The Athletic: Ranking 136 college football teams entering 2025, from Penn State to Kent State | Page 4 | The Boneyard

The Athletic: Ranking 136 college football teams entering 2025, from Penn State to Kent State

Kolumbo said:
No update? I know you said you are away for 2 weeks

UConn up to the Top 10 in G6. I think Navy, SDSU, UConn should be 6-8

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It's so tempting to think about what might have been without the three OT losses.

But I like steady growth over a lightning bolt year where we go undefeated and make the playoff unprepared to face the top 10 team against which we'd be slotted. We don't need a replay of the Fiesta Bowl being used to denigrate the progress being made.

Let's win out and put together another good team next year and go in with a higher preseason rating and go from there.
 
Scrutineer said:
It's so tempting to think about what might have been without the three OT losses.

But I like steady growth over a lightning bolt year where we go undefeated and make the playoff unprepared to face the top 10 team against which we'd be slotted. We don't need a replay of the Fiesta Bowl being used to denigrate the progress being made.

Let's win out and put together another good team next year and go in with a higher preseason rating and go from there.
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You can’t calculate how immensely valuable being 10-0 would be right now.
 
huskymedic said:


“UConn is up to No. 45 and ahead of Clemson because the Huskies beat Duke, which Clemson didn’t, and UConn had a closer loss to (healthy) Syracuse than Clemson did.”
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If my math is correct, there are 32 P4 ranked lower than UConn in this weeks 1-136 ranking. In other words, UConn is playing like a middle of the pack P4 team. And doing it with a bunch less re$ource$.

In other words, UConn is plug and play ready to be a competitive team in the P4 conferences. Probably not going to go 9-0 in a P4 but also not going to go 0-9.
 
Personally, I think the more modest computer rankings are more in line with reality than some of these human rankings. Does Clemson (or other P-4 teams close to us in the Athletic's rankings) have two losses anywhere near as bad as Rice and Delaware? But no question -- if you only take our 3 games against P-4 opponents, and ignore our 6-2 record against crap, then the human rankings make some sense.

Don't get me wrong -- I'll take being overrated for once. I just think we have further to go to be competitive with the Top 50 over the course of a season than these rankings would have you believe.
 
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Chin Diesel said:
If my math is correct, there are 32 P4 ranked lower than UConn in this weeks 1-136 ranking. In other words, UConn is playing like a middle of the pack P4 team. And doing it with a bunch less re$ource$.

In other words, UConn is plug and play ready to be a competitive team in the P4 conferences. Probably not going to go 9-0 in a P4 but also not going to go 0-9.
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UConn is ranked ahead of Clemson and FSU. The ACC can let them go now, collect a hefty exit fee and replace them with a superior program.
 
I don't believe we're actually a top 50 FBS program just yet, but to be put in at 45 and to get an AP top 25 vote, even just one, is just... wow.
Even if it's not accurate, it still counts because the same logic would apply to any team on the list.

So, I take the win!
#45... wow wow wow.
 
possibly off topic, but i do wonder if with our progress to date, we're given more grace to get into a P4 than the other American teams that made the jump. (eg. SMU, houston, UCF, Cincy)

they either needed wads of cash or a cinderella football season, neither of which we have (yet).
But I am still hoping we have the ace none of them had (bball) that allows us in WITHOUT the need for a magical season or paying to get in.
 
Jetskies said:
possibly off topic, but i do wonder if with our progress to date, we're given more grace to get into a P4 than the other American teams that made the jump. (eg. SMU, houston, UCF, Cincy)

they either needed wads of cash or a cinderella football season, neither of which we have (yet).
But I am still hoping we have the ace none of them had (bball) that allows us in WITHOUT the need for a magical season or paying to get in.
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We will know in 5 years.
 
