While the season has almost arrived, it’s not here just yet. We’re in the camp buzz portion of the offseason, and the predictions are flying left and right. So let’s make some bold predictions for every team in the Group of Five.
Can Boise State be fine without Ashton Jeanty? Does Navy have a playoff run in them? Questions like these make for a great thought exercise, and the answers to them will shape the 2025 season.
Army Black Knights
Army Beats Navy
Army just beat Navy back in 2023, didn’t they? However, the Black Knights usher in a new quarterback into their triple-option attack. Many expect them to take a step back due to the roster departures, and those same people expect Navy to be at the top of the conference.
If Black Knights QB Dewayne Coleman is the real deal, then Army is set. Anything can happen in this game, and a win would give Jeff Monken’s team seven wins in the last 10 games against the Midshipmen. This prediction gets bolder once you read Navy’s potential outlook.
Charlotte 49ers
49ers Start 3-1
This bold prediction will be proven or broken in relatively short order. Facing Appalachian State to start the season will give us an idea of what head coach Tim Albin has done in his limited time with the program, but the excitement is definitely there.
A new roster makes chemistry difficult, but Albin’s no stranger to getting his teams to play above expectations. Following the season opener against App State, the 49ers will host North Carolina, Monmouth, and Rice.
East Carolina Pirates
ECU Beats Both NC State and BYU
If you’re looking for an under-the-radar game to watch in the first full weekend of college football, look no further than when East Carolina travels to NC State for a rematch of last year.
Both teams generally dislike each other, and Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren only added fuel to the fire as Week 1 drew near.
“I don’t want to just win that game. I want to beat the s*** out of that team.”
NC State’s Dave Doeren had some strong words for ECU ahead of the season opener and shared more thoughts on the brawl that took place at the end of the Military Bowl.
✍️: https://t.co/4sOcHjKdg3 pic.twitter.com/OEc4wvz6At
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) July 24, 2025
ECU has the chance to do something special this year. Beating NC State would get things off to a good start, and the BYU matchup suddenly looks more appealing with Jake Retzlaff leaving the program.
Florida Atlantic Owls
QB Caden Veltkamp Leads Group of Five in Passing
QB Caden Veltkamp joins HC Zach Kittley in one of the best pairings for a coach and quarterback in college football. After a big year for Western Kentucky in 2024, Veltkamp takes over the FAU Owls’ offense, looking to build upon his production.
Former teammate Easton Messer joins him at wide receiver, and the Owls’ passing attack has a great foundation as a result. There will be plenty of competition this year. UTSA, USF, North Texas, and Memphis could all challenge this team within the conference, but I like what the Owls could do through the air.
Memphis Tigers
QB AJ Hill Starts by the Arkansas Game
Ryan Silverfield and the Memphis Tigers seem to be reloading rather than rebuilding. They brought in Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis to run the offense and signed a promising young player in AJ Hill.
The freshman will be a part of the weekly game plan, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s the starter.
This is not a knock on Lewis by any means. I think he’ll have a solid season, but the world of college football tells me there’s a good chance the Tigers might put the ball in the hands of the program’s future regardless.
Either way, this team should still be a contender, just as long as someone’s not giving out their playbook again.
Navy Midshipmen
Navy Wins the American, But Loses to Army a Week Later
To make this even bolder, I’m predicting that the Midshipmen will have one loss (the Notre Dame game) heading into Army-Navy, which will take them out of the College Football Playoff picture. This prediction is very specific, but imagine the theatrics if this happens.
I like Navy a lot to win the conference with its returning talent. QB Blake Horvath is a stud, and the rushing attack is in great hands with the talent surrounding him. There aren’t many games that worry me, but the pressure will only grow as the season progresses.
Army has also won six of the last nine games in this series, so the Midshipmen understand the expectations to change that trend. With a playoff spot on the line, that game will command even more attention than it already normally does.
North Texas Mean Green
HC Eric Morris Leaves After the 2025 Season
North Texas comes into the 2025 season as a potential sleeper team in the American, but they could go either way. This team has taken good strides under Eric Morris, and this year could be his best one yet. However, he’s dealing with a ton of turnover, so it might take time.
Either way, the Mean Green should possess one of the better offenses in the conference, meaning Morris will get credit. If the Mean Green has success as a team, Morris could be an attractive candidate in the coaching carousel. If the offense is successful, he could take a job elsewhere regardless of team success.
