ESPN’s Football Power Index disrespects Arkansas

At SEC Media Days in July, the league’s assemble media voted Arkansas to finish third in the SEC West. It was the highest the Hogs had been tabbed in the division in about a decade.

But the differences between the eyeball-test and data in this day and age of sports has never been farther apart.

ESPN’s Football Power Index does not think as highly of the Razorbacks, with Arkansas checking in as the No. 10 team in the 14-team conference. 

The SEC has been college football’s premier conference for more than 15 years and that’s reflected somewhat as Arkansas, despite being 10th-ranked, is No. 26 overall.

But teams like Auburn and Mississippi State, which were both picked well below the Razorbacks as the seventh-place and sixth-place projected finishers are much higher.

It’s impossible to say what gives, considering ESPN’s proprietary algorithms spit out the data, but it shows that somewhere, Arkansas’ underlying numbers simply aren’t up to snuff. For whatever reason.

He’s a complete look at the SEC on August 1.

1. Alabama (No. 1 overall)

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass in the second half the NCAA Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6.
Cotton Bowl Cincinnati Bearcats Alabama Crimson Tide

Last year: 13-2, 7-1 in SEC

Projected this year: 11.4-1.5

2. Georgia (No. 3 overall)

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) scrambles with the ball as Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) gives chase Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Last year: 14-1, 8-0

Projected this year: 11.6-1.3

3. LSU (10th overall)

LSU defensive back Eli Ricks (1) runs with the ball after making an interception against Florida during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Last year: 6-7, 3-5

Projected this year: 7.7-4.3

4. Auburn

Auburn Tigers quarterback Zach Calzada (10) during the A-Day spring practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Last year: 6-7, 3-5

Projected this year: 7.4-4.7

5. Texas A&M (12th overall)

Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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