ESPN gives Alabama slim chance of entering CFP undefeated

Alabama entered the College Football Playoff semifinal 13-0 last season. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Crimson Tide only a small chance of doing it again.

On the FPI, defined by ESPN as “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” Nick Saban’s squad only has a 10 percent chance of going into the bowl game 13-0. Ohio State, on the other hand, has a 35 percent chance.

The difference, unsurprisingly, comes from remaining strength of schedule. Alabama’s strength of schedule is currently ranked No. 11 while Ohio State’s is No. 52. Crimson Tide opponents FSU (No. 3 FPI), Auburn (No. 5), LSU (No. 10) and Tennessee (No. 19) are all ranked in the FPI’s top 20. Two potential SEC Championship Game opponents, Georgia (No. 13) and Florida (No. 14), are ranked in the top 15.

Considering the results of the 2012 and 2015 seasons, Alabama fans probably aren’t too worried about entering the postseason undefeated.

Ohio State has a 35 percent chance to reach bowl season without a loss according to FPI; no other team has more than a 10 percent chance. pic.twitter.com/4Q9zfRTUem

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 16, 2017

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.