ESPN’s FPI kind to Razorbacks for once

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Hold up! You did just read that Arkansas was given props by public enemy no. 1 ESPN. For years, the Razorbacks have been given no respect, especially since that one April Fool’s Day 11 years ago.

FPI or Football Power Index is the analytics system that ESPN uses to forecast preseason records and week-by-week games during the season, too.

Unlike the unfavorable prediction by Stewart Mandel of The Athletic yesterday, the FPI projects Arkansas to reach bowl eligibility in 2023. This would be the fourth consecutive season the Razorbacks would be invited to a bowl game since Sam Pittman became head coach.

The FPI likes Arkansas to start out the season 3-0 with easy out of conference victories. However, they will not be favored in a single contest over the next four games that are all played away from Razorback Stadium.

Arkansas is favored in four of their final five games. The only projected loss in the final stretch is a road matchup with Florida the first weekend of November. With three games hovering around 32-39% the Razorbacks do have a fighting chance to exceed the 2021 win total.

ESPN FPI Projections

Sept. 2 vs. Western Carolina – 99%

Sept. 9 vs. Kent State – 93.2%

Sept. 16 vs. BYU – 76.6%

Sept. 23 at LSU – 16.3%

Sept. 30 vs. Texas A&M – 39.9% (Arlington)

Oct. 7 at Ole Miss – 32.5%

Oct. 14 at Alabama – 8.3%

Oct. 21 vs. Mississippi State – 58.7%

Nov. 4 at Florida – 36.3%

Nov. 11 vs. Auburn – 64.5%

Nov. 18 vs. FIU – 95.9%
Nov. 24 vs. Missouri – 63.5%

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