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Just to put the point I'm about to make into perspective: Memphis is 8-3. Their best win is Arkansas or USF, comparable to Duke. Their worst loss is UAB, comparable to if not worse than Delaware. They also have a loss to Tulane, which is comparable to losing to a healthy Cuse, and ECU. ECU is pretty good this year, so I won't make the argument it is comparable to losing to Rice. But while Memphis probably has one more "good win" I think UConn and Memphis are comparable programs based on the on field results this year. Is anyone making the argument Memphis isn't top 50? They've spent multiple weeks in the top 25 this year.

I genuinely think we are a top 50 team, even with the losses to Rice and Delaware. We obviously should have won those games and I understand people dinging us for losing them. But in my eyes, college football is loaded with teams losing games they shouldn't, every single week of every single season. It's a physical sport being played by dudes who, legally speaking, are barely adults. There are going to be down weeks. We get dinged harder when we lose because we aren't in a conference and have to play worse teams, it is what it is. I'm not saying arguments against us as a top 50 team don't have merit, they do. But I think solely looking at this from a standpoint of wins and losses is short-sighted. It doesn't tell the whole story.

We have one of the top scoring offenses in the nation. We have the most productive WR in FBS, our running back is 8th in FBS in rushing yards, our QB is 6th in passing yardage and was getting Heisman recognition after 10 games. Our defense has missed it's fair share of tackles and had its WTF moments, but is still one of the best in FBS at getting sacks and QB pressures. Those losses to Rice, Delaware and Cuse stung so much precisely because we all know this is a top 50 team.
 
Jetskies said:
possibly off topic, but i do wonder if with our progress to date, we're given more grace to get into a P4 than the other American teams that made the jump. (eg. SMU, houston, UCF, Cincy)

they either needed wads of cash or a cinderella football season, neither of which we have (yet).
But I am still hoping we have the ace none of them had (bball) that allows us in WITHOUT the need for a magical season or paying to get in.
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They all fielded successful teams in the best G conference of the time. Also were competitive with the P conference teams on their schedule. While good, two consecutive winning seasons and being largely competitive with P4 teams on the schedule does not yet define a trend. Need winning seasons going forward.
 
Nameless said:
Just to put the point I'm about to make into perspective: Memphis is 8-3. Their best win is Arkansas or USF, comparable to Duke. Their worst loss is UAB, comparable to if not worse than Delaware. They also have a loss to Tulane, which is comparable to losing to a healthy Cuse, and ECU. ECU is pretty good this year, so I won't make the argument it is comparable to losing to Rice. But while Memphis probably has one more "good win" I think UConn and Memphis are comparable programs based on the on field results this year. Is anyone making the argument Memphis isn't top 50? They've spent multiple weeks in the top 25 this year.

I genuinely think we are a top 50 team, even with the losses to Rice and Delaware. We obviously should have won those games and I understand people dinging us for losing them. But in my eyes, college football is loaded with teams losing games they shouldn't, every single week of every single season. It's a physical sport being played by dudes who, legally speaking, are barely adults. There are going to be down weeks. We get dinged harder when we lose because we aren't in a conference and have to play worse teams, it is what it is. I'm not saying arguments against us as a top 50 team don't have merit, they do. But I think solely looking at this from a standpoint of wins and losses is short-sighted. It doesn't tell the whole story.

We have one of the top scoring offenses in the nation. We have the most productive WR in FBS, our running back is 8th in FBS in rushing yards, our QB is 6th in passing yardage and was getting Heisman recognition after 10 games. Our defense has missed it's fair share of tackles and had its WTF moments, but is still one of the best in FBS at getting sacks and QB pressures. Those losses to Rice, Delaware and Cuse stung so much precisely because we all know this is a top 50 team.
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YOU ARE 100 PER CENT CORRECT. Being anywhere around number 50 in the country is a great improvement in our program. Lets go out and finish the season with a road win next week!!
 
Jetskies said:
I don't believe we're actually a top 50 FBS program just yet, but to be put in at 45 and to get an AP top 25 vote, even just one, is just... wow.
Even if it's not accurate, it still counts because the same logic would apply to any team on the list.