Morris has shown that he knows what he’s doing as a play-caller, and this year, he can remind everyone that he knows what he’s doing as a head coach, too. The Mean Green benefits from that, but the new world of college football might punish them if he gets promoted elsewhere.
Rice Owls
Rice Goes 2-10
HC Scott Abell obviously knew the challenges of taking over this program, but reality still might hit him hard.
The nonconference schedule features Louisiana, Houston, Prairie View A&M, and UConn, and the conference schedule features four teams that should compete for the conference championship.
Temple Owls
Temple Makes a Bowl Game in HC KC Keeler’s First Season
Keeler takes over a program that most people chose in College Football 26 because it’s a great rebuild. He just might speed up the process faster than most gamers. The Owls have an opportunity to stun the conference, and they get a favorable schedule in 2025.
In conference play, they do have to face UTSA, Navy, ECU, and Tulane, though all of those games are at home. The road trips include Charlotte, Tulsa, Army, and North Texas, so overall, the fanbase has to feel good about their chances to make a bowl in Keeler’s first season.
Tulane Green Wave
Tulane Upsets Duke and Former QB Darian Mensah
Tulane HC Jon Sumrall has been the perfect example of class when it comes to players leaving his program, and I don’t question his sincerity for one second. But the competitor in him wants to get the upper hand over his former quarterback when the Blue Devils come to campus on September 13.
Sumrall is used to change. He lost many top players in the portal and brought in five transfer quarterbacks to replace Mensah. Most recently, he added ex-BYU QB Jake Retzlaff to the roster. What better way to beat Mensah than with one of the guys you brought in to replace him?
Duke won’t roll over by any means. The Blue Devils are slept on in the ACC, but this game will challenge them. The atmosphere should be electric, and we’ll get a good idea of where the Green Wave stands within the first month of the season.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
RB Dominic Richardson Rushes for 1,000 Yards
Running back Dominic Richardson’s fumble against Colorado might have done some damage, but he can still be the top running back on a new team. Head coach Tre Lamb is hoping to turn around the Golden Hurricane program, and Richardson could play a huge role.
This program had a great stretch of running backs, and that was a big reason for its success. If they can return to that, we should see the offense stabilize in 2025.
UAB Blazers
Blazers Have an Interim Coach Before October
Trent Dilfer is 7-17 with the Blazers, and there aren’t many signs of improvement within the program. The UAB head coach has seen huge waves of departures in his years here, making winning games extremely difficult.
With Navy and Tennessee on the schedule in September, this is most likely a 2-2 start. Should they get upset by Alabama State or Akron, Dilfer might as well start packing. Given his connections, there’s also a chance he takes a job elsewhere if the writing’s on the wall.
USF Bulls
QB Byrum Brown Accounts for 4,500 Total Yards
Now, I will admit that much of this hinges on Byrum Brown staying healthy for the entire season, but if he’s healthy, he sets the Bulls up to win. That said, it might take some time for the zero to change in the win column, considering Boise State, Miami, and Florida are the first three teams on the schedule.
Brown is a dynamic dual threat and fits perfectly in Alex Golesh’s offense. In 2023, Brown accounted for 4,101 yards and 37 touchdowns in his first year as the starter. Two years later, he should be set to put up gaudy numbers in this offense regardless of competition.
UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA Makes the American Conference Championship
Alternate option: UTSA HC Jeff Traylor brings former Memphis safety Tahj Ra-El on as an analyst. He seems to know how to give the Roadrunners an advantage. Kidding, Traylor would never, mostly because he has better things to do in 2025.
The Roadrunners aren’t a team getting a ton of hype heading into the season, but they should be. QB Owen McCown returns to lead what should be one of the most exciting passing attacks.
Even without De’Corian Clark, the Roadrunners are stacked at wide receiver and tight end. McCown should find life easy moving the ball through the air, and it will just come down to what the defense can do to support the offense.
Delaware Blue Hens
The Blue Hens Win Eight Games
One of the Conference USA newcomers will surprise people this year, but it also might be both. Delaware makes the leap from FCS to FBS at a great time, and they’re hoping to carry the momentum of a 9-2 season into their new conference.
