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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Big Ten football power rankings for 2025 season, per ESPN's FPI
Big Ten football power rankings for 2025 season, per ESPN's FPI Another notable college football offseason domino fell earlier this week when ESPN released its updated Football Power Index for the upcoming season. When compared to ESPN's SP+ and other rating metrics, FPI's release continues to develop a comprehensive look at the upcoming season, judging each team based on its perceived quality. As a reminder, here is how ESPN describes the metric's methodology. The Football Power Index (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. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete. More specifically, June 2's FPI release gives us yet another projection of the 2025 Big Ten season, complete with each team's percent chance to win the conference and/or reach the College Football Playoff. Here is that projection, which is notably skeptical of one consensus Cinderella contender. 18. Purdue Boilermakers FPI Rating: -6.9 (No. 92 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 3.2 - 8.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 0.0 Purdue has a measured outlook entering 2025. Given the circumstances of the full roster and program overhaul after a 1-11 2024 season, even a three-win season would mark a step in the right direction. Barry Odom excelled at UNLV. He now faces a tough situation in West Lafayette. 17. Northwestern Wildcats FPI Rating: -3.6 (No. 74 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 4.1 - 7.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 0.0 Northwestern and Purdue mark the Big Ten's clear bottom tier entering 2025. The Wildcats even did well to win four games last year, given a near Football Bowl Subdivision-worst offense (No. 128 of 134) and below-average defense (No. 79 of 134). 2025 is a critical year for head coach David Braun to prove that 2023's 8-5 output was not an anomaly. 16. Maryland Terrapins FPI Rating: 1.9 (No. 61 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.9 - 6.1 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.2 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.3 Maryland should be in striking range of a bowl trip in 2025, according to FPI. A postseason bid would stabilize a program that appears to be regressing after a 4-8 finish in 2024. Toss-up games against Rutgers and Michigan State could decide that bowl fate. 15. Michigan State Spartans FPI Rating: 2.3 (No. 59 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.2 - 6.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.0 Michigan State should have a much higher ceiling than a top-60 team in the country, especially given the potential of underclassman quarterback Aidan Chiles. Spartans fans will be on the edge of their seats entering the year, however, given the team's 5-7 finish in 2024 and current recruiting struggles. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire 14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights FPI Rating: 3.5 (No. 55 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.8 - 6.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.7 Rutgers' streak of two consecutive bowl trips and three in four years could come to an end in 2025. The team was forced to rebuild most of its defense after a senior-heavy group moved on after the 2024 season. With quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis leading a low-risk, low-reward offense, a 6-6 finish would be a major win. 13. UCLA Bruins FPI Rating: 4.6 (No. 47 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.4 - 6.6 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.9 UCLA may be a bit underrated by FPI. After the team showed well against a gauntlet schedule in 2024, head coach DeShaun Foster and his staff got a full offseason of roster movement, headlined by the addition of former Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Foster had to scramble after taking over for Chip Kelly in February of last year. More continuity and a manageable schedule could lead to a breakthrough season. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire 12. Illinois Fighting Illini FPI Rating: 5.0 (No. 44 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.8 - 5.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.6 % Chance to Make CFP: 3.8 This is one spot where FPI significantly differs from other rankings and preseason projections. Illinois is a popular College Football Playoff pick. The team returns most of a group that finished 2024 with double-digit wins, plus is set to face a manageable schedule. All signs point toward a much better finish than mid-40s nationally and No. 13 in the Big Ten. 11. Minnesota Golden Gophers FPI Rating: 5.2 (No. 43 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.9 - 5.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.3 % Chance to Make CFP: 4.3 A 7-5 finish and mid-40s ranking would be more of the same for Minnesota. The program has made a bowl game in each of the last six non-COVID seasons. At the same time, it has surpassed 10 wins only once during that time (11 wins in 2019). Unless redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey breaks out unexpectedly, seven or eight wins seem likely. 10. Iowa Hawkeyes FPI Rating: 6.3 (No. 39 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.2 - 5.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.6 % Chance to Make CFP: 3.7 The Big Ten impressively boasts 10 teams within the nation's top 40. Iowa is a write-in for that category every year, regardless of the team's specific makeup. It put all its chips into Football Championship Subdivision transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski this offseason. If he hits, the Hawkeyes could return to a 10-win mark. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 9. Wisconsin Badgers FPI Rating: 6.3 (No. 38 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.6 - 6.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.4 % Chance to Make CFP: 2.6 This is where team quality shouldn't be confused with record and resume. Wisconsin could very well be a better team than it's been over the last two years under Luke Fickell. But given a schedule that ranks among the toughest in the sport, a bowl trip would feel like a major win. 8. Indiana Hoosiers FPI Rating: 8.3 (No. 31 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.5 - 4.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.9 % Chance to Make CFP: 8.9 File FPI into the group of metrics that are predicting a bit of a regression from Indiana in 2025. Most agree that the Hoosiers' 11-win 2024 season will be tough to replicate, given the team's schedule alone. The better question is, how high is Indiana's floor under Curt Cignetti? Another nine-win season could seriously change how we view the program. 7. Washington Huskies FPI Rating: 8.8 (No. 27 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.1 - 4.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.8 % Chance to Make CFP: 8.1 Washington is a team to watch in 2025. Like UCLA, the Huskies will benefit from a full year of roster improvement and overall continuity. Washington head coach Jedd Fisch was thrust into a challenging situation last offseason after Kalen DeBoer left for the Alabama job. His team then showed significant promise through the 2024 campaign. Young quarterback Demond Williams Jr. should headline lists of breakout candidates for 2025. Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire 6. Nebraska Cornhuskers FPI Rating: 9.3 (No. 25 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.5 - 4.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 1.5 % Chance to Make CFP: 10.3 It isn't a proper college football offseason without high expectations for Nebraska. The team returns 61% of production from a 2024 group that broke the program's extended bowl drought. Its 2025 chances rest on the arm of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola, who will need to live up to his five-star billing. More than a 10% chance to reach the CFP feels a bit steep. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 5. USC Trojans FPI Rating: 13.0 (No. 19 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 8.3 - 3.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 4.2 % Chance to Make CFP: 21.0 USC is a high-ceiling, low-floor team in 2025. If its defense takes a major step forward in year two under top coordinator D'Anton Lynn, and if Lincoln Riley develops another NFL passer, the team could contend for the conference. As we saw in 2024, it could also very well be on the fringe of bowl eligibility. Given the program's recent momentum, more signs point to the former. Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire 4. Michigan Wolverines FPI Rating: 14.6 (No. 17 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 8.4 - 3.7 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 6.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 25.3 Michigan is in a tier by itself. It's a bona fide CFP and conference title contender, though it falls far below the conference's top three teams. Quarterback play will decide the Wolverines' fate, especially if five-star freshman Bryce Underwood is under center. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire 3. Oregon Ducks FPI Rating: 20.5 (No. 6 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.0 - 2.4 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 19.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 57.5 Oregon will have a tough time repeating as Big Ten champion. The team lost numerous top contributors from its stellar 2024 team. It now returns just 43% of production (No. 104 in the nation). While the number does not automatically mean a regression, it makes Oregon a team to monitor as the season continues. The Ducks will still be a CFP contender, but a national title run may be out of the picture. Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire 2. Penn State Nittany Lions FPI Rating: 21.5 (No. 5 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.2 - 2.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 25.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 63.8 Penn State is the second in the projected three-team race for the conference. Returning stars QB Drew Allar and RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen lead that projection, as does the program's terrific history on defense. Penn State finally broke through last season. 2025 could see an even further step forward. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 1. Ohio State Buckeyes FPI Rating: 23.8 (No. 4 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.4 - 2.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 40.3 % Chance to Make CFP: 70.6 While Ohio State returns just 48% of production from its 2024 team that won the national title, it's hard to expect the program to regress significantly. All-world WR Jeremiah Smith and star S Caleb Downs anchor an offensive and defensive unit, respectively, that each projects among the conference's best. Ohio State is currently the class of the sport, so it deserves the benefit of the doubt at positions facing turnover. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FAMU football to open 2025 season with ESPN games vs Howard, FAU
