1-136 College Football 2025 Preseason Rankings

Where does defending champion Ohio State slot? Is Notre Dame still a title contender? Is there a Group of Five Cinderalla?

It’s July, which means we have college football next month.

Yet another wild offseason in the transfer portal has passed, and we now have a better sense of what programs across the country will look like ahead of the 2025 season.

Let’s take a look at how all 136 teams (yes, a few more programs moved up to FBS) stack up as we creep closer and closer to a fresh season of ball.

1. Penn State: A lot has been said about James Franklin’s record in big games. But the Nittany Lions should be Ohio State’s toughest test in the Big Ten this fall. QB Drew Allar and RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will return, and PSU will actually have receiver help in transfers Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) to offset the loss of star TE Tyler Warren (PSU receivers didn’t have a single reception in its loss to Notre Dame the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl). Edge rusher Abdul Carter is gone, but senior Dani Dennis-Sutton is ready for a big year. And the Nittany Lions poached new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Columbus.

2. Clemson: The defending ACC champions could be set up for a deeper run in the College Football Playoff behind the arm of QB Cade Klubnik, who accounted for 43 total touchdowns last year and will be throwing to a deep wide receiver corps led by Antonio Williams. The backfield may have to take a committee approach, though, unless there is a breakout among converted wideout Adam Randall and freshmen David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson. Defensively, new coordinator Tom Allen has some work to do with a run defense that ranked next-to-last in the ACC in 2024. But there is national buzz again surrounding the Tigers.

3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes lost both of their coordinators, and there are several important holes to fill, so the defending national champions have some issues to address. But QB Julian Sayin has a chance to be a star—if he can hold off Lincoln Kienholz—and star receiver Jeremiah Smith is back along with stud safety Caleb Downs. But the defense will need to be rebuilt. The home opener against Texas could be a game of the year candidate.

4. Texas: Arch Manning is now in full control of the offense, but finding a new starting offensive line is the top priority. Expectations will be sky high for Manning, who has limited SEC game experience. And a lot of veteran leadership is gone from a program that made back-to-back CFP semifinal appearances. But this is a super talented roster curated through strong recruiting classes and help in the transfer portal.

5. Georgia: The Bulldogs have a new starting QB in Gunner Stockton, and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) and Zachariah Branch (USC) have arrived to help at the receiver position. The defense, as is usually the case, will have to reload after losing so much to the NFL. But Elo Modozie (Army) was a shrewd pickup, and the cupboard is never bare in Athens.

6. Notre Dame: Marcus Freeman is very comfortable in South Bend coming off a national championship game appearance. Redshirt freshman QB CJ Carr is set to replace Riley Leonard and will have the luxury of a backfield featuring Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. New coordinator Chris Ash has to retool the defense, though. But the schedule is doable: road games against Miami (FL) and Arkansas, but Texas A&M, Boise State and USC have to come to ND.

7. LSU: This is a big year for Brian Kelly. Garrett Nussmeier is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he’ll have Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barrion Brown (Kentucky) at wide receiver. It will be a new-look offensive line, however. Defensively, pass rusher Patrick Payton (Florida State) was brought in, among others.

8. Oregon: Dan Lanning and the defending Big Ten champions are turning the offense over to UCLA transfer Dante Moore, and the offense added RB Makhi Hughes (Tulane). The defense added Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) into the secondary and Bear Alexander (USC) to the line. This will be a new-look Ducks team that will have to replace 17 starters combined on offense and defense. Ten players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, breaking a program record set last season. Can coordinator Tosh Lupoi fix the run defense?

9. Alabama: There is already pressure on second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer—that’s just life in Tuscaloosa when the program is coming off a 4-loss campaign. Ty Simpson is expected to take over under center, and he’ll be surrounded by plenty of skill-position players led by explosive wideout Ryan Williams. Defensively, there is a lot of returning experience and depth. But can DeBoer bring back the ‘Bama aura?

10. Miami (FL): The health of Georgia transfer QB Carson Beck will be the central concern, but assuming he gets to 100 percent he will operate behind a strong line with a bevy of RBs. New coordinator Corey Hetherman will have a retooled secondary, but who will step up across a young line?

11. Arizona State: The Sun Devils won a Big 12 championship in their first season in the league, underscoring a phenomenal coaching job by Kenny Dillingham. There is no doubt the team will miss Cam Skattebo; a platoon situation in the backfield is likely. But 10 starters return to a defense that was No. 3 in the league in scoring D (22.6 points). An improved pass defense will be key.

12. Illinois: Can the Fighting Illini be this year’s Indiana? It’s quite possible, as Bret Bielema’s squad returns 18 starters from a 10-win team. The Illini do need to find playmakers at receiver, and the defensive line lost production and leadership. But QB Luke Altmyer is back to lead the offense behind an experienced line, and the back seven will be very stout. It’s a very intriguing B1G outfit with a manageable slate.

13. Kansas State: QB Avery Johnson has a chance to make a big leap in his second season as the starter, but he needs to be more consistent. Jayce Brown returns as one of the top receivers in the Big 12. Meanwhile, LB Austin Romaine and DB VJ Payne should pace a defense that will give conference foes fits.

14. BYU: Jake Retzlaff returns at QB and will direct an offense that should be one of the best in the Big 12. The defensive front will need to be re-tooled, though. The Cougars did address both lines in the transfer portal, but they will need to gel quickly. Meanwhile, they boast a very experienced secondary.