While the jump up in competition provides challenges, the Blue Hens aren’t scared of their opportunity. The conference schedule provides plenty of winnable games, and this team might be dialed in enough to get to eight wins in its first season at the FBS level.
FIU Panthers
FIU Beats FAU
The Panthers haven’t beaten the Owls since 2016 and are on a seven-game losing streak. Both programs are going through coaching changes, and the game is early in the year. So who knows what could happen?
My four favorite plays from @FIUFootball’s Keyone Jenkins last season. pic.twitter.com/t2PxsPHL0E
— Jorge Pola (@jpola9) July 10, 2025
The battle between FIU’s Keyone Jenkins and FAU’s Caden Veltkamp will be entertaining, and the quarterback who plays more consistently in this one will most likely come out with a win.
The Panthers are itching to get back on the winning track, and this would be a great way to start.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Gamecocks Don’t Make a Bowl
Maybe Charles Kelly has what it takes to be a head coach, but this year won’t be a fair year to judge him on that. Rich Rodriguez left the cupboard fairly bare, so Kelly must rebuild the roster. That might take some time.
The schedule doesn’t start well, as they face UCF, Liberty, and Georgia Southern. The conference schedule also features Sam Houston on the road and Western Kentucky finishing the year. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this team miss a bowl game in 2025.
Kennesaw State Owls
Owls Win Four Games
It’s hard to make a bold prediction for the Owls in their situation without sounding crazy. In their first year at the FBS level, the program finished 2-10 and fired their head coach. That’s about as bold as you can be, so it’s tough to match that energy.
One big surprise last year was the Owls’ win over Liberty, so winning four games could be a possibility if Jerry Mack has his program on the right track. It’s still not great, but it would at least be a step in the right direction.
Liberty Flames
Ethan Vasko Breaks Liberty’s Single-Season Passing TD Record
Jamey Chadwell knows the importance of this year. A disappointing 8-4 campaign in 2024 left fans wanting more, and they should get back on track. The quarterback position will lead the charge.
Ethan Vasko comes in from Coastal Carolina and gives Chadwell’s offense a knowledgeable player with the skill set to dominate opposing defenses. The pass catchers are deep with options like Casey Cain, Elijah Canion, Tyson Mobley, Jamari Person, Reese Smith, and Donte Lee Jr., so breaking this record is possible.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Bulldogs Have an Interim Head Coach by October
I hope I’m wrong with this one, but I just haven’t seen anything from Sonny Cumbie that tells me this year is the one his team breaks out. They did improve in Cumbie’s third season with the team, but they only finished 5-8 last year, haven’t had a winning season in CUSA in his tenure, and are 11-26 under his watch.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Blue Raiders Make a Bowl Game
Derek Mason inherited tougher situations than this one in his time as a head coach, so the challenge for his squad in 2025 isn’t an unfamiliar one. Middle Tennessee must find a way to be more competitive this year.
They lost nine games last year by an average of 23 points, so that’s the first step to achieving this prediction. Winning three more games doesn’t seem tough until you see that number, so getting to a bowl game should show progress and excitement under Mason’s leadership.
Missouri State Bears
Bears Finish Third in CUSA
Like I said before, the new faces in Conference USA could have some success early, and I like what Missouri State could be this year. With quarterback Jacob Clark returning, the offense should be just fine, and it will be up to the defense to do their part.
MORE READING: Top 25 Returning College Football Running Backs — How Dangerous Is Penn State Duo Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen?
The Bears started the 2024 season with two close losses, but those came against third-ranked FCS Montana and Ball State. They didn’t lose another game until they faced eventual FCS national champion North Dakota State, so the transition to the FBS shouldn’t worry them much.
New Mexico State Aggies
Aggies Win One Game
Winning at New Mexico State takes the right formula, and I’m not convinced Tony Sanchez has it. Jerry Kill did wonders here, but that continues to be an anomaly. The Aggies face FCS outfit Bryant in their first game, but finding wins after that is easier said than done.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Bearkats Make a Bowl Game
K.C. Keeler’s departure to Temple comes with mixed reviews, but there’s a chance this team has enough stability to keep winning. If the new staff can get Hunter Watson and the offense on the same page early, the Bearkats should be able to find six wins with their 2025 schedule.
UTEP Miners
UTEP Wins Nine Games
If all of these bold predictions hit, college football’s going to be insane this year. UTEP hasn’t won eight games since 2004 or nine games since 1956, so this is about as bold as they get.
