Updated SP+ rankings system has 6 B1G teams in top 25

A dramatic and action-packed Week 2 is in the books with most ranking systems releasing updated lists Sunday.

One particularly interesting system is the SP+ rankings formulated by Bill Connelly. Now working with ESPN, the system utilized by Connelly is definitely an intriguing one.

When looking at the top four teams, there are not many surprises. The SP+ has Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia as the top three teams in the country. LSU at No. 4 is different than most lists, but it is not much of a reach after Week 2.

Ohio State is the first B1G team at No. 5, but Wisconsin is a surprise right behind the Buckeyes at No. 6. Unfortunately, the system is not high on Michigan with the Wolverines outside the top 10.

Here is a brief rationale of the system from ESPN:

SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing. That is important to remember. It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is. It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football.

Here are the six B1G teams in the top 25:

• No. 5 – Ohio State
• No. 6 – Wisconsin
• No. 10 – Penn State
• No. 15 – Michigan
• No. 18 – Michigan State
• No. 20 – Iowa

Another interesting note is that Maryland’s hot start has not swayed the SP+ system much. According to Connelly, the Terrapins have jumped from No. 68 to No. 38, but it looks like it will take much more to break into the top 25.

You can see the entire rankings here.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.