ESPN’s FPI is largely a dumpster fire predictive metric and that has not changed. However, I see it as just one of the ranking tools used by a lot of members of the national and local sports media so while I think it is a dumpster fire — I cannot say that it is irrelevant. Though after this week, I’m starting to think that it means more than the AP Top 25 as some of those voters take their “process” so seriously that it sure looks like they are throwing darts at the wall.
For those who are interested,
here is a description of what ESPN’s FPI is supposed to show, straight from ESPN.com:
The Football Power Index (FPI) is 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. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.
The FPI gives a probability of a win in each of the Huskers remaining games, which to me is the most interesting part of the whole experiment. Also, for what it may be worth the FPI has Nebraska ranked #12 in the country.
Welp, on to the games. I’m going to list five of the most interesting game changes in Nebraska’s probability to win.
Michigan
Before: 41%
Now: 69.5%
Minnesota
Before: 53%
Now: 69.5%
USC
Before: 36%
Now: 39.5%
Penn State
Before: 16.3%
Now: 29.7%
Iowa
Before: 51.7%
Now: 76.9%
So Nebraska’s FPI now has Nebraska going 10-2 this season.
To be clear, I do not. I’m still at 8-4.
That would be glorious but we know that is not how sports work. Blowing out a bad Akron team 68-0 probably helps things and tomorrow’s game likely won’t do anything to lower these numbers. It will be the matchup with Michigan where we get to see exactly where this team is at.
SPORTS! SPORTS! JORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!
The 3-2-1: Raiola’s record pace, Blackshirts’ next test, and can NU run a punt back this week?
QB Dylan Raiola chasing records, newcomers impress, Blackshirts face run test, and bold call—Jacory Barney breaks a punt return.
We hit on that and more in this week’s 3-2-1 column with the latest insights, key questions, and one bold prediction.
Radio Rundown: John Butler, Andrew Marshall break down Blackshirts’ growth and defensive identity
Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler spoke on the Huskers Radio Network during the weekly coaches show. Starting cornerback Andrew Marshall also joined the play-by-play voice of the Huskers, Kyle Crooks, to break down his first two games in Lincoln.
Butler and Marshall each felt the Blackshirts made significant strides from week one to week two.
ESPN’s FPI sees big things ahead for Huskers after two weeks of 2025 season
A hot, 2-0 start for the Nebraska football team has the Huskers climbing ESPN’s FPI rankings heading into week three.
After knocking off Akron 68-0 on Saturday, Nebraska jumped all the way to No. 12 in the ESPN FPI rankings this week.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, team owners to meet amid Clippers investigation
NBA officials and team owners will meet today in New York for a regular preseason board of governors meeting as the league grapples with a high-profile controversy hanging over the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the 30 team owners — including Clippers owner Steve Ballmer — will gather as they reckon with a report that LA may have circumvented the salary cap utilizing Aspiration, a California-based environmental sustainability company. Silver will hold a press conference after the meeting, where reporters will ask the commissioner about the nascent league investigation into the relationship between Aspiration, the Clippers and Leonard.
From Iowa to New Orleans: The Athletic’s top 10 college bars 2025
The point of doing a list of the 10 best college bars is to give the reader a guide of places to check out if he or she ends up in one of these college towns. It is not to identify the places in those towns that pack in the most college students.
Charlie Kirk’s death draws reaction from Yankees, across sports world
The New York Yankees held a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, hours after the right-wing activist was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University.
