At the end of spring practice, Indiana is rated No. 25 in ESPN’s Football Power Index rankings, which are based on a metric that “measures a team’s true strength on a net points scale; expected point margin vs. an average opponent on a neutral field.”
Based on ESPN’s metrics, the Hoosiers would beat an average opponent by 11.0 points on a neutral field. For perspective, the No. 1 team in preseason FPI, Alabama, has an FPI of 28.0.
Indiana is ranked fifth among Big Ten teams in FPI behind Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa. Ohio State is fifth (20.5), Penn State is 10th (14.9), Wisconsin is 15th (13.3) and Iowa is 23rd (11.2).
Based on that rating, ESPN’s metrics give Indiana a 92.2 percent chance of reaching the six wins necessary for bowl eligibility, a 7.5 percent chance of winning the Big Ten East, a 3.8 percent chance of winning the Big Ten, a 0.3 chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, a 0.1 percent chance of reaching the national championship game and a 0.0 percent chance of winning the national title. It gives Ohio State a 71.3 percent chance of winning the Big Ten East, a 53.7 percent chance of winning the Big Ten and a 45.0 percent chance of reaching the playoff. Penn State is given a 17.2 percent chance to win the East and a 10.5 percent chance to win the Big Ten.
Alabama is No. 1 overall in the ratings followed by Oklahoma, Clemson and Iowa State. They have FPI ratings of 28.0, 26.6, 23.5 and 22.8.