The Miners will lose to Texas, and realistically should lose to Liberty too (though the Flames lost to Kennesaw State last year, so who knows). Other than that, there are 10 games on this schedule that the Miners could win. A lot needs to happen before that’s reality, but the offseason is the time to get delusional.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Maverick McIvor Throws for 4,500 Yards
The last two transfers to run Western Kentucky’s offense turned out alright, so I trust that Maverick McIvor has the tools to do the same. Bailey Zappe took the Hilltoppers offense to new heights, and McIvor should love playing in the same system.
Abilene Christian’s Maverick McIvor rips the dagger off play action with really nice anticipation last season against North Texas. pic.twitter.com/7KDU78Ucok
— Justin Apodaca (@JustinApod) August 29, 2024
He comes from Abilene Christian, where he threw for 3,828 yards and 30 touchdowns. The Hilltoppers’ schedule gives him numerous opportunities to sling it against inferior competition, and that should excite this fan base.
UConn Huskies
Huskies Finish 11-1
Doing this will be a challenge — the surprise factor the Huskies had last year is gone, and they have to face Syracuse, Boston College, and Duke in 2025. Jim Mora’s squad is ready for the challenge, so I trust this team can carry momentum into this season.
Quarterback Joe Fagnano returns alongside running backs Cam Edwards and Mel Brown, and the passing attack features a number of returning talents, including Skyler Bell. So the Huskies have what it takes to make a run, and the defense has some intriguing pieces coming from the portal to help that side of the ball, too.
Akron Zips
Zips Win Six Games
If Joe Moorhead pulls this off, it will be one of the most impressive feats by a head coach in college football history. Akron’s already ineligible for the postseason, so there’s no reward for winning six games. This program has struggled to find wins, and most people expect a poor season. So, really, the only bold prediction left is that they do this.
Ball State Cardinals
Cardinals Win Just Two Games
It feels like an eternity since Ball State went 7-1 in 2020, and the program’s gone in the wrong direction since then. Mike Uremovich takes over as the head coach, and the Cardinals hope he can get them back to winning.
The problem is that the schedule starts with Purdue and Auburn. They should beat FCS New Hampshire, but then they face UConn to finish non-conference play and defending champion Ohio to start MAC competition.
Bowling Green Falcons
Falcons Make a Bowl in Eddie George’s First Season
My high school football coach lived for the chance to tell us about the time he stuffed Eddie George on the goal line. So anytime George’s name comes up, it’s the first story I think of, and it makes me chuckle. For a while, it looked like coaching might go the same way for George until last season.
Tennessee State went 15-18 in his first three seasons, but had a breakout 9-4 campaign last year. He returns to the state of Ohio for an inverse journey of his playing career, and the Falcons are pumped to have him back.
Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo Wins the MAC
If Ta’Quan Roberson hits the ground running in this offense, the Bulls will be a problem this year. A road trip to Minnesota to start the year will be tough, but this team is already exceeding expectations under Pete Lembo. This year, they could take that to another level.
Al-Jay Henderson joins Roberson in the backfield, and he’ll have a talented group of receivers and an experienced offensive line. The defense returns two studs at linebacker in Red Murdock and Dion Crawford, and defensive end Kobe Stewart is set to wreak havoc. The pieces are there, and it feels like this team has a title run in them.
Central Michigan Chippewas
Chippewas Finish with Multiple First-Team All-MAC Selections on Defense
While the Chippewas’ offense sorts out who will start, their defense should be able to carry the team early in the season. Led by linebackers Jordan Kwiatkowski, Dakota Cochran, and Fernando Sanchez, the defense has the talent to improve from last year.
The defensive line and secondary also return quality talent, so this may not be so bold if they play to their potential. If anything, this defense should improve thanks to the returning talent. The schedule is tough to start, but their toughest conference games are at home.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Terry Lockett Surpasses 1,000 Receiving Yards
Terry Lockett is the best receiver that no one’s talking about this year. He was a third-team All-MAC selection in 2024, and the Eagles are happy to have him back this year. He needs to find chemistry with a new starting quarterback, but his presence should steady the offense for now.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Golden Flashes Finish 0-12 Again
If anyone has a bolder prediction than this, I’m all ears, but this is the best I could do. Honestly, it didn’t matter if Kent State had a head coach or an interim heading into the season. The wins simply weren’t going to be there. FCS Merrimack is the only game they have a fighter’s chance, but St. Francis (PA) would like me to remind you that it’s not a guarantee.