15. South Carolina: An argument can be made that the Gamecocks were one of the hottest teams in the country by the end of last season. A College Football Playoff run could be in the equation this fall. LaNorris Sellers should be one of the best QBs in the SEC and will lead a balanced offense. The key will be whether the defense, led by Dylan Stewart, can re-tool.

16. Florida: Because of their strong finish to the 2024 campaign, there are big expectations surrounding the Gators. Of course, everything starts with the health and continued development of QB DJ Lagway, who will get support from Jadan Baugh in the backfield. The defense really stepped up in the second half of last season. Navigating a tough schedule will be a chore once again.

17. Michigan: The Wolverines closed very strong last year with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, and they did it without much production from the QB position. Enter Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, who should provide an instant upgrade. Both lines should be strong, and many of the team’s best defenders are back. But replacing DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant will be a task. Head coach Sherrone Moore is slated to miss the games against Central Michigan and Nebraska due to self-imposed sanctions.

18. Tennessee: The Volunteers are turning to former Appalachian State and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar at QB after the loss of Nico Iamaleava due to an NIL dispute. He will have to hold off redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre, though. New playmakers need to emerge across the offense, but the defense should be stout.

19. Texas A&M: Marcel Reed has a chance to be much improved after another offseason of work, and the Aggies upgraded their receiver corps to complement what should be a lethal rushing attack. Who will step up in the defensive backfield and up front, though? Expect Mike Elko to be more hands on defensively after the Aggies wilted down the stretch last season.

20. Indiana: Curt Cignetti is coming off a dream first season in Bloomington. Fernando Mendoza has arrived from Cal to take over an offense that should once again be prolific. It will be difficult for IU to match last season’s historic success, but it does have a soft nonconference schedule.

21. SMU: The Mustangs put up another 11-3 campaign last year, this time in their first season in the ACC. They were unbeaten in conference play and snagged a CFP bid. QB Kevin Jennings is back, and UCLA tailback TJ Harden is in to replace Brashard Smith. Rhett Lashlee also made sure to use the portal for defensive pieces up front.

22. Louisville: Miller Moss steps in at QB as a USC transfer, and he’ll be protected by a strong line and surrounded by a lot of playmakers on what should be one of the top offenses in the ACC. The Cardinals may have to rely on the offense as the defense—outside of the linebacker group—has questions.

23. Auburn: This could be a breakthrough year for the Tigers in Hugh Freeze’s third season. The coaching staff worked the portal, improving overall depth, and more wins should come if they are better able to close games out. Oklahoma transfer QB Jackson Arnold will try to hold off Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels, and whoever ends up as the starter will have a lethal receiving corps. Turnover margin will tell the tale of this squad.

24. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers should take a step up the B1G ladder with QB Dylan Raiola having an offseason to work with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. New coordinator John Butler will have to rebuild the defense, although Matt Rhule and the staff were able to land some key pieces in the portal on that side of the ball.

25. Boise State: The Broncos will obviously miss Ashton Jeanty, but QB Maddux Madsen and a boatload of starters return. This is still the team to beat in the Mountain West, which will lose the Broncos to the Pac-12 after this season.

26. Ole Miss: Jaxson Dart is gone, so in steps Austin Simmons, who led a touchdown drive in the first quarter of the 28-10 upset win over Georgia last season. The entire offense—as well as the defense—is in rebuild mode (only four starters return), but it will help that the Rebels have eight home games.

27. Iowa State: Matt Campbell’s Cyclones set a school record for wins last year, going 4-1 in games decided by 3 points or less. QB Rocco Becht lost his top two receivers, but Chase Sowell has arrived from East Carolina. Can the run defense improve, though?

28. Missouri: The Tigers are dealing with the departures of QB Brady Cook and WR Luther Burden III, and the development of Penn State transfer Beau Pribula at QB is a central storyline. But the schedule isn’t brutal, so don’t bet against Eli Drinkwitz’s squad.

29. Utah: Never underestimate a Kyle Whittingham-coached outfit. The Utes will once again field one of the best defenses in the Big 12. League title contention will hinge on how far the offense can be taken with new coordinator Jason Beck and transfer QB Devon Dampier (New Mexico). Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,166 yards and 19 scores last season. He will operate behind a very strong offensive line.

30. Baylor: Things looked like they were unraveling for Dave Aranda in Waco before a complete turnaround. After a slow start, the Bears won six of their final seven games, and they have a lot of returning experience, including QB Sawyer Robertson and Josh Cameron—one of the best punt returners in the country. Robertson fit in very well in coordinator Jake Spavital’s offense, recording 32 total TDs and just eight turnovers.

31. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were a little inconsistent last fall, but they bring back a slew of defenders. That side of the ball needs to improve, but Joey McGuire definitely tried to address it in the portal. McGuire also made some staff changes, and QB Behren Morton should be healthy after offseason shoulder surgery.

32. Georgia Tech: Brent Key’s Yellow Jackets have won seven games in back-to-back seasons, and the offense returns several notables. QB Haynes King directed a unit that averaged 31.1 points per game last fall. New coordinator Blake Gideon has some work to do with the defense, though, at all three levels.

33. TCU: The Horned Frogs won six of their last seven games to close last season. Can QB Josh Hoover take the next step in his development? The defense could be even better under second-year DC Andy Avalos.

34. Oklahoma: Can Brent Venables get the Sooners back to their winning ways? John Mateer has arrived from Washington State to run the offense, which was a nice coup by this staff. He threw for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while rushing for 826 yards and 15 scores last season. But there are a lot of new faces on offense, including coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Meanwhile, Venables has taken over the defensive play-calling.