Florida A&M football will begin its 2025 season with two nationally-televised games. The Rattlers' Week 1 game versus Howard in the Orange Blossom Classic will be on ESPNU, with a start time scheduled for 4 p.m. at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. Advertisement This year's Orange Blossom Classic marks FAMU's return to the historic HBCU football game after the Rattlers opted out of game in 2024. The Rattlers last played in the Orange Blossom Classic in 2023, beating the Jackson State Tigers, 28-10. North Carolina Central and Alabama State played in the 2024 Orange Blossom Classic. The FAMU versus Howard Orange Blossom Classic matchup is a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl, the de facto Black College National Championship game. FAMU thrillingly outlasted Howard 30-26. The Orange Blossom Classic is also a homecoming for second-year FAMU head football coach James Colzie III, a Miami native. Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers offensive lineman Kardell Thomas (58) talks to Howard Bison defensive lineman Jamel Stewart (96) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports In Week 2, FAMU travels to Boca Raton to face Football Bowl Subdivision team Florida Atlantic Owls on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. That game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and will be carried on ESPN Plus. Advertisement The Rattlers and Owls have only met once, which ended in FAU trouncing FAMU 38-8 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2004. The Rattlers will play 12 regular season games in 2025 after finishing 7-5 last year. Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Garden's Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 6 p.m. Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC) Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― at Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m. Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming) Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC) Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game (If Necessary) All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football scheduled for ESPN games vs Howard, Florida Atlantic
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Pac-12 lands CBS, ESPN and The CW to broadcast Oregon State and Wazzu's 2025 home games
The rebuilding Pac-12 Conference announced Friday that the 13 home games for Oregon State and Washington State in 2025 will be broadcast across a mix of three networks: CBS, ESPN and The CW. It's the next step in a multi-step process to reconstruct the league. Although the deal is only for 2025 and nothing further has been finalized, the announcement indicates advanced talks with the same networks for the larger TV rights package covering 2026 and beyond, when the Pac-12 will add five Mountain West schools and at least one more school yet to be determined. Commissioner Teresa Gould has previously said the conference was looking for long-term partners in its 2025 talks. Advertisement 'Having Pac-12 football featured across three leading broadcasters in CBS, The CW and ESPN in 2025 will provide tremendous exposure to showcase Oregon State, Washington State and our brand in the Pac-12's final season before expansion,' Gould said in a statement. 'We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The CW, to welcome a new partner in CBS Sports and to see a return of Pac-12 football on ESPN.' Two games in 2025 will be on the main CBS channel: Washington at Washington State on Sept. 20 and Oregon State vs. Washington State in Corvallis, Ore., on Nov. 1. Two games will be on the main ESPN channel: Cal at Oregon State on Aug. 30 and Houston at Oregon State on Friday, Sept. 26. The remaining nine games will air on The CW, which broadcast 11 Oregon State and Washington State games last season (Fox had the other two). The Oregon State-Washington State game drew the largest audience on The CW, which also airs ACC games. Both Oregon State and Washington State worked quickly to cobble together 2025 football schedules after deciding last summer not to renew the 2024 football scheduling agreement with the Mountain West. The agreement provided the schools a scheduling lifeline after the Pac-12's collapse in 2023 saw 10 members depart for other leagues. Washington State plays seven home games in 2025, while Oregon State plays six. The pair will play each other twice in November. It won't be the first double-dip in college football; some independent programs have played twice in the same season to fill out each other's schedules. The Pac-12 in 2026 is set to add Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State from the Mountain West, as well as Gonzaga from the West Coast Conference as a non-football school. The Pac-12 still must add at least one more football-playing full member to remain a Football Bowl Subdivision conference following the NCAA's two-year grace period below eight full members. Advertisement Its attempts last fall to woo American Athletic Conference schools Memphis, Tulane, USF and UTSA fell short. The Pac-12 could only pitch projections related to its TV deal, and the AAC has a deal with ESPN through the early 2030s with a large conference buyout. With advanced talks on the next TV contract, the Pac-12 will have more firm numbers to take to potential targets, which could also include Texas State, UNLV and others. Oregon State went 5-7 in its first season under head coach Trent Bray last fall but beat the Cougars. Washington State is entering its first season under head coach Jimmy Rogers, who came from South Dakota State to replace Jake Dickert, now the head coach at Wake Forest.