Miami RedHawks
RedHawks Finish two games below .500
Chuck Martin deserves more credit than he gets for the 20 wins and two MAC Championship Game appearances he’s produced. If he does it again this year, I’ll never doubt him again.
Departures via graduation, NFL, and transfer portal leave the cupboard fairly bare this year, so it might be a longer year. Outside of the unique 2020 season, the RedHawks haven’t won fewer than five games in a season since 2015. They’ll still be tough, but wins will come at a premium in 2025.
Northern Illinois Huskies
Telly Johnson Jr. Rushes for 1,000 Yards
Multiple departures at the position and a new quarterback should aid this, and Telly Johnson Jr. is ready to show the world what he can do. The sophomore found himself as the third-string running back in 2024, but this year, he’s the top dog.
Northern Illinois always seems to have a dude at RB — and Telly Johnson Jr. (@tellyjohnson23) looks like he has the potential to be the next one.
Playing primarily In the final 6 games of 2024, he posted 103-480-4 on the ground. At 5’11”, 209 lbs, he brings a physical element… pic.twitter.com/RMQGe4V8rz
— Bryan (@BGauvin23) June 19, 2025
He only played in six games last year, but ran the ball 103 times for 480 yards and four touchdowns. With Gavin Williams and Antario Brown gone, it’s Johnson’s time to shine for the Huskies.
Ohio Bobcats
QB Parker Navarro Accounts for 4,000 Total Yards
The scariest part about Parker Navarro is that he can get better. You heard that right. The guy who accounted for 3,470 yards and 31 touchdowns can find another gear. Thanks largely to a mass exodus of talent, Navarro is one of the few building blocks remaining in the offense.
My four favorite plays from @OhioFootball’s Parker Navarro last season. pic.twitter.com/AY0TKFNFJt
— Jorge Pola (@jpola9) July 29, 2025
So, by default, the offense will revolve around him even more than it did last year. He’ll need to wait for a new running back to emerge, and new top targets must present themselves as well. So expect Navarro to inherit some of that responsibility and increase his production.
Toledo Rockets
Toledo Comes Up Short in MAC Championship Again
Overall, Jason Candle has done well to keep winning at Toledo. It’s just that a recent trend is raising concerns for the program. They won the MAC title in 2022, but they were stunned by Miami (OH) in 2023 and didn’t make the championship game last year. Whether it’s fair or not, the Rockets have higher standards.
PREDICT THE 2025 CFP FIELD WITH OUR FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREDICTOR
They don’t have to face Ohio or Buffalo, and their conference opponents had a combined record of 41-60 last year. So there’s a little cushion on their way to the title game, but the MAC is as unpredictable as any conference. As we’ve seen, winning it all in this conference isn’t an easy task.
UMass Minutemen
Minutemen Improve, But Still Miss a Bowl Game
The only team that truly benefits from being independent is Notre Dame (at least in terms of winning games). UMass struggled to find wins, but they knew what they were getting into as independents. Now, they are joining a conference, but it still might be a while before they win.
Five MAC teams were on the Minutemen’s schedule last year, so they shouldn’t be surprised at what they see. The problem is that they went 0-5 in those games and were outscored 157-80. So, it’s safe to say that there’s work to do before they get to bowl eligibility in their new home.
Western Michigan Broncos
Broncos Finish 8-4
Western Michigan was the surprise that no one really talked about last year. Lance Taylor’s second year with the program turned into a Salute to Veterans Bowl appearance, and the Broncos hope to build off that momentum in 2025. With everyone focused on the top teams, they could surprise the MAC again this year and win eight games.
Air Force Falcons
Air Force Finishes Top-3 in Rushing
Want to know the standard of Air Force football under Troy Calhoun? Last year was a major disappointment offensively, and they still finished 10th nationally in rushing yards per game. To the Falcons, that’s unacceptable, so expect a big bounce-back in 2025.
Calhoun’s done an incredible job of winning with this team, and he’s ready to get them back to the standard. If the offense can run the ball effectively again, the Falcons will be in great shape.
