeShaun Foster during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at LSU, vs. Oregon, at Penn State, at Nebraska, vs. Iowa, at Washington, vs. USC
FPI Ranking: No. 40 (4.9)
Projected Record: 5.5-6.5
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis, and opinions onUCLA Wire
13
Washington Huskies
Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies mascot Harry the Husky and cheerleaders pose after the Pac-12 Championship game against the Oregon Ducks at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Michigan, at Iowa, vs. USC, at Penn State, at Oregon
FPI Ranking: No. 31 (6.7)
Projected Record: 6.4-5.6
Get more (Washington) news, analysis, and opinions onHuskies Wire
14
Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea yells on the sideline during a football game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Credit: Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: vs. Virginia Tech, at Missouri, vs. Alabama, vs. Texas, at LSU, vs. Tennessee
FPI Ranking: No. 76 (-2.2)
Projected Record: 4.0-8.0
15
Illinois Fighting Illini
Oct 29, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Kansas, at Nebraska, at Penn State, vs. Michigan, at Oregon
FPI Ranking: No. 62 (0.2)
Projected Record: 5.3-6.7
16
Ohio State Buckeyes
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day walks off the field after losing 14-3 to Missouri Tigers in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: vs. Iowa, at Oregon, vs. Nebraska, at Penn State, vs. Michigan
FPI Ranking: No. 4 (22.2)
Projected Record: 10.2-2.2
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis, and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
17
South Carolina Gameco*cks
Sep 16, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gameco*cks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is chased by Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. LSU, vs. Ole Miss, at Alabama, at Oklahoma, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Missouri, at Clemson
FPI Ranking: No. 33 (6.2)
Projected Record: 6.0-6.0
18
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: vs. Texas, vs. USC, at Washington, vs. Oregon, at Ohio State
FPI Ranking: No. 12 (14.9)
Projected Record: 8.3-3.9
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions onWolverines Wire
19
Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State’s head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Notable Games: vs. Ohio State, at Oregon, vs. Iowa, at Michigan
FPI Ranking: No. 68 (-1.0)
Projected Record: 4.8-7.2
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis, and opinions onSpartans Wire
20
Texas A&M Aggies
Jul 21, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke head coach Mike Elko talks to the media during the second day of ACC Media Days at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Notre Dame, vs. Missouri, vs. LSU, vs. Texas
FPI Ranking: No. 14 (13.6)
Projected Record: 7.6-4.5
Get more (Texas A&M) news, analysis, and opinions onAggies Wire
21
Arkansas Razorbacks
Nov 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Jacolby Criswell (6) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at Oklahoma State, at Auburn, at Texas A&M, vs. Tennessee, vs. LSU, vs. Ole Miss, vs. Texas, at Missouri
FPI Ranking: No. 44 (4.6)
Projected Record: 5.5-6.5
Get more (Arkansas) news, analysis, and opinions onRazorbacks Wire
22
Ole Miss Rebels
Nov 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA;Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks with a referee after a call during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at LSU, vs. Oklahoma, vs. Georgia
FPI Ranking: No. 16 (12.0)
Projected Record: 7.9-4.2
23
LSU Tigers
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talk on the podium after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: at USC, vs. Ole Miss, at Texas A&M, vs. Alabama, vs. Oklahoma
FPI Ranking: No. 13 (14.6)
Projected Record: 7.9-4.2
Get more (LSU) news, analysis, and opinions onLSU Wire
24
Wisconsin Badgers
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads the football team onto the field for warmups prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. Alabama, vs. Oregon, vs. Penn State, at USC, at Iowa, at Nebraska
FPI Ranking: No. 39 (5.0)
Projected Record: 5.8-6.2
25
Maryland Terrapins
Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Notable Games: vs. USC, at Oregon, vs. Iowa, at Penn State
FPI Ranking: No. 46 (4.1)
Projected Record: 6.6-5.4
26
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