Ben Kenney
June 17, 2024 7:00 am CT
Phil Steele recently released his annual College Football Preview magazine. The cover-to-cover preview of the upcoming season marks an important milestone as we approach kickoff of Week 0 and Week 1 games.
The magazine follows every other outlet in ranking teams entering the season. Steele does the classic top 25 projection, which predicts where teams will finish, taking into account the schedules and conference landscapes. But he also unveils a Power Poll, a power rating that only focuses on each team’s quality.
Related: Where every Big Ten team ranks in ESPN’s 2024 College Football Power Index
Steele specifically writes that the Power Poll is his “computer’s top-134 and is based on the overall talent of each team.” It is similar to ESPN SP+, which also tries to separate a team’s season outlook and its pure talent level.
Wisconsin is an interesting case study for the difference between the two polls. The Badgers figure to be improved after a 7-6 2023 season, but also face one of college football’s toughest schedules. So they could easily be one of the nation’s top 20 teams, but may not have the record to show for it.
For reference, the Badgers land at No. 41 in Steele’s preseason projection ranking — the ranking that again takes into account each team’s schedule, opponents’ schedules, etc. It is a lukewarm projection for where the Badgers will finish the 2024 season.
But his Power Poll — based only on the quality of each team — has the Badgers in the nation’s top 25 entering the season. Here is that top 25, with a comparison to each team’s ESPN FPI and SP+ ratings, plus Steele’s preseason projection:
Badgers fans may also be interested in Steele’s Big Ten power rankings and Wisconsin’s place in his Big Ten position group rankings)
1
Georgia Bulldogs
April 13, 2024; Athens, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the field during the G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 1
FPI Rating: 26.8 (No. 1)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.3-2.1
ESPN SP+ Rating: 34.5 (No. 1)
Get more (Georgia) news, analysis and opinions onUGA Wire
2
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oct. 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Tony Alford, head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye signal from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 2
FPI Rating: 22.2 (No. 4)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.2-2.2
ESPN SP+ Rating: 30.1 (No. 2)
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
3
Oregon Ducks
Nov. 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field for the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 3
FPI Rating: 24.5 (No. 2)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.8-1.8
ESPN SP+ Rating: 29.3 (No. 3)
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire
4
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian greets wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) while warming up for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoffsemifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 4
FPI Rating: 22.9 (No. 3)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.0-2.4
ESPN SP+ Rating: 28.7 (No. 4)
Get more (Texas) news, analysis and opinions onLonghorns Wire
5
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dec. 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 5
FPI Rating: 19.8 (No. 6)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.1-2.3
ESPN SP+ Rating: 25.6 (No. 7)
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions onNittany Lions Wire
6
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan. 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer speaks during the press conference. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 7
FPI Rating: 21.9 (No. 5)
- FPI Projected Record: 9.3-3.0
ESPN SP+ Rating: 26.6 (No. 6)
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis and opinions on Roll Tide Wire
7
Oklahoma Sooners
Dec. 28, 2023; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 20
FPI Rating: 17.2 (No. 8)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.2-3.9
ESPN SP+ Rating: 18.9 (No. 14)
Get more (Oklahoma) news, analysis and opinions onSooners Wire
8
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman celebrates at the 90th annual Sun Bowl game against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at El Paso, Texas. GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES-USA TODAY NETWORK
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 6
FPI Rating: 19.0 (No. 7)
- FPI Projected Record: 10.1-1.9
ESPN SP+ Rating: 24.1 (No. 9)
Get more (Notre Dame) news, analysis and opinions onFighting Irish Wire
9
Ole Miss Rebels
Nov. 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks with a referee after a call during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 14
FPI Rating: 12.0 (No. 16)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.9-4.2
ESPN SP+ Rating: 25.2 (No. 8)
10
Miami Hurricanes