35. Iowa: Can the Hawkeyes be a little more diverse on offense with the addition of South Dakota State transfer QB Mark Gronowski? The two-time FCS national champion sports a 49-6 record as a starter. The defense lost some key pieces such as LBs Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson, but expect the unit to be steady.

36. Duke: Manny Diaz led the Blue Devils to nine wins in his debut campaign—one of the best coaching jobs in the country last season. The program added QB Darian Mensah from Tulane, which was one of the more underrated portal moves. And the defense should be sound once again.

37. Kansas: QB Jalon Daniels is back, as is the Jayhawks’ refurbished stadium. How will the offense look under new coordinator Jim Zebrowski? The receiving corps received help through the portal, as did a porous secondary.

38. Washington: In his first season facing a lot of roster turnover, Jedd Fisch managed to win six games. The coaching staff faced more turnover again this offseason, but QB Demond Williams looks like a future star, and RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston are also back. Fisch and Co. hit the portal to help the offensive line and defense as a whole.

39. Florida State: Last season was a disaster in Tallahassee. Mike Norvell’s squad went 2-10, so he shook up the coaching staff. Former Auburn and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is the new offensive coordinator, and a bevy of transfers could help the staff perform a quick turnaround this fall—especially if the run game behind what should be a much-improved offensive line is productive.

40. USC: After an 11-3 mark in his first season at ‘SC, Lincoln Riley is just 15-11 over the last two years. It’s hard to get a gauge on this program. The development of QB Jayden Maiava and the O-Line is critical, and coordinator D’Anton Lynn needs to continue to build on his solid ‘24 defensive unit. Riley shook up the staff, too. Will it lead to a big year in the B1G?

41. Vanderbilt: Clark Lea’s squad opened last season with a win over Virginia Tech and ended it with a victory over Georgia Tech. Oh, and the Commodores also beat Alabama for the first time since 1984. The ‘Dores had their first winning season since 2013. QB Diego Pavia is back, and Vandy returns one of the most experienced defensive units in the SEC. The ‘Dores have staying power.

42. UNLV: Former Florida head coach Dan Mullen is in Sin City, and the Rebels put together perhaps the best transfer class in the Group of Five. There is a QB battle between transfers Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea, and that will be a central focus in the fall. The defense played well as last season wound down, so the Rebels may need to lean on that unit, which is now coordinated by Paul Guenther. The former NFL DC is expected to have an aggressive scheme.

43. Arkansas: The Razorbacks don’t return a ton of starters, but QB Taylen Green is back. And that’s a big piece who should be even more comfortable Bobby Petrino’s second year calling the plays. But he needs to be protected. The Razorbacks lost six games or more for the third straight season in ‘24, so this is a huge year for Sam Pittman against a very difficult schedule.

44. Colorado: Of course, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders will be missed. They were the faces of Buffaloes football besides Deion Sanders. But don’t discount the staying power of this program. Liberty QB transfer Kaidon Salter will face competition from five-star freshman Julian Lewis, while the secondary is the strength of the defense despite losing Hunter and their starting safeties. Out of their 43 pass deflections last season, 21 came from underclassmen.

45. Minnesota: Max Brosmer is gone, so redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey will try to hold off Georgia Tech dual-threat graduate transfer Zach Pyron at QB. PJ Fleck’s squad does return RB Darius Taylor, who will rush behind a reshuffled offensive line.

46. Tulane: The Green Wave lost QB Darian Mensah (Duke) and RB Makhi Hughes (Oregon)—two big losses. Head coach Jon Sumrall did work the portal, including bringing in some nice offensive pieces. But strong QB play will be needed. Can Brendan Sullivan or Kadin Semonza play at a consistently high level?

47. Michigan State: Jonathan Smith is going to get things cooking in East Lansing sooner than later, just as he did at Oregon State. Vast improvement is needed defensively, especially up front and in the secondary, and QB Aidan Chiles needs to make a big jump in his development. Work in the portal, though, gives Sparty a chance to be one of the B1G’s most improved teams. MSU doesn’t play Ohio State or Oregon, and it gets Michigan and Penn State in East Lansing.

48. Pittsburgh: The Panthers faltered down the stretch last fall, finishing on a six-game losing streak after a 7-0 start. A healthy Eli Holstein at QB and RB Desmond Reid (fifth in FBS in all-purpose yards per game) both return to a Kade Bell-coordinated offense that averaged 32.9 points per game last season.

49. James Madison: Bob Chesney and his staff did a heck of a job in their first year following the departure of Curt Cignetti. After a mass exodus of players to Indiana, the Dukes still managed to go 9-4. Chesney and Co. then worked the portal to retool the roster, and it is one of the Sun Belt’s best hauls. Former UNLV QB Matthew Sluka has arrived and may be in line to start depending on the health of Alonza Barnett III. Meanwhile, the defense has a chance to be nasty after leading the Sun Belt in total and scoring defense last fall.

50. Wisconsin: Luke Fickell has started his career in Madison at 13-13, so this is a big season for the former Cincinnati head man. The offense has been revamped and is being led by coordinator Jeff Grimes. Maryland transfer QB Billy Edwards is gritty, and strong play will be needed under center. But expect a more modern version of the traditional Wisconsin power run offense to return.

