With EA Sports College Football 25 releasing on July 19, fans have dissected all available information and have begun making their own predictions. We won’t know official team and player ratings until Day 1, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate. Here are the 10 Group of Five teams we expect to have the highest overall ratings in EA Sports College Football 25.
Predicting the Top 10 Highest-Rated Group of Five Teams in EA Sports College Football 25
10) Texas State Bobcats
Texas State won its first-ever bowl game under G.J. Kinne last season and ended an eight-year streak of losing records, but they aren’t done yet. With QB Jordan McCloud coming over from James Madison and transfer portal additions bolstering the offensive and defensive lines, expect the Bobcats to continue their ascension and challenge for the Sun Belt title in 2024.
9) Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs put Power Five teams on upset alert every season, and with QB Mikey Keene, RB Malik Sherrod, and an experienced OL returning, Jeff Tedford’s squad shouldn’t be overlooked. There are questions on defense, but if there is one team that plays up to their competition, it’s the Bulldogs.
8) USF Bulls
After going 1-11 in 2022, USF rebounded to 7-6 under first-year head coach Alex Golesh. The Bulls return dangerous dual-threat QB Byrum Brown, 1,000-yard WR Sean Atkins, sixth-year lead RB Nay’Quan Wright, a veteran offensive line, and a majority of the starters on defense.
That’s a recipe for prolonged success and makes USF a top under-the-radar team to use in EA Sports College Football 25.
7) UNLV Rebels
QB Jayden Maiava left for USC, but UNLV will remain in the Mountain West race with OC Brennan Marion calling the plays, and Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka throwing to Ricky White III and Jacob De Jesus. Jai’Den Thomas leads the backfield, Tiger Shanks anchors the offensive line, and several transfers join CB Cameron Oliver on the defensive side of the ball.
6) Tulane Green Wave
Following an 11-win campaign, head coach Willie Fritz and star QB Michael Pratt left Tulane, leaving the program in a state of flux. Yet, the Green Wave landed former Troy head coach and defensive savant Jon Sumrall to take the reigns.
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The front seven is largely the same from last season, as is the offensive line. If transfers at WR, in the secondary, and at QB (Oregon’s Ty Thompson) live up to their potential, Tulaen won’t skip a beat in 2024.
5) Miami (OH) RedHawks
The RedHawks will go as far as a healthy Brett Gabbert can take them. When he is 100%, he is one of the best QBs in the nation, and even with star RB Rashad Amos on to greener pastures, Miami could become the MAC’s first repeat title winner since Northern Illinois in 2011 and 2012.
4) Appalachian State Mountaineers
While Troy, James Madison, and South Alabama are undergoing turnover in the coaching staff, Appalachian State is gearing up for a fifth appearance in seven years of the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game era.
QB Joey Aguilar threw for over 3,700 yards and 33 touchdowns last season and will have three of his top pass catchers back in 2024: WRs Kaedin Robinson and Christan Horn and TE Eli Wilson. And that’s not even mentioning the explosive Kanye Roberts having the backfield to himself with Nate Noel on to Missouri.
3) Memphis Tigers
Fresh off his best campaign yet, Seth Henigan returns for his fourth season as Memphis’ starting signal-caller. Around their prized QB, the Tigers return significant production on both sides of the ball while adding several potential starters through the portal, including RB Mario Anderson, WR Jyaire Shorter, and safeties A.J. Watts and Tahj Ra-El and WR.
2) Boise State Broncos
Despite a late-season coaching change, Boise State won the 2023 Mountain West Championship and has its sights set on more in 2024. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, Group of Five programs have a much better chance of earning a spot in the dance.
To further boost their odds, Spencer Danielson and Co. acquired former five-star QB Malachi Nelson to pair with all-world RB Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos have the raw talent to make ordnance-breaking noise this season — they just need to prove it on the field.
1) Liberty Flames
During its first season as a member of the C-USA, Liberty posted an 8-0 conference record and a 13-0 overall mark. With QB Kaidon Salter back, the Flames should be the favorite to be the top-ranked Group of Five team once again.
The Flames’ schedule is noticeably lacking any power conference opposition, which will give Jamey Chadwell a shot to repeat last year’s undefeated regular season.
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Facing zero Power Five schools certainly helps, but head coach Jamey Chadwell hasn’t endured a losing season since 2019, his first year in the full-time role at Coastal Carolina.
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