Nov. 26, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jake Garcia (13) scrambles with the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 10
FPI Rating: 9.6 (No. 23)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.2-4.0
ESPN SP+ Rating: 12.3 (No. 21)
11
Utah Utes
April 23, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half of the Utah Spring Football Game at Rice–Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 8
FPI Rating: 7.5 (No. 27)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.8-4.4
ESPN SP+ Rating: 16.4 (No. 17)
12
Michigan Wolverines
Jan. 1, 2024; Pasadena, California; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 9
FPI Rating: 14.9 (No. 12)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.3-3.9
ESPN SP+ Rating: 27.0 (No. 5)
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions onWolverines Wire
13
Clemson Tigers
Sept. 30, 2023; Syracuse, New York; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the fourth quarter against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome. Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 12
FPI Rating: 12.2 (No. 15)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.5-3.8
ESPN SP+ Rating: 18.0 (No. 16)
Get more (Clemson) news, analysis and opinions onClemson Wire
14
Florida State Seminoles
Sept. 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell on the sideline in the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 13
FPI Rating: 15.1 (No. 11)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.8-3.6
ESPN SP+ Rating: 20.0 (No. 12)
Get more (Florida State) news, analysis and opinions onFSU Wire
15
Texas A&M Aggies
July 21, 2022; Charlotte, NC; Duke head coach Mike Elko talks to the media during the second day of ACC Media Days at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 28
FPI Rating: 13.6 (No. 14)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.6-4.5
ESPN SP+ Rating: 19.0 (No. 13)
Get more (Texas A&M) news, analysis and opinions onAggies Wire
16
Virginia Tech Hokies
Dec. 27, 2023; Annapolis, Maryland; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry walks onto the field during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 17
FPI Rating: 3.0 (No. 50)
- FPI Projected Record: 6.6-5.5
ESPN SP+ Rating: 8.9 (No. 30)
17
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Sept. 16, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy takes the field before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 15
FPI Rating: 7.6 (No. 26)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.6-4.6
ESPN SP+ Rating: 13.1 (No. 20)
18
Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 11
FPI Rating: 5.6 (No. 37)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.0-5.0
ESPN SP+ Rating: 10.9 (No. 26)
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions onHawkeyes Wire
19
Florida Gators
Oct. 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gameco*cks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 48
FPI Rating: 10.1 (No. 20)
- FPI Projected Record: 5.9-6.1
ESPN SP+ Rating: 8.6 (No. 33)
Get more (Florida) news, analysis and opinions on Gators Wire
20
LSU Tigers
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talk on the podium after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 19
FPI Rating: 14.6 (No. 13)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.9-4.2
ESPN SP+ Rating: 23.5 (No. 10)
Get more (LSU) news, analysis and opinions onLSU Wire
21
SMU Mustangs
Oct. 20, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball against the Temple Owls during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 22
FPI Rating: 9.0 (No. 25)
- FPI Projected Record: 8.3-3.9
ESPN SP+ Rating: 9.9 (No. 27)
22
Missouri Tigers
Nov. 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 48-14. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 18
FPI Rating: 15.4 (No. 10)
- FPI Projected Record: 9.0-3.2
ESPN SP+ Rating: 21.8 (No. 11)
23
Louisville Cardinals
Dec. 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm during warm ups against the Florida State Seminoles at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 32
FPI Rating: 10.0 (No. 21)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.9-4.3
ESPN SP+ Rating: 11.4 (No. 24)
24
USC Trojans
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) talks with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first half of the game against No. 6 Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Abigail Dollins-USA TODAY NETWORK
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 25
FPI Rating: 11.1 (No. 18)
- FPI Projected Record: 7.1-5.1
ESPN SP+ Rating: 23.5 (No. 10)
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire
25
Wisconsin Badgers
Oct. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads the football team onto the field for warmups prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Steele Preseason Projection: No. 41
FPI Rating: 5.0 (No. 39)
- FPI Projected Record: 5.8-6.2
ESPN SP+ Rating: 11.0 (No. 25)
26
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