So, I take the win!
#45... wow wow wow.
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Totally agree. I don't care if it's deserved or not. #45 means something. Even one single, solitary AP vote means something.

It's a huge accomplishment, and I don't care who poo-poos it.
 
Jetskies said:
I don't believe we're actually a top 50 FBS program just yet, but to be put in at 45 and to get an AP top 25 vote, even just one, is just... wow.
Even if it's not accurate, it still counts because the same logic would apply to any team on the list.

So, I take the win!
#45... wow wow wow.
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These are point in time. As of this week, we might be a top 50 team. Check back next week as it will change.
Ranking programs is a bit more complicated and probably has more than just w’s and l’s in a given season.

Is UConn a top 50 program? No.
But it’s a hell of a lot better than it was 5 years ago when we were #120.

I think Top 60-70 programs right now. Key is we’re on an upward trajectory
 
uconnyankee said:
These are point in time. As of this week, we might be a top 50 team. Check back next week as it will change.
Ranking programs is a bit more complicated and probably has more than just w’s and l’s in a given season.

Is UConn a top 50 program? No.
But it’s a hell of a lot better than it was 5 years ago when we were #120.

I think Top 60-70 programs right now. Key is we’re on an upward trajectory
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A brief list of schools UConn is currently ranked ahead of:

Clemson
Florida State
Auburn
Penn State
Boise State
Florida
UCLA

UConn is ahead of 10 ACC teams, 8 B12 teams, 8 B10 teams, and 6 SEC teams.
 
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UConn has earned its place, and the three losses in overtime are why the team is ranked 45th and why the AP has them at 39th. I am happy with it, and the negativity is typical of some on here. Enjoy where UConn has come from, and appreciate the press with perhaps the best college coach ever mentioning UConn just a week ago.

Enjoy the position and this year, with two, maybe three players being mentioned nationally for individual awards, such as the Davey O'Brien, Biletnikoff Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year. This has never happened in the history of UConn.
 
Yes, UConn is a Top 50 program, along with USF, North Texas, JMU, Houston, Tulane . . . SDSU, ECU, Memphis. I take polls at face value. UConn doesn't play a full P4 schedule but them's the breaks. UConn beat bcu which was beating Georgia Tech with 11 seconds left in the game.

UConn needs to find some greatness in the portal and keep moving the chains. We can't afford to step backward and that is why we have to:

Pay Me GIF
 
Jetskies said:
I don't believe we're actually a top 50 FBS program just yet, but to be put in at 45 and to get an AP top 25 vote, even just one, is just... wow.
Even if it's not accurate, it still counts because the same logic would apply to any team on the list.

So, I take the win!
#45... wow wow wow.
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Remember, Power Rankings is where one guy think things stand today. That was a good game against a tricky team in a potential trap situation.
 
He still has UConn at #10. Moved Navy from 11 to 4. Dropped Southern Miss from 7 to 22.

As for rankings, I take them at face value. UConn at 45 sounds good to me.

CBS Sports Rankings for the Top 10 G5
21 JMU
20 North Texas
26 Tulane
31 Navy
44 ECU
37 USF
38 SDSU
71 Jax State
42 Memphis
45 UConn

 
Kolumbo said:
He still has UConn at #10. Moved Navy from 11 to 4. Dropped Southern Miss from 7 to 22.

As for rankings, I take them at face value. UConn at 45 sounds good to me.

CBS Sports Rankings for the Top 10 G5
21 JMU
20 North Texas
26 Tulane
31 Navy
44 ECU
37 USF
38 SDSU
71 Jax State
42 Memphis
45 UConn

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I just don't get the Jax State love. Worse record than us, barely got past Sam Houston, MTSU and UTEP. No win as good as our Duke win. Only thing you can really point to is the H2H with Delaware, where we lost and they won by 13. But they also played Delaware at home.

