Coach Accuses ESPN of Rigging College Football Rankings

The latest college football rankings from ESPN are here by way of the network’s FPI. The Football Power Index was officially updated ahead of the 2025 season.

It should be noted this is the first major update since June. The number  in parentheses will reflect a team’s movement in the rankings or an “NR” in the case of being outside of the top 25 two months ago.

The comment came after ESPN released its adjusted FPI just one week before the season, sparking buzz across college football. The update sent Miami tumbling from No. 9 to No. 17 and Clemson slipping from No. 11 to No. 16, despite neither program experiencing major roster or staff changes since June.

For both schools, the drop wasn’t just cosmetic. ESPN’s metrics dramatically cut their chances to make the College Football Playoff. Miami fell from a 46.3% likelihood to 35.9%, while Clemson’s odds slid from 47.3% to 38.2%. That’s a nearly 10% drop for each — a steep decline considering the Tigers and Hurricanes are still viewed as the ACC’s two strongest contenders.

The shakeup allowed several SEC and Big Ten teams to leapfrog ahead, including Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU, Florida, USC, and Michigan. The late-summer movement sparked frustration among fans, and Lashlee’s reaction captured the skepticism many feel toward the advanced computer models.

Lashlee didn’t hold back when reposting the rankings to X (formerly Twitter). His “rigged” remark reflects a growing sentiment that preseason analytics often tilt toward certain leagues and programs.

FPI, along with other metrics from ESPN, have been criticized for its inaccuracy, relying more on probabilities and less on in-game action.