Boise State Broncos
Rushing Attack is Fine Without Ashton Jeanty
Don’t get me wrong, the ceiling will feel like it’s caving in on the Broncos’ rushing attack, but a higher floor balances things out. Sire Gaines, Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod, Jambres Dubar, and Dylan Riley all return, and that depth should stabilize the rushing attack.
True freshman Sire Gaines is a NFL guy too pic.twitter.com/TBqR7OkVFq
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) August 31, 2024
Don’t get me wrong, this team will miss Ashton Jeanty. They don’t have a player that can do what he did, but this group as a whole can replicate his numbers. That balance should help the offense, too, and quarterback Maddux Madsen will appreciate the stability next to him.
Colorado State Rams
Rams Win Nine Games
Much of this prediction hinges on the development of Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. He enters his third season as a starter for the Rams, and we need to see him take a step. He’ll once again have to find new go-to weapons downfield, but guys like Armani Winfield and Jordan Ross will help.
The defense took some huge hits, but they return some nice pieces like defensive end Mukendi Wa-kalonji and safety Ayden Hector. Jay Norvell has shown that he can exceed expectations in the past, and the wide-open Mountain West allows him to do it again in 2025.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State Beats Kansas
Matt Entz kept North Dakota State at a championship level, so there are many reasons to believe he can keep the Bulldogs as a tough team. Their identity on offense may change, but their mentality won’t. We’ll find out how the team adapts to that quickly when they play Kansas in the Jayhawks’ new stadium.
Fresno State has beaten tougher teams than the Jayhawks in the past, so there’s growing optimism they can start the year with a win. Slowing down Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels will be tough, and dealing with a raucous stadium won’t be easy either.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Rainbow Warriors Beat Stanford and Arizona
I’m fully aboard the Hawaii hype train this year, and the first two games will tell us if it’s full steam ahead or a derailment. Timmy Chang is building something special, and he’s trying to revive the aura from when he was quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors.
Micah Alejado enters the 2025 season as the starting quarterback, and we’ll find out how ready he is when he faces Stanford and Arizona. The Cardinal appear to be headed for another tough year in the ACC, and the Wildcats don’t have Tetairoa McMillan anymore. So the door is open, the Rainbow Warriors just need to kick it down.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Wolf Pack Makes a Bowl Game
While the Wolf Pack went 3-10 last year, they were closer to a bowl game than people realize. Five of their games were decided by a combined 25 points, so this year, their focus is on winning more of those one-score games. New talent will make that tough, but Jeff Choate appears to have this program on the right track.
New Mexico Lobos
Lobos Only Win Two Games
Winning at New Mexico isn’t easy. Even with the work that Bronco Mendenhall did with this team last year, they still finished 5-7. Since Rocky Long departed in 2008, the Lobos have only witnessed two winning seasons, so head coach Jason Eck understands the challenge ahead of him.
His experience winning in an area where talent is scarce equips him for this job, but it’s still tough to win. The Lobos’ schedule starts out decent, but conference play features multiple top teams.
San Diego State Aztecs
Aztecs Finish With a Top-50 Offense
If Sean Lewis can do what he did at Kent State, there’s no reason why the Aztecs shouldn’t succeed. This year has the potential to be a great one as long as Lewis finds his quarterback. The talent around the winner should make their life easier.
Wide receiver Jordan Napier is back, and the running back room is stacked with transfer portal talent. If everything clicks, the Aztecs will have one of the best offenses in the conference, and they’ll take a huge leap from where they were last season.
San Jose State Spartans
Spartans Make a Conference Title Run
Ken Niumatalolo is a proven winner. That much isn’t debatable, and it’s a big reason why the Spartans expect to compete for a Mountain West championship. A combination of his track record with the returning talent should make that happen, and they’ll have a chance to take over the conference.
The only game with major concerns is the road trip to Texas, but they don’t face UNLV or Boise State this year. So the schedule sets them up for a run. If quarterback Walker Eget thrives as the full-time starter, they won’t miss the talent they lost at receiver.
UNLV Rebels
UNLV Makes a Bowl Game, But Finishes 6-6
I trust that Dan Mullen will do great things for the Rebels during his tenure, but it might take some time before that happens.