51. Houston: The Cougars could not get out of their own way on offense last season—only Kent State (!) scored fewer points per game. The coaching staff went out and brought in QB Conner Weigman, who dealt with injuries and appeared in just 15 games over three seasons at Texas A&M. He’ll certainly have the playmakers around him to succeed. Defensively, UH was very good against the run last fall but needs an improved pass rush. This could be a Big 12 sleeper.

52. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will obviously miss stud RB Kyle Monangai, but Greg Schiano’s team should still find success on the ground with Antwan Raymond and FAU transfer CJ Campbell. Meanwhile, QB Athan Kaliakmanis took steps last season after coming over from Minnesota. Defensively, the unit finished 17th in the B1G in total defense, so the staff hopes it addressed some issues via the portal, such as bringing in Ohio’s Bradley Weaver, who was one of the MAC’s top pass rushers.

53. North Carolina: By far the most interesting team in the country for obvious reasons. Just how exactly will six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick fare in Chapel Hill with no college experience—in a collegiate world that has never been more topsy turvy? In terms of personnel, QB is a concern. Max Johnson’s health is an issue, while Purdue transfer Ryan Browne and freshman Bryce Baker remain in the mix. Secondary was also a concern, so Belichick and his son Steve brought in CB Thaddeus Dixon and S Peyton Waters from Washington. This could either go really well or turn really sour.

54. UTSA: Never look past Jeff Traylor and the Roadrunners. They lost some defensive pieces to power conference squads, but QB Owen McCown, RB Robert Henry and receiver Willie McCoy return. Playing better on the road is imperative, though. The Roadrunners went 0-6 away from the Alamodome last year.

55. Virginia Tech: Brent Pry changed coordinators after a disappointing 6-7 campaign. Redshirt senior QB Kyron Drones battled health issues throughout last season, so a return to full health and getting comfortable in OC Philip Montgomery’s system could go a long way in a Hokies rebound this fall.

56. Navy: The Midshipmen secured their first double-digit win total (10) since 2019 last season, and it included a win over Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl. QB Blake Horvath, who recorded 30 total scores, is back to lead an offense that averaged 31.3 points per game. And P.J. Volker’s unit had the league’s third-best scoring defense (22.2 points per contest). Brian Newberry’s squad is set to contend for the AAC title.

57. Oklahoma State: This is a big year for longtime head coach Mike Gundy. The Cowboys are coming off just their second losing season under Gundy, shockingly finishing winless in the Big 12. This team will look completely different, but the question is will the results change? If transfers such as QB Hauss Hejny (TCU) and RB Kalib Hicks (Oklahoma) pan out, don’t put it past Gundy for a bounce back season.

58. Virginia: In a pivotal year for Tony Elliott in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers have a chance to surprise in the ACC. Transfer QB Chandler Morris (North Texas) was a big snag for a team that averaged just 22.7 points per game last fall. Morris headlines a solid transfer class for the Hoos. And they avoid both Clemson and Miami (FL) on their ACC schedule.

59. Memphis: It will be difficult for the Tigers to match last year’s win total (11), but Ryan Silverfield’s squad has just one Power Four opponent on the schedule (Arkansas). The Tigers have to replace QB Seth Henigan—the four-year starter who finished his career as the program’s leader in passing yards (14,266), touchdowns (104) and completions (1,147)—as well as a slew of receivers, and the starting defense will be almost entirely brand new. But coordinator Jordon Hankins will have a bevy of intriguing transfers to evaluate this fall.

60. Syracuse: Second-year head coach Fran Brown and his staff have a lot of key pieces to fill in after a breakthrough ‘24 campaign. The schedule is brutal compared to last season’s slate, and special teams need to improve across the board. But new starting QB Rickie Collins has sat behind Jayden Daniels, Garrett Nussmeier and Kyle McCord. He’s ready. His dual-threat ability is intriguing, as is 17-year-old two-way athlete Demetres Samuel Jr., who will see time at CB and WR. Sound familiar?

61. Army: The schedule may not have been a murderers’ row, but no Army team had ever won 12 games in the 131 seasons of the academy’s football program before last year. Simply put, Jeff Monken is a stud. Now, losing QB Bryson Daily (1,659 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns) obviously hurts. But the Black Knights have enough help for senior starter Dewayne Coleman. And eight starters return on defense.

62. Boston College: Bill O’Brien’s squad lost five of its last eight games last year, including a bowl setback to Nebraska, but there is optimism. The rushing attack should be solid, and QB Grayson James showed flashes late in the year. But can the Eagles improve in the red zone? Defensively, they lost their entire starting defensive line, so some breakout seasons will be needed.

63. Kentucky: Outside of the 2020 campaign, last season was the first time since 2015 that the Wildcats didn’t have a winning record. So 2024 was an aberration for Mark Stoops and Co. The staff went into the portal and raided it for transfers who should help improve both lines, and there are more playmakers on offense, including Nebraska transfer back Dante Dowdell. But can QB Zach Calzada make enough plays down the field?

64. South Florida: Alex Golesh has put together back to back winning seasons, both of which culminated in bowl wins. QB Byrum Brown is back from a broken leg suffered in the middle of last year, and he’s one of the more fun players to watch in the AAC, which is winnable for the Bulls if they improve on defense. USF ranked 118th in the nation in total D in ‘24.

65. NC State: Dave Doeren promoted QBs coach Kurt Roper, who will be tasked with developing intriguing yet inconsistent QB CJ Bailey, who showed flashes as a freshman last year. But the Wolfpack need improvement along the offensive line, which needs to run block more consistently. Defensively, can DJ Eliot develop the secondary?

