ESPN’s FPI Projects Five Wins By Utah State Football In 2020
Apr 15, 2020, 1:31 PM | Updated: 1:36 pm
Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium, home of the Utah State Aggies football team, is pictured in Logan on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
LOGAN, Utah – ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects five wins by the Utah State Aggies in the upcoming 2020 college football season.
The Aggies have a projected record of 4.5 wins and 7.5 losses next season according to FPI.
The Aggies’ strength of schedule is No. 79 in the nation and they are only favored in three games according to the Index. Those games are against Southern Utah, New Mexico, and Fresno State. All three games are at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah.
The 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ Football Schedule is HERE!
The Greatest S̶n̶o̶w̶ SHOW On Earth.
➡️ https://t.co/ET3lPR1agJ#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/4UCRsZGev5
— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 27, 2020
Utah State owns a -7.8 FPI rating which ranked No. 105 in the country. The Aggies have a 0.3 percent chance to win the Mountain West Conference in 2020 according to FPI.
What is FPI?
FPI stands for ESPN’s College Football Power Index. It was created in 2013 “as a way to measure team strength and predict game and season outcomes.”
According to ESPN, “Each team’s FPI rating is composed of a predicted offensive, defensive and special teams component. These ratings represent the number of points each unit is expected to contribute to the team’s net scoring margin on a neutral field against an average FBS opponent.”
“Each team’s FPI rating is composed of a predicted offensive, defensive and special teams component. These ratings represent the number of points each unit is expected to contribute to the team’s net scoring margin on a neutral field against an average FBS opponent.” – ESPN
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Here is the 2020 football schedule for the Aggies along with their projected win percentage per game according to FPI:
Utah State’s 2020 Football Schedule
vs. Washington State Cougars – 30.5 Percent
ESPN gives Washington State a sizeable edge over the Aggies in the season opener on Thursday, September 3 at Maverik Stadium. The Cougars have an FPI of 1.8 which ranks No. 58 in the country.
Thursday Night Football in The Mav to start the season!
➡️ vs. Washington State#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/00fNF4It8j
— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 27, 2020
vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds – 94.5 Percent
In its second game of the season, FPI gives USU a big advantage against in-state FCS Southern Utah on Saturday, September 12.
@ Washington Huskies – 7.4 Percent
On Saturday, September 19, the Aggies travel to Seattle to play against the Washington Huskies. FPI doesn’t give Utah State much a chance on the road against UW. The Huskies have an FPI of 9.8 which is No. 28 in the nation.
@ BYU Cougars – 27.0 Percent
Utah State looks to exact revenge from a 2019 loss against in-state rival BYU when the Aggies travel to Provo on Friday, October 2. BYU is favored to win for the second straight season. The Cougars own an FPI of -1.0 which is No. 74 in the country.
vs. San Diego State Aztecs – 37.2 Percent
The Aggies open Mountain West Conference play against San Diego State on Saturday, October 10. The Aztecs are favored to beat Utah State in Logan. SDSU has an FPI of -0.2 which ranks No. 68 in the nation.
Coming off a BYE, we head south to Provo, then we are back HOME!
➡️ at BYU
➡️ vs. San Diego State#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/WJvieC6a9o— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 27, 2020
@ Boise State Broncos – 9.1 Percent
Utah State travels to play MWC rival Boise State on Saturday, October 17. FPI projects a win by the Broncos. BSU owns an FPI of 7.1 which is No. 35 in the nation.
vs. New Mexico Lobos – 69.5 Percent
The Aggies welcome the New Mexico Lobos to Logan on Saturday, October 24. FPI gives Utah State nearly a 70 percent advantage in the late October game. The Lobos enter the season with an FPI of 11.6 which ranks No. 116 in the country.
@ Nevada Wolf Pack – 36.0 Percent
Utah State travels to Reno, Nevada to play the Wolf Pack on Saturday, October 31. FPI projects a Halloween victory for Nevada. The Wolf Pack owns an FPI of -6.0 which in No. 96 in the country.
Heading towards the back end of the schedule we take the show on the road for 2️⃣, then head back home.
➡️ at Nevada
➡️ at Wyoming
➡️ vs. Fresno State#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/8ext9rd2Lq— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 27, 2020
@ Wyoming Cowboys – 19.5 Percent
In their first November game of the season, the Aggies play the Wyoming Cowboys. FPI gives Wyoming over an 80 percent edge on Saturday, November 7. The Cowboys have an FPI of 1.0 which is No. 61 in the nation.
vs. Fresno State Bulldogs – 56.4 Percent
On Saturday, November 14, the Aggies host the Fresno State Bulldogs. Utah State is projected to pick up the win according to FPI. The Bulldogs own an FPI of -6.9 which ranks No. 101 in the nation.
@ Colorado State Rams – 31.7 Percent
Utah State travels to play Colorado State on Saturday, November 21. The Aggies are projected to fall to the Rams according to FPI. Colorado State owns an FPI of -4.4 which is No. 91 in the country.
The final 2️⃣ runs of the season!
➡️ at Colorado State
➡️ vs. Air Force#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/xrR9VgT5hf— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 27, 2020
vs. Air Force Falcons – 33.0 Percent
In the regular-season finale, the Aggies host the Air Force Falcons on Saturday, November 28. FPI projects a win by the Air Force Academy. The Falcons have an FPI of 0.9 which ranks No. 62 in the country.
FPI projected six wins by the Aggies in 2019. Utah State finished the regular season as a bowl-eligible team and ended the year with a 7-6 record.
