During his wrap-up press conference at the SEC’s Spring Meetings in Destin, Fla., this past May, Commissioner Greg Sankey had his communications people hand out a six-page report to the media.

The data in the report argued the SEC’s regular season deserves more consideration from the College Football Playoff Committee. The six-page packet touted the SEC as having the hardest schedule every year from 2015 to 2024, according to five computer formulas.

What five computers showed this data? And how many were from ESPN?

I ask this because ESPN is the biggest SEC propaganda machine in collegiate athletics. Obviously, this is not new. We have all known this for years.

However, did you see ESPN’s new Football Power Index that was released late last week. This is the four-letter network’s second FPI ranking. The first was released in June.

ESPN’s FPI is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is.

In ESPN’s initial FPI ranking, Clemson was ranked No. 11. In its new FPI ranking, the Tigers are ranked No. 16.

Yes, the same Clemson team that is ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press’ preseason poll and No. 6 in the Coaches Preseason Poll.

What changed on Clemson’s roster that caused the Tigers to fall five spots in the FPI?

 Absolutely nothing.

Nothing has changed whatsoever.

However, Tennessee moved up two spots in the latest FPI, while Ole Miss jumped up three spots and South Carolina four spots. Florida also moved up five sports and jumped Clemson.

What changed about those teams?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The Tigers are the highest rated ACC team in ESPN’s FPI. Miami checks in at No. 17. By the way, the Hurricanes fell eight spots from No. 9 to No. 17, the biggest drop of any team in the ranking.

But why?

Why did Clemson and Miami drop so hard in a ranking when not a single thing changed about their rosters and neither has played a game?

It makes no sense.

The only thing I can jump to conclusion about is Sankey’s six-page packet. Maybe, just maybe, Sankey is already trying to set up a narrative about how hard things are for SEC schools compared to other schools.

But how do we really know that when no one has played a single game.

Does anyone really know on Aug. 17, 2025, that Alabama, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Florida are better than Clemson and Miami?

And if you say you do, you are lying to yourself. Those six SEC schools have way more question marks and depth concerns than the Tigers or the Hurricanes.

There is no reason for Clemson and Miami not to at least be in the top 10. Having them ranked No. 16 and No. 17 is a travesty.

Again, it’s the SEC using ESPN to start creating its narrative about the strength of the SEC before the first game has even kicked off.

It’s a joke and it needs to be called out. I am doing my part.