Alabama Gets Unwelcome Surprise in ESPN FPI Rankings After Bye Week

Alabama didn’t take the field on Saturday, but that didn’t stop the Crimson Tide from taking a step backward in ESPN’s latest Football Power Index (FPI) rankings. Following a much-needed bye week, Kalen DeBoer’s squad dropped one spot from No. 5 to No. 6 nationally in ESPN’s updated rankings released after Saturday’s Week 9 action. Perhaps the biggest surprise? LSU jumped two spots to No. 5, moving ahead of Alabama just one week before the two SEC rivals square off in Baton Rouge.