After a win over Oklahoma State on Oct. 5, West Virginia’s Football Power Index (FPI) ranking significantly jumped from No. 51 to No. 33.
However, following a 28-16 loss to 6-0 and No. 9 ranked Iowa State (in the AP Poll), their ranking fell five places to No. 38. Their FPI is now 6.7, compared to 7.9 before the Iowa State game.
The FPI, developed by ESPN, measures a team’s ‘strength’ and predicts their performance in future games. WVU is just two spots behind Pittsburgh, who beat the Mountaineers and are 6-0, but is ahead of Big 12 opponents Arizona State and Texas Tech who are both 5-1.
West Virginia’s projections have also slightly changed. Their projected win-loss now sits at 6.2-5.9, compared to 6.9-5.4.
The FPI gives them a 68.2% chance of reaching six wins, a 3.8% chance of winning the Big 12, a 1.3% chance of making the playoffs, a 1.1% chance of winning out, and 0.1% of making the national championship, but a 0% of winning it.
In another night game, West Virginia will host Kansas State, who is ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the FPI. Saturday’s matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST and be televised on FOX.