66. West Virginia: Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown, so Mountaineer fans are hoping he can bring back the magic he created in 2007 when WVU nearly played for the national title. This is a rebuild, with Rich Rod and the staff relying on the transfer portal. It will take time, but the ‘Neers should immediately be fun again. Last year his Jacksonville State squad ranked first in Conference USA in total offense.

67. Liberty: Jamey Chadwell and Co. lost some key parts, but this is still a talented roster. Star quarterback Kaidon Salter is gone, so either Ethan Vasko (Coastal Carolina) or Ryan Burger will step in and be surrounded by a strong group of receivers. Defensively, will the front seven present enough of a pass rush?

68. Cincinnati: The Bearcats were improved and even beat eventual Big 12 champion Arizona State last year. Scott Satterfield’s squad can lean on a ground attack that should be prolific, but QB Brendan Sorsby has the ability to push the ball downfield too. On defense, the unit could be sneaky good if some transfers help out in the secondary.

69. UCF: The Knights have a familiar face back in the form of Scott Frost, who guided the program to its first undefeated season in 2017, capped off by a Peach Bowl win over Auburn. The roster is completely new: only two players to start last year’s season opener remain. All eyes will be on the QB spot with Tayven Jackson (Indiana) among the candidates to start.

70. Arizona: Brent Brennan returns a ton of players from last year’s 4-8 squad. How much improvement those same players can make will be the question, though. QB Noah Fifita is back, and he’ll have some new receiving weapons as well as transfer RB Ismail Mahdi to help out. The defense doesn’t exactly need to be ‘Desert Swarm,’ but can it take a step forward?

71. Toledo: Jason Candle has led the Rockets to wins over Arkansas, Iowa State, BYU, Mississippi State and Pittsburgh during his tenure. He’s surely one of the nation’s best coaches. This offseason, he sought help across the offensive line as well as at the playmaking spots for veteran QB Tucker Gleason. And the defense should be sound once again despite needing to replace several starters up front. The secondary should remain the unit’s strength.

72. California: This could be a make or break year for Justin Wilcox. The Golden Bears need a much stronger rushing attack and need to be much better in pass protection. Can former Ohio State QB Devin Brown hold off true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele for the starting job in new coordinator Bryan Harsin’s offense? And how will the defense look under new co-DCs Terrence Brown and Vic So’oto?

73. San Jose State: In his first season, Ken Niumatalolo led the Spartans to their third straight 7-win campaign, the first time they have done so since the early 1990s. There was no option attack, which was a strange sight for a Niumatalolo-coached program. Instead, we saw a “spread and shred” attack, which should be solid to complement a defense that was fifth in the nation in takeaways last fall. Can SJSU sustain such defensive success?

74. UCLA: DeShaun Foster weathered a brutal early storm but managed to win four of his last six games to close out 2024, and then he landed Tennessee transfer QB Nico Iamaleava in the portal to help an offense that finished 118th in the nation in yards and 126th in scoring. But can UCLA protect him, and can it solve its ground attack woes? It finished 132nd in the nation in rushing.

75. Northwestern: We’ll see one more season of Wildcats football at the beautiful and quaint Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, and David Braun’s squad is intriguing. He brought in offensive coordinator Zach Lujan from South Dakota State and former SMU starting QB Preston Stone, so expect that unit to be much improved. Meanwhile, the defense should be solid across the board.

76. Air Force: Troy Calhoun’s Falcons had somewhat of a lost 2024 season, but they did win their last four games after a 1-7 start, which included a 28-0 win over Oregon State. It’s likely that Josh Johnson is the starter at QB, and his play will determine this offense’s fate.

77. Maryland: Mike Locksley needs to get this Terrapins offense humming again. The Terps really struggled during the second half of 2024. A newfound emphasis needs to be placed on the run to help UCLA transfer QB Justyn Martin. Meanwhile, the pass rush was nonexistent last fall. Can it improve to help out the secondary?

78. UConn: In Jim Mora’s third year, the Huskies enjoyed their first winning season since 2010. The offense was solid in the red zone, led by a strong running game, and it added Ty Chan (Notre Dame) at left tackle. Defensively, Mora and his staff worked the portal for enhancements, such as Ben Smiley (Virginia), Trent Jones (Iowa State) and Vincent Carroll-Jackson (Nebraska).

79. Mississippi State: This should be a much-improved outfit in Jeff Lebby’s second season, though the Bulldogs will face a brutal schedule. QB Blake Shapen is back after missing the final eight games of last season (shoulder), and the backfield is deep, led by RB Davon Booth. But the Bulldogs ranked 125th in the country in total defense last year, and they had just 10 sacks. Can several transfers help?

80. Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons had one of the worst pass defenses in the country last fall, so new head coach Jake Dickert will need to fix that first and foremost. The Deacs will have a new offensive scheme, and they will need to find a viable starting QB in either transfers Robby Ashford (South Carolina) or Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte) to complement do-everything back Demond Claiborne.

81. South Alabama: Major Applewhite’s program was hit hard by the portal, but this is still one of the better Group of Five teams in the country. Offensive coordinator Rob Izell left for Wake Forest, so Paul Petrino took over a unit that will be led by either Zach Pyron (Minnesota) or Bishop Davenport (Utah State) at QB. Defensively, the linebacker corps could be the strength of the unit.

