The last release of the ESPN SP+ Rankings just dropped and there’s a bit of a surprise when it comes to where Ohio State lands. Routinely sitting at No. 2, just behind Alabama all throughout the preseason, ESPN resident analytics expert Bill Connelly reportedly tweaked his formula a bit and the Buckeyes have now fallen.
Understandably so, there is some secrecy surrounding the special sauce that goes into these rankings since it is a proprietary thing developed and managed by Connelly, but we’ll never know why OSU dropped.
However, according to ESPN’s website, “the SP+ Rankings are based on three primary factors: returning production (final rankings for which you can find at the bottom of this piece), recent recruiting and recent history.”
The rest of the rankings have some modest changes from the last one we saw as well, but in totality, things look right about what you’d expect with a few surprises. Alabama remains No. 1, but there’s now a new No. 2 with Ohio State slipping.
Here is the latest top 25 of the ESPN SP+ Rankings (subscription required) and where the Buckeyes now land as we get ready to ramp things up for the 2022 season.
BYU Cougars (Independent)
Oct 1, 2021; Logan, Utah, USA; A general view of a helmet worn by Brigham Young Cougars during a game against the Utah State Aggies at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Score
13.9
Oregon Ducks (Pac-12)
An “End racism” sticker joins the American Flag on the helmets of Oregon players Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
SP+ Score
14.3
Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC)
Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet sits on the sidelines against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Score
14.4
Texas Longhorns (Big 12)
Nov 10, 2018; Lubbock, TX, USA; A Texas Longhorns helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
SP+ Score
14.4
Auburn Tigers (SEC)
Auburn Tigers helmet on the sideline during the A-Day spring practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
SP+ Score
14.4
Mississippi State Bulldogs (SEC)
Dec. 26, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A Mississippi State Bulldogs helmet on the field prior to the game between the Miami Redhawks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tropicana Field. Jasen…