Where ESPN Ranks Texas in its FPI After Overtime Win Against Kentucky

 The Longhorns beat the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night in overtime, and it was a rough showing for the offense, which was unable to acquire even 200 yards of total offense as it struggled in every aspect.

The Texas defense continued to stand strong and prove it’s one of the best in the country, while the offense continued to prove that it may be one of the worst. The one touchdown it scored only came after a punt return put the offense on the 5-yard line.

Although the Longhorns struggled to earn their 16-13 win in Lexington, they stayed at No. 7 in ESPN’s Football Power Index.

The FPI is trending for Texas to finish with about an 8-4 record, which is possible, but it’s looking like it’ll be an uphill climb. Furthermore, the analytics only give the Longhorns a 5.5% chance to win out, which feels accurate, if not a bit of a reach.

Texas doesn’t even have a 100% chance to win out, according to ESPN’s analytics, although it is close at 99.8%. However, that makes Texas one of two teams in the top 15 of the FPI that don’t have a 100% chance, and it’s the lowest of the two.

Somehow, Texas has a higher chance of winning the SEC than it does of winning out, though, as it has a 5.9% chance. In order for the Longhorns to have a chance at making the SEC championship, they will likely have to win out.

Surprisingly, ESPN’s analytics give the Longhorns a 38.9% chance of making the playoffs, which again is possible, but for that to happen, Texas will likely have to win out or only lose one more game at most.

The odds get scarcer from there, though, as the FPI gives Texas a 6.2% chance of making the national championship game if it were to make the playoffs. If Texas were to beat the odds and make the title game, it would have just a 2.9% chance of winning it.

Some will agree with the analytics, while others will disagree, but no matter what, these are just analytical predictions. Texas controls its destiny, and in the world of college football, it’s hard to accurately predict what’s going to happen.

From here on out, Texas will have hit the road two more times and face three top 10 teams in total. But next up for Texas is Mississippi State. The game will kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT on Saturday from Starkville.