ESPN FPI: Teams with the best chance to make College Football Playoff

With Media Days wrapping up, the official kickoff to college football season inches closer, renewing the annual debate over who's in and who's out. The FPI, a major predictive metric, threw out its early picks for the expanded 12-team playoff, listing top programs like Ohio State with a 76% chance. This national outlook, frankly, often overlooks what's brewing here on the South Plains.

Texas Tech fans, after a strong finish last season and significant buzz around Joey McGuire's program, had plenty of reason for optimism. Many here on University Avenue or heading to Jones AT&T Stadium truly felt this was the year to finally break into that national conversation.

For regular people in Lubbock, this isn't just about a number; it feels like a familiar snub. It ignites that deep-seated, "nobody believes in us" mentality that's as common as a dust storm rolling in from the west. Local businesses from the Depot District to Buddy Holly Hall thrive on game day excitement, and while this projection won't kill the vibe, it definitely adds a chip to the entire Red Raider fan base's shoulder.

Will the Red Raiders use this oversight as fuel to prove ESPN's algorithm wrong when the real games begin?