ESPN Tier ranking

[biggie]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... tiers-2025

Tier 15: Group of 6 with upside (15 teams)
App State
Buffalo
East Carolina
Florida Atlantic
Fresno State
Louisiana
Ohio
North Texas
South Alabama
Texas State
Troy
UConn
South Florida
UTSA
Western Kentucky

North Texas has been a perennial six-win team, but this could be the Mean Green's chance to make a big leap up the standings. They check-in only one spot ahead of Liberty with the No. 135th-ranked schedule in the country, miss ECU, USF, Memphis and Tulane in conference play, and after Oct. 1, they go on the road only three times -- to Charlotte, UAB and Rice.

Florida Atlantic was another team snakebit by bad luck last season. As Connelly noted in his analysis of teams facing the worst luck, only one program finished 111th or worse in all three categories he evaluated: FAU. Now add new head coach Zach Kittley and QB transfer Caden Veltkamp and there's a lot to like about the Owls' upside.

South Alabama also had plenty of bad luck in close games. The Jaguars lost to Ohio, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and Texas State -- all teams that won eight or more games -- by a combined 20 points.

[AppState89]

Tier 20: Participation trophies (11 teams)
Charlotte

Why I'm not worried about Charlotte. If I eat crow, I'll eat it.

[Bigdaddyg1]

As soon as it reached the tier with N.C. State and Grayson McCall I stopped. I’m pretty sure he retired and still had no eligibility left.

[Saint3333]

Tier 20: Participation trophies (11 teams)
Charlotte

Why I'm not worried about Charlotte. If I eat crow, I'll eat it.

The leg up they have is a head coach that has proven he can achieve more than the individual talent level he's had. Line has moved down to App -7.5 from -8.5.

[AtlAppMan]

Bad news is Boise is in Tier 4 and we are way down in Tier 15, which is actually the 17th tier as tiers 1 and 10 have a & b.

[MrCraig]

Bad news is Boise is in Tier 4 and we are way down in Tier 15, which is actually the 17th tier as tiers 1 and 10 have a & b.

Yeah... that Boise game might be ugly. However, I think ESPN is pretty much on point about App State in that anything could happen! This won't be the year App vies for the playoff, but they could be a solid bowl team- even a conference champ, or it could be a major rebuilding year. There's just too many question marks. In three weeks we'll have a much better idea and hopefully a win.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Isn’t every year going to be a rebuilding year? If we have to replace a third or more of our roster it’s going to be constant. We are in that group of teams who will be complete unknowns every year unless we figure out how to retain probably 20 key guys for at least two years.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

Isn’t every year going to be a rebuilding year? If we have to replace a third or more of our roster it’s going to be constant. We are in that group of teams who will be complete unknowns every year unless we figure out how to retain probably 20 key guys for at least two years.

This.

They might as well not even preseason rank the G6 anymore, tiers or otherwise. There are just too many variables. To me, the only ranking is NIL budget and you might begin to see some correlation between final season ranking and NIL budget ranking in the G6.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Isn’t every year going to be a rebuilding year? If we have to replace a third or more of our roster it’s going to be constant. We are in that group of teams who will be complete unknowns every year unless we figure out how to retain probably 20 key guys for at least two years.

This.

They might as well not even preseason rank the G6 anymore, tiers or otherwise. There are just too many variables. To me, the only ranking is NIL budget and you might begin to see some correlation between final season ranking and NIL budget ranking in the G6.

At least with pro teams you can kind of speculate how good they might be if they brought in good free agents. At our level we might have 20 dudes transfer in who barely played. Absolutely no idea how they will gel.

[rbarthle17]

Isn’t every year going to be a rebuilding year? If we have to replace a third or more of our roster it’s going to be constant. We are in that group of teams who will be complete unknowns every year unless we figure out how to retain probably 20 key guys for at least two years.

This.

They might as well not even preseason rank the G6 anymore, tiers or otherwise. There are just too many variables. To me, the only ranking is NIL budget and you might begin to see some correlation between final season ranking and NIL budget ranking in the G6.

It's easy, there's a formula. Ranking will be directly related to the number of key position transfers from SEC or Big 10 schools.

[agentpaul001]

Tbh I relish App in the "underdog" role. Our death knell historically has been hype, pre season ratings, and primetime TV. Low expectations + over deliver. I'm concerned AF that the school decided to chase NIL/Transfers when I think the move was going counter and investing in socials/communications program/media but we'll see how it turns out. I think there is a lot to be said about pursuing a coaching staff (analytics aside) that's winning actual football games...against good talent...and over .500.... but we'll see. I honestly think it's a great sign that on socials at least the players/staff aren't "TALKING" about winning, but actually putting in the hard work to get there. Something along the line of talk less and do more... rankings are a feel good, but nothing beats a smug ESPN announcer telecasting as App rolls over "P5 Talent"...