MORE READING: ‘Sleeping Giant’ — Analyst Makes Bold Arizona State Comparison for UNLV’s Explosive Rise
He’s relying on a ton of transfer portal talent to take over starting spots on both sides of the ball, and that will take time for everyone to get on the same page.
Utah State Aggies
Bronco Mendenhall Brings the Aggies Back to a Bowl Game
This isn’t one of the boldest predictions, but it has more to do with Bronco Mendenhall’s ability to stop the bleeding quickly. He did it with New Mexico, and now he’s at a program with more resources to get back to winning. Their schedule features plenty of winnable games, so a bowl game feels inevitable for the Aggies.
Wyoming Cowboys
Kaden Anderson Posts Best QB Stats Since Josh Allen
If anything, Wyoming desperately needs the offense to thrive. The defense is going through a big transition, but the offense returns the talent to be exciting. Quarterback Kaden Anderson is talented and now has a full year of experience under his belt. He’ll have plenty of options downfield.
Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg has an NFL future and gives Anderson his most reliable target. Wide receiver Jaylen Sargent is a touchdown threat on any play, and Northwest Missouri State transfer Eric Richardson gives him a great complement. The pieces are there, and Anderson just needs to take a step to make this happen.
Oregon State Beavers
Maalik Murphy Throws for Over 3,000 Yards
While the Maalik Murphy experience at Duke didn’t work out in the end, Oregon State is more than happy to have him on its roster. The Beavers return plenty of talent to make this prediction happen, too.
Trent Walker and Darrius Clemons will lead the charge, and it just comes down to the time needed for everyone to get on the same page. If the Beavers are to exceed expectations this year, Murphy needs to play a huge role.
Washington State Cougars
Jimmy Rogers Wins 8 Games in His First Year with the Cougars
Rogers comes from South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to a 27-3 record during his two seasons. He won one national championship, so the guy knows what it takes to win big games.
While Washington State may not play in a game of that magnitude, the winning culture will still be there. Rogers brings a ton of Jackrabbit players with him, so establishing his culture shouldn’t take long.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
WR Dalton Stroman Breaks Out for a 1,000-Yard Season
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick once said Dalton Stroman reminded him of Randy Moss, and it’s about time that talent produces Moss-level production. Stroman is a vertical threat, and new quarterback AJ Swann should love having that option downfield.
Stroman was stuck in a deep wide receiver room, but he stuck with the Mountaineers through the last two years and through a coaching change. He hopes that the new staff will utilize him more, and the offense should benefit from his emergence as the go-to option.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Jaylen Raynor Throws for 3,000 Yards and 30 Touchdowns
While it’s been a path full of road bumps, Jaylen Raynor keeps showing flashes of his ceiling, and a little more consistency should get him there. With wide receiver Corey Rucker returning, Raynor should be able to achieve that this year.
The Red Wolves are a dark-horse team in the Sun Belt, and Raynor holds the keys to their success in 2025. The offense is stacked with talent, and their star quarterback’s consistent play should lead them there.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
The Single-Season Passing Yards Record Gets Broken
Whether it’s Emmett Brown or MJ Morris, the Coastal Carolina passing attack should be electric this year. Top target Jameson Tucker is back and is set to take another step in his development to help. The Chanticleers also return Cameron Wright and bring in multiple transfers to help, so this offense has a ton of potential this season.
Georgia Southern Eagles
Eagles Challenge for the Sun Belt East Division Title
Once again, the Sun Belt will be a deep conference, and the race for both division titles will be tight. Georgia Southern returns enough talent on both sides of the football to make a run at an East Division title, but they’ll need to navigate a tough conference schedule to do it.
If the offense can thrive as anticipated, the Eagles will have a great chance. The defense must improve, but they return multiple key contributors who should help. Clay Helton has a good thing going, but this season has the chance to be a special one for him.
Georgia State Panthers
Panthers Finish 2-10
I like Dell McGee as a head coach, but there are certain jobs that are tougher than others. Georgia State went 3-9 in his first season with the program, and wins might be harder to come by this year.
The likelihood that they upset Vanderbilt again is pretty low, and the rest of the non-conference play features both Ole Miss and Memphis. They don’t catch many breaks in conference play either, so winning more than two games will be tough.
James Madison Dukes
Dukes Make the College Football Playoff
If Alonza Barnett III plays, then this is possible. If not, this is still a good team that can make a run at a conference title. While Barnett recovers from offseason surgery, Matthew Sluka and Camden Coleman battle it out for the starting quarterback job.