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
All Cam Ward needed ‘was a chance.' Now, he will likely be the top pick in the NFL Draft
Cam Ward spent his entire career betting on himself when there were so many reasons to doubt what could happen. He was a zero-star recruit out of high school. He had no offers at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. He had to forge his own path. 'There was one point where I didn't have one camera looking at me,' Ward said. 'Now the whole world is looking at me.' Confidence in oneself can do wonders, and Ward certainly doesn't lack confidence. He knew he was talented. He knew he could succeed on the football field, first at the college level and then hopefully in the NFL. He knew there was something inside him that could be unleashed. 'All I needed,' Ward said, 'was a chance.' He got that chance, first at FCS-level Incarnate Word, then Washington State and then ultimately the University of Miami. He set records at every stop. He turned heads. He left a lasting impression. And on Thursday, when the 2025 NFL Draft begins in Green Bay Wisconsin, Ward will get his next chance as he is most likely going to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. He would be just the third Hurricanes player all-time to be selected No. 1 overall after quarterback Vinny Testaverde to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987 and defensive tackle Russell Maryland to the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. It will be Ward's latest ascent in a career full of ascension. But as the stage got bigger and the lights got brighter, Ward never let it faze him. 'It just goes back to me not forgetting where I came from,' Ward said. 'I carry myself in a certain type of way. All I want to do is play football and be with my teammates. So long as I be a good person, it'll work out the long run.' Before Ward got to this point, before his record-setting season with the Miami Hurricanes that put him firmly on the NFL's map, he had to establish that he can be an elite quarterback. He ran a Wing-T offense in high school, so he didn't have many opportunities to showcase his arm strength or accuracy. He got that first true chance at Incarnate Word under coach Eric Morris. Ward completed 63 percent of his passes for 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in two seasons there begin his college career. And while Ward appreciated the jumpstart that gave him, he knew that couldn't be his only stop. 'A lot of people won't take a No. 1 overall player from the FCS,' Ward said. 'It comes from the Power 5 level.' That success presented him with an opportunity to transfer to Washington State and see how he would fair against Power 5 competition. In two years with the Cougars, Ward completed 63% of his passes for another 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns against 16 interceptions. More success as the difficulty increased, but there was still something more to achieve. So instead of declaring for the NFL Draft last season, he transferred to Miami for one final chance to raise his draft stock. All he did was set the Hurricanes' single-season school records for completions (305), passing yards (4,313), passing touchdowns (39) and completion percentage (67.2%) en route to being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. 'We were grateful just to have Cam,' Hurricanes wide receiver Jacolby George said. 'We knew it was going to be completely different from last year. That's why we worked so hard. We knew we had to put on a show for everybody.' He set the career Division I record with 158 touchdown passes. His 18,189 passing yards combined across three schools is third most in NCAA history behind only Case Keenum and Dillon Gabriel. 'He's one of one,' Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said. On Thursday, he will likely hear his name called 1-1. 'You'd be crazy not to,' George said. More Hurricanes in NFL Draft Beyond Ward, the Hurricanes have multiple players who could hear their names called over the course of the three-day draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday. Among the group: Tight end Elijah Arroyo; running back Damien Martinez; wide receivers Xavier Restrepo, Sam Brown and George; offensive linemen Jalen Rivers and Zach Carpenter; defensive linemen Tyler Baron and Simeon Barrow; linebacker Francisco Mauigoa; and kicker Andres Borregales.
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football offers BYU transfer wide receiver, college football's top kick returner
Wisconsin football offers BYU transfer wide receiver, college football's top kick returner Wisconsin football extended an offer to BYU transfer wide receiver Keelan Marion on Sunday. Marion is in the portal after two seasons with the Cougars. That stint followed three campaigns at UConn, which he originally joined as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Since reentering the portal, the wide receiver has also shared offers from SMU, Miami, Arizona State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida State, Baylor, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Colorado and Syracuse. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native began his college career with a stellar 28-catch, 474-yard (team-high), five-touchdown (team-high) redshirt freshman season at UConn in 2021. He then missed most of the 2022 season with a broken collarbone, finishing with just four receptions, 89 yards and one score. Marion entered the portal after the 2022 campaign. After initially committing to East Carolina during the 2023 spring window, the veteran receiver walked back that pledge and eventually transferred to BYU. Marion went on to have two extremely productive seasons with the Cougars. His 2023 campaign included 20 receptions, 216 receiving yards, nine carries, 40 rushing yards and three rushing scores. He was also the team's starting kick-returner, with 393 total return yards on 19 attempts. 2024 then became a career-best season, as he tallied 24 catches, 346 receiving yards, 21 carries, 96 rushing yards and three total touchdowns on offense, plus 18 kickoff returns, 472 return yards and a Football Bowl Subdivision-best 26.2 yards per return and two return touchdowns on special teams. The 6-foot, 195-pound wide receiver is in the portal with a final season of eligibility remaining. All indications are that he's a popular prospect at this late stage of the offseason. Wisconsin is looking to bolster its wide receiver group after Mark Hamper, a winter transfer addition, and veteran Quincy Burroughs each entered the portal. The team is set in the starting lineup with Vinny Anthony and Jayden Ballard on the outside and speedster Trech Kekahuna in the slot. Marion would provide an intriguing offensive threat, whether on the boundary, in the backfield, or in the return game. The Badgers have minor question marks at both returner positions, with Anthony (kickoff) and Kekahuna (punt) as the current projected starters. Marion's potential addition would provide a clear answer on kickoff return, as he was arguably college football's best at the position last season. Marion is one of Wisconsin's several reported transfer interests at wide receiver, along with Quaron Adams (South Dakota) and Karmello English (West Georgia). Of the three, Wisconsin will likely face the most competition for the former BYU Cougar and top return threat. For more on Wisconsin's spring transfer movement and remaining needs, bookmark our 2025 spring window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
