Danny Kanell calls out ESPN’s ‘fishy’ FPI college football rankings

We can count Danny Kanell among those who think something is off with ESPN’s adjusted FPI college football rankings.

Citing the report from CFB Kings, Kanell called the adjusted rankings “fishy.” He noted that the ACC’s top two preseason teams, Miami and Clemson, significantly fell from June’s rankings. In June, Miami was ranked No. 9 in ESPN’s FPI while Clemson was ranked No. 11. Now, the Hurricanes are No. 17 and the Tigers are No. 16. Conversely, SEC teams like South Carolina and Florida moved up four and five spots, respectively. Kanell noted that there’s been virtually no change to justify such a shakeup since June, but did discuss one thing that has happened in the intervening weeks.

“Since media days, the SEC has been talking nonstop about strength of schedule, how their teams are so much tougher than everybody else’s,” Kanell said. “Maybe that’s what they plugged into the numbers, which aren’t supposed to take in conversations or talking points, but somehow, miraculously, here we are.”

Kanell also cited the difference in rankings between South Carolina and Illinois, who defeated the Gamecocks in a bowl game last season and enter this season with far less uncertainty.

“South Carolina, despite losing a significant portion of their roster, jumps up four spots,” Kanell said. “You know who should be livid? Bret Bielema, who beat this South Carolina team in their bowl game, brings back one of the most returning production of any team in college football, including their quarterback Luke Altmyer, and guess where they check in. All the way down at No. 37. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Kanell is not the only one to take issue with these rankings. SMU coach Rhett Lashlee responded to the CFB Kings report on X (formerly Twitter), bluntly saying, “The whole thing is rigged.”

Kanell theorized that the adjustments have been made to increase the likelihood that more SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff, making it less likely that the conference will be shut out of the National Championship Game for a third straight season.

“Every Big 12 and ACC fan should be absolutely terrified of what this means,” he said. “Because there is going to be a significant push this season to keep in those teams from the SEC, despite having potentially three losses, to put them into the playoff over 10-2 and yes, even 11-1 teams. They are terrified that they’ll only get three teams in. And once again, for the third year in a row, potentially, not having a team compete for the national championship. Something to be aware of. I wonder if ESPN will address this. But my hunch tells me no.”