SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee caused a huge uproar when he claimed that ESPN manipulated its ranking system. His statement has received a lot of backing from college football supporters who think the media is biased towards specific conferences, especially the SEC.
ESPN’s Suspicious FPI Update Raises Questions
This week, ESPN made a puzzling decision by dramatically updating its Football Power Index rankings just before the season began. The network dropped Miami from No. 9 to No. 17 and Clemson from No. 11 to No. 16, despite both teams having virtually no roster changes over the summer months.
The timing is quite questionable. Miami’s College Football Playoff odds have fallen from 46.3% to 35.9%, whereas those of Clemson have lowered from 47.3% to 38.2%. Both conference programs are now behind several SEC teams, such as Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU, and Florida, in the rankings.
ESPN released their initial FPI rankings back in June, but updated it today 👀
With the update, Miami dropped from #9 to #17 and Clemson dropped from #11 to #16.
With little to no change for either team over the last two months, ESPN’s system slashed the metrics of the ACC’s… pic.twitter.com/VCVuknYum1
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) August 16, 2025
What makes this update particularly suspicious is the lack of any on-field justification. Neither Miami nor Clemson suffered significant losses that would warrant such dramatic drops. The algorithm seemed to favor SEC and Big Ten programs mysteriously over ACC competitors without clear reasoning.
SMU Coach Rhett Lashlee Leads Fan Revolt Against What Many See As Biased ESPN Rankings
Lashlee commented, “Because the whole thing is rigged.” His straight-to-the-point blame has struck a chord with numerous fans that are equally suspicious of ESPN’s intentions.
Because the whole thing is rigged
— Rhett Lashlee (@rhettlashlee) August 16, 2025
The college football community quickly rallied behind the SMU coach on social media.
“Sankey called a code red,” one user noted, referencing SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and suggesting coordinated efforts to boost conference teams in the rankings.
Fans questioned the system’s validity.
“How the heck is there an FPI preseason? It’s completely meaningless,” wrote one user.
Others pointed to ESPN’s financial conflicts of interest.
“ESPN brazenly promoting the SEC at all costs. It’s simple, they’re in bed with them financially. Their business success is completely tethered,” another user wrote.
ESPN brazenly promoting the SEC at all costs. It’s simple, they’re in bed with them financially. Their business success is completely tethered.
— Calvin Walsh 🌵 (@brandon_el65387) August 16, 2025
The criticism grew harsher as fans targeted specific ESPN personalities.
“Because the SEC ball garglers at ESPN, talking to you @finebaum et al, gotta keep the money train flowing,” wrote another user, directly calling out Paul Finebaum.
Because the SEC ball garglers at ESPN, talking to you @finebaum et al, gotta keep the money train flowing.
— Jim Burns (@JimBurns525) August 16, 2025
Some fans dismissed the FPI entirely.
“It’s a good thing the ESPN rankings mean nothing lol. Season hasn’t even started,” commented one user.
Another concluded, “The FPI is laughable every year. Nothing new. ESPN is doing a great job of making themselves irrelevant.”
The FPI is laughable every year. Nothing new. ESPN is doing a great job of making themselves irrelevant.
— Mike Barnhouse (@Bestbossever9) August 16, 2025
Lashlee’s allegations have had an impact on the fan base, as supporters believe them to be the key factor showing clear discrimination in the college football ranking system.
