ESPN’s Football Power Index uses a formula to try and predict future performance and game outcomes. While some writers may simply predict (guess) outcomes, the FPI provides a mathematical approach, which suggests it might be more accurate.

Some at the national level such as The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel have passed them off as a public relations ploy, but there does appear to be some level of science behind it. After all, it pegged a number of win totals last season for SEC programs, including eventual national champion Alabama.

Here’s how the FPI sees the SEC East shaking out in 2018 when it comes to chance to win the league.

To nobody’s surprise, the FPI overwhelmingly gives the reigning Rose Bowl Champion Bulldogs the best chance to win the SEC East with the return of QB Jake Fromm and the added wrinkle of Justin Fields.

The Bulldogs will have to retool a little with the departures of RBs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. Georgia will have to rely more on up-and-coming back D’Andre Swift. Even Swift had 597 yards rushing and three touchdowns last season.

Florida’s chances seem to rely more heavily on whether Dan Mullen can revamp the Gators’ offense and bring a winning attitude back to Gainesville, but he’ll also have a QB battle on his hands in fall camp with Feleipe Franks, Kyle Trask and Emory Jones all looking for playing time.

Beyond those two programs, the FPI doesn’t give any other team much of a shot, even dropping the Gamecocks to the No. 3 slot behind Florida, even after the Gamecocks finished 9-4 last season compared to the Gators 4-7 record.