With the 2025 college football season drawing closer, ESPN has released its updated preseason rankings but not every fan is particularly impressed as the list draws criticism for an apparent bias towards the SEC.
Driven by its Football Power Index (FPI). The computer-based model, which simulates each team’s season 20,000 times, is designed to predict performance based on a range of factors including team strength, recruiting, schedule difficulty, and historical data.
Arch Manning causes chaos at Texas campus as students scramble to stop him
Yet, despite the sophisticated methodology behind the rankings, the release has prompted a wave of criticism with many accusing ESPN of perpetuating a bias.
Leading the pack in ESPN’s FPI projections are the Texas Longhorns, with Arch Manning slated to take over as the starting quarterback. Following them are the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.
Then comes the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas A&M Aggies, Miami Hurricanes and Tennessee Volunteers, a mix of Big Ten and ACC teams.
Whilst the model measures team strength by projected point margin against an average opponent on a neutral field, using team talent, opponent quality, and past performance, the rankings’ top-heavy SEC representation has left fans questioning the system’s objectivity.
One fan wrote on X.com, formerly Twitter, “eSECpn ‘computer generated’ FPI . At this point, does ESPN have any credibility as a sports network? Sucks it’s gotten to this stage but it’s basically like CNN / Fox putting out bogus data to make their respective parties appear superior. Conference branding for profit is the worst thing to happen to CFB.”
A second added, “Why isn’t every single SEC team ranked? Clearly better than everyone else.”
And a third said, “The SEC bias is STRONG with this one.”
Manning set to star amid high Longhorns expectations
Much of the anticipation around the Longhorns‘ 2025 campaign centers on Arch Manning, who is expected to lead Texas into its new era, as he takes over from Quinn Ewers; who is now with the Miami Dolphins in the NFL.
A former top recruit and the nephew of NFL legends Eli and Peyton Manning, Arch has drawn praise for his preparation and development from the Super Bowl champions in his family, tipping him for greatness too.
“Arch has done a great job on just how he’s handled (his) first two years,” said Eli. “He’s earned the respect of his teammates, his coaches, through his hard work, his dedication.
“He asks me great questions.”
Arch has quite the heritage to live up to. Between his uncles, they boast a combined four Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVPs, five NFL MVPs and 905 touchdowns and 128,963 passing yards.
They did that in the era of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots too, so if Arch can get anywhere near that standard then whoever selects him in the 2026 NFL Draft will have a devastating talent on their hands.
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