Keep in mind this is a computer metric, but this is based on the biggest jumps or "plummets" between the 2023 final rankings and the preseason 2024 FPI Rankings. Btw, I'm only including Power 4 schools on this list. Nobody cares if Troy got worse or Toledo improved:
"Most Improved"
1. Colorado
2. Baylor
3. Boston College
4. Arizona State
5. Florida
6. Nebraska
7. Auburn
8. Texas Tech
9. Oklahoma State
10. Pitt
"Biggest Drop off"
1. Duke
2. Washington
3. Maryland
4. Oregon State
5. Iowa State
6. Washington State
7. Michigan
8. North Carolina
9. Kansas State
10. Syracuse
A few weird things about this preseason FPI metric:
1. Virginia Tech dropped 7 spots despite bringing back 19 starters from a 7-6 team under Coach Brent Pry, who's going into his 3rd season. I think the poll is grossly underselling this team.
2. UCLA loses 18 starters, has no viable quarterback, and a first time head coach, but they only fell 5 spots in the rankings? Not buying that one.
3. Colorado is ranked 68th in the most recent ESPN SP+ poll which was released 5 days before ESPN FPI. This is interesting because that poll actually looks at production and accounts for transfer production more than FPI. Really odd discrepancy between the rankings. There is no bigger discrepancy between the two polls. In fact, the average range between the two polls is roughly 5.6 spots. But the FPI has gone whacko for CU.
"Most Improved"
1. Colorado
2. Baylor
3. Boston College
4. Arizona State
5. Florida
6. Nebraska
7. Auburn
8. Texas Tech
9. Oklahoma State
10. Pitt
"Biggest Drop off"
1. Duke
2. Washington
3. Maryland
4. Oregon State
5. Iowa State
6. Washington State
7. Michigan
8. North Carolina
9. Kansas State
10. Syracuse
A few weird things about this preseason FPI metric:
1. Virginia Tech dropped 7 spots despite bringing back 19 starters from a 7-6 team under Coach Brent Pry, who's going into his 3rd season. I think the poll is grossly underselling this team.
2. UCLA loses 18 starters, has no viable quarterback, and a first time head coach, but they only fell 5 spots in the rankings? Not buying that one.
3. Colorado is ranked 68th in the most recent ESPN SP+ poll which was released 5 days before ESPN FPI. This is interesting because that poll actually looks at production and accounts for transfer production more than FPI. Really odd discrepancy between the rankings. There is no bigger discrepancy between the two polls. In fact, the average range between the two polls is roughly 5.6 spots. But the FPI has gone whacko for CU.
