The Buckeyes are top of the world in ESPN's first advanced stats rankings, but many of the selections below seem mighty questionable
The preseason AP Poll and other prominent ranking systems aren't out yet, although Ohio State figures to have a lofty initial ranking. One system that did just come out is ESPN's FPI, or Football Power Index projections, and the first batch of rankings have the defending national champs, well, number one. Some of the selections a few slots below Ohio State though, look a little suspicious.
Here's how ESPN defines the FPI thusly:
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.