82. Stanford: The Cardinal are a mess, but there is hope. Frank Reich is the interim head coach and GM Andrew Luck will get this program turned around. The future is bright at QB with Elijah Brown and freshman Bear Bachmeier, while the pass defense must make big strides. It’ll be interesting to see how this team comes together under Reich’s tutelage.

83. Texas State: The Bobcats have 16 wins in two years under GJ Kinne, which equals the number of victories in the six seasons before his arrival. Who will take the snaps in San Marcos? Gevani McCoy (Oregon State), Nate Yarnell (Pittsburgh) and Holden Geriner (Auburn) are the options. Defensively, some new faces will be leaned on to be disruptive.

84. Ohio: The Bobcats lost Tim Albin for Charlotte, so offensive coordinator Brian Smith is the new head man in charge. A lot of talent returns, including dual-threat QB Parker Navarro, but they lost a lot on both interiors as well as at linebacker. Can the offense carry the load until the defensive pieces gel?

85. Georgia Southern: Clay Helton has a lot of returning pieces, and the Eagles could be very prolific on offense if QB JC French can limit his turnovers. If the defense can be bend or don’t break, this is an intriguing Sun Belt outfit. But the Eagles have to prevent from wearing down in the nonconference: the slate features visits to Fresno State and USC as well as a home date with Jacksonville State.

86. Buffalo: Pete Lembo’s team had a wild ride last year, entering November 4-4 before rattling off five straight wins, including a Bahamas Bowl victory over Liberty. Kansas State transfer QB Ta’Quan Roberson will work behind a strong line, while the defense should be one of the MAC’s better overall units.

87. East Carolina: Blake Harrell stepped in last season and went 5-1, including leading the Pirates to a Military Bowl win over NC State. QB Kaitin Houser leads what should be a solid offense, but the entire unit needs to better protect the football. The Pirates finished 2024 with 30 giveaways, the most in the country. Defensively, some portal additions will need to step up.

88. Oregon State: The Beavers won four of their first five games in 2024 before a 1-6 finish in Trent Bray’s first season. But transfer QB Maalik Murphy (Duke) brings stability to the position, so this unit should thrive as long as the O-Line gels. Meanwhile, the defense needs to generate some sort of a pass rush, which was nonexistent last fall.

89. Purdue: Barry Odom is going to make Boilermakers football competitive again—in time. He won nine games in his first year at UNLV, and the Rebels won 11 in 2024, which is the best two-season run in program history. Odom knows how to fix a defense, but it’s unknown how Josh Henson’s offense will look in Year 1. The transfer-heavy roster could be a tough weekly out even if the wins aren’t there.

90. Washington State: The Cougars begin the Jimmy Rogers era after Jake Dickert left for Wake Forest. Expect the offense to be a little more run heavy, and the departure of John Mateer likely means redshirt senior Zevi Eckhaus will get the call at QB. Defensively, a slew of transfers will need to gel as the unit returns zero starters.

91. Fresno State: Matt Entz takes over a program that lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but this staff did a nice job of bringing in key pieces from the portal. How will it all shape up on both sides of the ball? There is a lot of unknown surrounding this Fresno team, but both the coach and the program have experienced sustained success, respectively. That could be the start of a healthy relationship.

92. Miami (OH): The RedHawks lost a ton from their 2024 roster, especially on offense. They did add QB Dequan Finn (Toledo/Baylor), but the O-Line will be completely new. The secondary should be the strength of the defense despite losing cornerback Raion Strader to Auburn. Chuck Martin and this staff know how to develop talent, so there may not be as much regression as one would think given the personnel turnover.

93. Colorado State: In his third season, Jay Norvell led the Rams to their first bowl game in seven years. The coaching staff worked the portal hard on both sides of the ball this offseason due to a ton of personnel losses. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi does return, and he’ll be surrounded by enough playmakers, but the defense only brings back one starter for new coordinator Tyson Summers.

94. North Texas: We know Eric Morris is going to field a prolific offense. The Mean Green, who haven’t had a winning season since 2018, averaged 489 yards per game (third-best in the country) last fall. But the defense finished 128th nationally in total D—porous against both the run and pass. The coaching staff worked the portal to enhance that side of the ball, which would go a long way in helping out the offense.

95. Hawai’i: This should be Timmy Chang’s best Rainbow Warriors outfit. The run-and-shoot offense will be in the hands of QB Micah Alejado, who shined in the final two games of 2024. He’s accurate, and he can be dangerous if the O-Line holds up. The back seven of the defense is solid, especially by Hawai’i standards. This is a Mountain West dark horse.

96. Western Kentucky: Tyson Helton has won at least eight games in five of his six seasons with the Hilltoppers, but this fall could be a challenge. Another new offensive coordinator has arrived (Rick Bowie) as well as co-defensive coordinators (Da’Von Brown and Davis Merritt). Only two starters remain from last year. But there is still a lot of talent—if Helton and his staff can help this team forge an identity quickly.

97. Wyoming: Jay Sawvel went 3-9 in his first season taking over for Craig Bohl, and both sides of the ball struggled. There are some intriguing skill-position players to support QB Kaden Anderson, while several transfers (many from FCS) will be leaned on defensively. Bet that the Cowboys bounce back from last year’s disaster.

98. Louisiana: Michael Desormeaux and Co. lost a ton of starters from last year’s squad, but there is still plenty of talent. The Ragin’ Cajuns were hit hardest on the receiving corps and in the secondary, but key transfers such as QB Walker Howard (Ole Miss), receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. (LSU) and cornerback Curley Reed III (Washington) could help make this squad a Sun Belt West division contender again.

