ESPN’s first College Football Power Index for the 2025 season is high on the Texas Longhorns.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Neil Paine released the FPI ratings and projections for the 2025 season. It ranks the Longhorns as the No. 1 team in the country and gives them the best chance to win the national championship (22.2%).
FPI uses multiple statistics to predict outcomes, which is one reason it may favor the Longhorns. Last season, Texas finished third in the FBS in points allowed (15.3) and ranked 22nd in points scored (34.5).
This offseason, they lost multiple starters to the NFL, including defensive back Jahdae Barron, wide receiver Matthew Golden, quarterback Quinn Ewers and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Longhorns, however, already have potential replacements on their roster, including QB Arch Manning.
Manning — the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, via 247Sports — replaced Ewers after he suffered an oblique injury against UTSA last season. In the 56-7 victory, he rushed for a 67-yard touchdown.