Both us and Memphis should be ahead of them. Regardless I'm fine with being 9th or 10th, especially since I know we would be competitive with all of the teams ranked ahead of us
 
.-.
There's rankings, which are subjective, and then there's win-loss records, which are less prone to feelings (note I am disregarding strength of schedule). I looked up Massey's rankings and saw something that made my day. You know my fellow Boneyarders, I don't want to gloat, but I surely will. It sure was FRACKING FANTASTIC seeing who occupies the 2nd from the bottom slot when all 136 FBS teams are ranked by wins and losses!!!
1763565842917.png

Interesting seeing Okie St ranked so low at 131th...didn't they think we shouldn't be in the notsoBig12? I guess it's because they are having such a stellar year. v^_^v

For comparison, we are in 28th for now by W-L record:
1763566684621.png

Well, that's all I wanted to say. But it bears repeating, isn't it great seeing our northern neighbor enjoy 2nd place of worst FBS record? Have yourselves a lovely Wednesday.
 
Kolumbo said:
He still has UConn at #10. Moved Navy from 11 to 4. Dropped Southern Miss from 7 to 22.

As for rankings, I take them at face value. UConn at 45 sounds good to me.

CBS Sports Rankings for the Top 10 G5
21 JMU
20 North Texas
26 Tulane
31 Navy
44 ECU
37 USF
38 SDSU
71 Jax State
42 Memphis
45 UConn

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JMU in the playoffs would be amazing.

They just left the CAA in 2021. They were in the FCS final four in 2021. I would love to see them in the FBS playoffs in 2025!
 
ZooCougar said:
You can’t calculate how immensely valuable being 10-0 would be right now.
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That's possible, but it could also be immensely deflating to go from 10-0 to undefeated, make the playoff and get swamped by the 5 or 6 seed.

Not trying to be negative, just not sure we're ready for that level of opponent in what will be a high profile matchup the talking heads will beat on every day for two weeks.
 
Scrutineer said:
That's possible, but it could also be immensely deflating to go from 10-0 to undefeated, make the playoff and get swamped by the 5 or 6 seed.

Not trying to be negative, just not sure we're ready for that level of opponent in what will be a high profile matchup the talking heads will beat on every day for two weeks.
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The positive press alone is worth the beatdown.

But we wouldn’t make the playoffs because we would have to steal an at large bid.

There is nothing “negative” about going 12-0.
 
KryHavok said:
There's rankings, which are subjective, and then there's win-loss records, which are less prone to feelings (note I am disregarding strength of schedule). I looked up Massey's rankings and saw something that made my day. You know my fellow Boneyarders, I don't want to gloat, but I surely will. It sure was FRACKING FANTASTIC seeing who occupies the 2nd from the bottom slot when all 136 FBS teams are ranked by wins and losses!!!
View attachment 113383
Interesting seeing Okie St ranked so low at 131th...didn't they think we shouldn't be in the notsoBig12? I guess it's because they are having such a stellar year. v^_^v

For comparison, we are in 28th for now by W-L record:
View attachment 113385
Well, that's all I wanted to say. But it bears repeating, isn't it great seeing our northern neighbor enjoy 2nd place of worst FBS record? Have yourselves a lovely Wednesday.
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I like that too. I was at a party early in the year talking to a BC guy. He made the usual comments about how UConn was playing pretty well but what about our schedule vs BC being in the ACC. I saw him again last week. Pointed out that we had more ACC wins than BC, beat them head to head then complained to him that playing BC really hurt our strength of schedule.
 
Scrutineer said:
That's possible, but it could also be immensely deflating to go from 10-0 to undefeated, make the playoff and get swamped by the 5 or 6 seed.

Not trying to be negative, just not sure we're ready for that level of opponent in what will be a high profile matchup the talking heads will beat on every day for two weeks.
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An undefeated season, then getting destroyed in the CFP?!?!?
I'd take that 8 days of the week over 9-3 and beating a p4 bottom dweller in the Who-gives-a-shirt Bowl.
 
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