This team has plenty of talent to still challenge for a playoff spot, but Barnett brings a unique skill set to the table that the other two don’t. They play Louisville and Liberty early in the season, and Barnett gives them the best chance to win those games.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Ragin’ Cajuns Finish 10-2
Louisiana’s done a nice job of moving on from Billy Napier, and Michael Desormeaux deserves a ton of credit. He’s now 23-18 as the head coach, and led the Ragin Cajuns to a 10-4 finish last year. Repeating that success is tough, but his team has plenty of elite talent back to make that happen.
KEEP READING: 2025 College Football Head Coach Rankings — Kirby Smart Remains King But Who Leads the Chasing Pack?
Jordan Lawson, Cameron Whitfield, and Tyree Skipper are back to lead the defense, and the offense will feature LSU transfer Walker Howard. If Howard can steady the offense quickly, this team shouldn’t have a problem winning again this year.
Marshall Thundering Herd
Thundering Herd Misses a Bowl Game
Tony Gibson walks into a tough situation. While he was more than deserving of a head coaching opportunity, he inherits a program that’s taking a huge step back. Coming off of a 10-win season, that might be tough to navigate for the fanbase.
Charles Huff’s departure was strange, and the Thundering Herd roster took a massive hit when he was shown the door. Gibson quickly got acquainted with the transfer portal, but I’m not sure there’s enough talent on the roster to make a bowl game yet.
Old Dominion Monarchs
Monarchs Finish With a Top 50 Defense
Jason Henderson returns to a linebacker room that features Koa Naotala, Marion Thompson, and Jahleel Culbreath. That’s a career 741 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks returning to the Monarchs defense. Oh, and they didn’t see a mass exodus on this side of the ball this year.
Henderson is a tackling machine, but he missed nearly the entire 2024 season. He’s back, and his absence helped create much-needed depth at the position. With the amount of talent returning, the Monarchs should be solid defensively and get back to a bowl game after coming up short last year.
South Alabama Jaguars
QB Bishop Davenport Produces over 3,500 Total Yards
With QB Gio Lopez off to North Carolina, Major Applewhite turns the keys to the offense to his former backup, Bishop Davenport. The redshirt junior played plenty in the offense last year, but now it’s his show to run. With what we saw last year, he should be set for a breakout season in 2025.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
Golden Eagles Challenge for a Sun Belt West Division Title
The optimist in me wants to say they’ll be in the Sun Belt Championship Game, but there’s still plenty of work to do before that happens. The Golden Eagles will be a much better team now that Charles Huff takes over, but the roster reconstruction will need time.
With reigning Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Braylon Braxton running the offense, they’ll actually have a pulse. Huff brought 21 players from Marshall with him, which should help elevate the culture at his new school and make winning more possible.
Texas State Bobcats
Bobcats Play Multiple Quarterbacks All Year
GJ Kinne knows how to coach offense, but this year will test his abilities in a different way. He brought in multiple transfer quarterbacks with Auburn’s Holden Geriner, Pitt’s Nate Yarnell, and SMU’s Keldric Luster to run the offense, and he might use all three of them.
While one of them more than likely separates themself, it might take some time before that happens. Kinne’s also an innovative mind, so he might view multiple quarterbacks as a wrinkle to test opposing teams this year.
Troy Trojans
Trojans Finish 2-10
Jon Sumrall did great things for Troy, but that momentum is quickly coming to a halt. Gerad Parker wasn’t the most exciting hire, and a 4-8 inaugural season didn’t do much to help. The Trojans are in a tough spot, and the conference around them isn’t slowing down anytime soon either.
UL-Monroe Warhawks
Warhawks Make a Bowl
Last year, the Warhawks surprised everyone with a 5-1 start, but six consecutive losses kept them out of a bowl game. Bryant Vincent deserves a ton of credit for his work at the school, and making a bowl game this year should be the goal.
The schedule is slightly tougher than last year, but the Warhawks are motivated after coming so close to the postseason in 2024. It will be tougher without the element of surprise, but this program believes they can make it happen this year.
Thank you for that comment! These have been corrected
John kay is the hc at rice, tom herman isnt at fau
*john kay isnt the hc at rice its scott abell