Alabama edges Ohio State football in ESPN’s preseason FPI ranking, but Buckeyes lead in playoff odds

COLUMBUS, Ohio — ESPN’s preseason Soccer Energy Index says Ohio State soccer and Alabama will play for the nationwide championship for the second time in three years.

The Crimson Tide topped the preseason rating with a rating of 28.9 — merely 0.6 factors forward of OSU. Defending nationwide champion Georgia is shut behind at 27.4, whereas FPI predicts Clemson (23.2) will even return to playoff type.

Nevertheless, the Buckeyes lead the contenders in a few of FPI’s predictive metrics. Ohio State’s 32.5% likelihood of going undefeated is one of the best within the nation. So is its general predicted win complete (11.8), its convention championship odds (73.6%) and its chance of constructing the playoff (82.3%).

FPI presently offers OSU a 50% likelihood to make the nationwide championship sport, with Alabama barely forward at 51.6%.

Amongst different FPI’s different notable preseason reads:

• Michigan will come again to earth a bit after its playoff run. The Wolverines are ranked seventh with 9.5 anticipated wins and a 9.9% likelihood of profitable the Huge Ten East.

• Wisconsin is the highest-ranked Huge Ten West group at No. 1. Nevertheless, No. 35 Nebraska is given barely increased odds to win the division and meet OSU within the Huge Ten championship sport (29.2-28.9).

• No. 6 Texas (21%) is the one group outdoors the highest 4 with a greater than 20% likelihood to succeed in the playoff. No. 5 Notre Dame (17.6%) is subsequent most-likely. The Combating Irish open the season at Ohio Stadium.

• Cincinnati, which reached the playoff final season underneath former OSU participant and coach Luke Fickell, is ranked No. 32, with solely an 0.4% likelihood of reaching the playoff.

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