ESPN FPI Predicts BYU vs Cincinnati, Updates Win Projection for the Cougars

Originally posted on FanNation Cougs Daily
By Casey Lundquist | Last updated 9/24/23

The first four games of BYU's 2023 season are in the books. The Cougars fell to Kansas on Saturday in a 38-27 loss. BYU is 3-1 as returns for the Big 12 home opener against Cincinnati. Cincinnati is 2-2 and coming off a 20-6 loss to Oklahoma. ESPN's predictive college football algorithm, the football power index, updated its prediction for BYU-Cincinnati. FPI gives BYU a 42.7% chance to beat Cincinnati at home.

Coming off a win over Arkansas, FPI projected BYU to finish with a 6.1-5.9 record and gave BYU a 63.2% chance to finish with six or more wins. After the loss to Kansas, FPI downgraded BYU's projected record to 5.4-6.6 and gives BYU just a 45.3% chance to finish with six or more wins.

BYU started the 2023 season ranked 60th in FPI. The Cougars improved to 56th with the win over Arkansas - they dropped five spots after the loss to Kansas to 61st nationally. BYU is now ranked above Oklahoma State (63), Houston (71) and Baylor (76).

Oklahoma is the the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the FPI rankings - the Sooners rank second nationally.

Big 12 FPI Rankings

Oklahoma - 2nd nationally
Texas - 6th nationally
Kansas State - 21st nationally
UCF - 25th nationally
TCU - 26th nationally
Texas Tech - 37th nationally
Cincinnati - 39th nationally
West Virginia - 47th nationally
Kansas - 51st nationally
Iowa State - 52nd nationally
BYU - 61st nationally
Oklahoma State - 63rd nationally
Houston - 71st nationally
Baylor - 76th nationally

In the FPI model, Oklahoma is given 49.1% chance to win the conference and Texas is second at 38.6%. TCU is third in line with a 2.6% chance to win the Big 12.

This article first appeared on FanNation Cougs Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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