99. San Diego State: The Aztecs went just 3-9 in the first year under Sean Lewis, the program’s worst team since 2008. But there is reason for optimism. The offense will be littered with new personnel, including either Jayden Denegal (Michigan) or Bert Emanuel Jr. (Central Michigan) at QB, while the defense should hold its own. Expect SDSU to get back to its winning ways.

100. Troy: Gerad Parker took over a program that had won back-to-back Sun Belt titles in 2022 and 2023, but he had to replace so much talent last season. The offense perked up late in the year, and this should be a much more physical team in the trenches. But the Trojans need several new faces to step up on both sides of the ball, and they need their collective special teams units to be, well, a little more special.

101. Old Dominion: Six of the Monarchs’ seven losses were by a touchdown or less last fall, including a season-opening 23-19 defeat to South Carolina. Redshirt freshman QB Colton Joseph is back behind an experienced offensive line, but several JUCO players at the skill positions and in the secondary will be leaned on for Ricky Rahne’s bunch.

102. Utah State: Bronco Mendenhall has arrived, so the Aggies mean business after suffering through three straight losing seasons. This is a portal-heavy roster, so it will take time to sort through all of the pieces. But the offense has potential with QB Bryson Barnes and transfer RBs Javen Jacobs (New Mexico) and Miles Davis (BYU).

103. Arkansas State: Butch Jones and the Red Wolves will look to build off of last year’s eight-win season, but so many starters have departed. Coordinator Keith Heckendorf should have the offense still humming with QB Jaylen Raynor, but the defense returns just one starter. Jones had to work the portal, and at least on paper it looks like he and his staff found some intriguing talent.

104. Southern Miss: Outside of UNLV, this is one of the most intriguing programs in the Group of Five in 2025. Charles Huff begins his first year with the Golden Eagles, and he completely rebuilt the roster after the program went 1-11. The two-deep is practically brand new, and it will feature a slew of former Marshall players, so how will the pieces fit?

105. Appalachian State: The Mountaineers have entered their Dowell Loggains era, but can he reclaim success at a program with so much winning history? The longtime NFL coach was most recently South Carolina’s OC and inherited a roster that lost 40-plus players to the portal. But there is a lot to like about the talent he brought in. This is yet another example of the new era in college athletics, so we’ll just have to wait and see how the talent blends together.

106. Bowling Green: And then we have the Falcons, a program that lost head coach Scot Loeffler to the Philadelphia Eagles in late February. Enter Eddie George, who led Tennessee State to a conference title and an FCS playoff berth in his fourth season. QB Drew Pyne found another new home, so he will lead what should be a solid offense. Defensively, coordinator Brandon Fisher will be relying on a lot of transfers.

107. Coastal Carolina: Tim Beck’s Chanticleers endured an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, so better health is a start. Beck and Co. loaded up on defenders in the portal, so there’s a lot of talent and depth on that side of the ball. But who will get the call at QB between Emmett Brown (San Jose State) and MJ Morris (Maryland)?

108. Northern Illinois: The Huskies used the portal to plug some major gaps on a team that upset Notre Dame and won eight games last fall. Thomas Hammock brought in coordinator Quinn Sanders, who led an explosive offense at Charleston in Division II, as well as former Arkansas State coordinator Rob Harley to run the defense after Nick Benedetto left for Fresno State. Both sides of the ball need new faces to emerge and stand out.

109. Jacksonville State: Charles Kelly has big shoes to fill with the Gamecocks. It was a little surprising the administration didn’t give offensive coordinator Rod Smith the permanent head gig when Rich Rodriguez left; instead, it opted for defensive-minded Kelly. Expect a more balanced offense under coordinator Clint Trickett, while the strength of the defense should be up front.

110. Florida Atlantic: The Zach Kittley era has arrived, so expect some more fireworks for the Owls on offense, led by Western Kentucky transfers Caden Veltkamp at QB and receiver Easton Messer. Coordinator Brett Dewhurst may have his hands full on defense, but the Kittley hire was inspired.

111. Marshall: Charles Huff departed, and a slew of players followed. So new head coach Tony Gibson isn’t exactly coaching the 2024 Sun Belt champions. The roster turnover is head-spinning, so it’s impossible to project the 2025 Thundering Herd.

112. Sam Houston: New head coach Phil Longo was part of the Sam Houston coaching staff under KC Keeler back in the day, and he’ll have to decide between Hunter Watson and Mabrey Mettauer at QB to run the offense. The Bearkats defense was very good last fall, but many of the key cogs are gone. Portal help was needed, so we need to see who steps up.

113. Louisiana Tech: This could be a make or break season for Sonny Cumbie, who is leading a program that has been unable to win more than five games in a season since 2019. Tony Franklin is back as OC, and that’s big. But Luke Olson has work to do with the defense, which needs help—especially up front.

114. Eastern Michigan: Chris Creighton has taken the Eagles bowling six times in the past nine years—an amazing feat at one of the toughest jobs in the country. They will look to bounce back from a 2024 campaign that saw them end the year on a five-game skid. This is another squad facing a lot of turnover, but injuries pressed a lot of returnees into action last season. This team could be a MAC X-factor.

115. Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders went just 3-9 in Derek Mason’s first year replacing Rick Stockstill. But a lot of young players gained experience, and many of the starters are back. QB Nicholas Vattiato is solid, and there are intriguing pieces on defense for this team to make a jump this fall.

116. UTEP: Scotty Walden brought in new coordinators on both sides of the ball: former TCU QBs coach Mark Cala on offense and former Montana State DC Bobby Daly on defense, as well as 30 transfers. Expect the defense to be aggressive, while the offense needs improvement on the ground, making the addition of former Charlotte RB Hahsaun Wilson very important.

117. Western Michigan: The Broncos don’t return much to Walt Bell’s offense, but head coach Lance Taylor brought in some power-conference transfers to help. Meanwhile, Taylor brought in yet another new defensive coordinator in Chris O’Leary, who will need some small-school transfers to help out immediately.

118. UAB: This is likely a make or break season for Trent Dilfer, whose offense under Alex Mortensen has been solid. The Blazers have been porous on defense, though, so new coordinator Steve Russ has a lot of work to do and will rely on several transfers.

119. Georgia State: It was a wild first season for Dell McGee, who was hired after spring practice had already started last offseason. He has a new DC in Travis Pearson, who will rely on experience up front. QB Christian Veilleux and receiver Ted Hurst are back, while the RB room is deep.

120. Central Michigan: Matt Drinkall had success at the NAIA level, and he’ll try to revive the Chippewas following the departure of Jim McElwain. We likely won’t see a ton of option with Joe Labas at QB, while Sean Cronin will be tasked with capping the amount of explosive plays the defense allowed last fall.

121. Louisiana-Monroe: Bryant Vincent worked wonders with the Warhawks in his first season, though they finished 0-6 after a 5-1 start. Expect another offense focused on the run and a sound defense. Will that be enough for a postseason berth?

122. New Mexico State: Tony Sanchez was able to rely on the ground game last season, but new OC David Yost is expected to open things up a bit more with Montana transfer QB Logan Fife. Meanwhile, the Aggies defense—for better or worse—should remain very aggressive under coordinator Joe Morris.

123. Nevada: Jeff Choate and the Wolf Pack had a promising start to 2024 before losing their last six games, then they lost offensive coordinator Matt Lubick and most of their starters. But Choate and his staff worked the portal hard, which should help the defense. And the offense should be productive with QB Chubba Purdy.

124. Delaware: The Blue Hens have arrived in FBS. Ryan Carty’s squad is ready for the transition after going 9-2 in its final FCS season. Both sides of the ball have talent, and the defense returns a ton of talent. This could be a fun team to watch in its first season in C-USA.

125. Charlotte: Tim Albin was brought in to stabilize the 49ers, and it seems like the right hire after he won 30 games in his last three years succeeding Frank Solich at Ohio. Roster turnover is prevalent, so there will be a heavy reliance on transfers. But Albin should get this program on track sooner than later.

126. Temple: K.C. Keeler’s first year with the Owls may be trying, but this is a coach who won FCS national titles at both Delaware and Sam Houston, and he won nine games in SHSU’s second season in the FBS. Offensive line is a concern, but the defense could be intriguing.

127. Akron: It’s been tough for Joe Moorhead with the Zips. The offense lacks explosiveness, while the team’s APR scores prompted a postseason ban. There are some nice returning pieces and portal help, but motivation may be an issue this fall.

128. Tulsa: Tre Lamb is a bright, young head coach who led Gardner-Webb to FCS playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. Expect this offense, QB’d by Kirk Francis, to be fun to watch. Defense will be the biggest question, so we’ll see if some transfers can help.

129. New Mexico: The Lobos have had just one winning season in 17 years, so Jason Eck has a lot of work to do. But he had a lot of success at Idaho, and he brought in a slew of Big Sky transfers. Expect an emphasis on the run behind a veteran offensive line, while the secondary is a mystery defensively.

130. Rice: Scott Abell begins his first season with the Owls after going 47-28 at Davidson and never finishing below .500. His shotgun spread-option attack averaged 315.6 rushing yards per game (!!!) in 2024. It will take time to transition schemes, but this seems like a really shrewd hire.

131. Missouri State: Ryan Beard begins his third year with the Bears and the first in FBS with a ready-made offense led by QB Jacob Clark, who should be one of C-USA’s best. The bigger question is how coordinator L.D. Scott’s defense will fare.

132. Ball State: The Cardinals are now led by Mike Uremovich, who is familiar with the MAC. The offense will feature some dynamos along with a 6-foot-10 tackle, while the porous secondary will lean on transfers.

133. Kennesaw State: Jerry Mack is now running the Owls program, and he inherits a lot of pieces from last year’s defense, which should be the strength of the team. Offensively, well, coordinator Mitch Militello has a lot of work to do.

134. FIU: The Golden Panthers begin their first season under Tallahassee native Willie Simmons, who was successful at Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M. There are just a lot of unproven pieces, and depth could be an issue in Year 1.

135. UMass: The Minutemen are back in the MAC and are now being led by Joe Harasymiak, a Massachusetts native who was Greg Schiano’s defensive coordinator at Rutgers. Love the hire, but it will be tough sledding for now as Harasymiak remakes and sets up his roster.

136. Kent State: Kenni Burns was dismissed in mid-April, so offensive coordinator Mark Carney is now the interim head coach. That’s how bad things are for a program that went 1-23 in two seasons under Burns.

Okay, who’s ready for some ball?

Follow me on X @Miller_Dave & email me at david.matthew.miller@gmail.com