College Football Team Overviews

Team Overviews

Nevada Wolf Pack

Last season: 0-7 Mountain West (12th), 3-10.
Coach: Jeff Choate, second season.
Last conference title: 2010 (WAC).
Last bowl appearance: 2021.
Returning starters: 6 (four offense, two defense).
Player to watch: WR Marcus Bellon.

FIU Panthers

Last season: 3-5 Conference USA (tied for sixth), 4-8.
Coach: Willie Simmons, first season.
Last conference title: 2010 (Sun Belt).
Last bowl appearance: 2019.
Returning starters: 6 (three offense, three defense).
Player to watch: RB Kejon Owens.

Villanova Wildcats

Last season: 6-2 Colonial Athletic Association (fourth), 10-4.
Coach: Mark Ferrante, ninth season, 57-33.
Last conference title: 2023 (CAA).
Last time didn’t make FCS playoffs: 2022.
Returning starters: 13 (seven offense, six defense).
Player to watch: QB Connor Watkins.

Oregon Ducks

Last season: 9-0 Big Ten (first), 13-1.
Coach: Dan Lanning, fourth season, 35-6.
Last conference title: 2024.
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2016.
Returning starters: 15 (eight offense, six defense, kicker).
Player to watch: RB Makhi Hughes.

UCLA Bruins

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 5-7.
Coach: DeShaun Foster, second season.
Last conference title: 1995 (Pac-10).
Last bowl appearance: 2023.
Returning starters: 11 (five offense, six defense).
Player to watch: QB Nico Iamaleava.

Northwestern Wildcats

Last season: 2-7 Big Ten (16th), 4-8.
Coach: David Braun, third season, 12-13.
Last conference title: 2000.
Last bowl appearance: 2023.
Returning starters: 11 (three offense, six defense, kicker, punter).
Player to watch: QB Preston Stone.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last season: 6-3 Big Ten (tied for fifth), 8-5.
Coach: Kirk Ferentz, 27th year, 204-124.
Last conference title: 2004.
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2020.
Returning starters: 12 (five offense, five defense, kicker, punter).
Player to watch: QB Mark Gronowski.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Last season: 7-2 Big Ten (fourth), 14-2.
Coach: Ryan Day, seventh season, 70-10.
Last conference title: 2020.
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2012.
Returning starters: 10 (five offense, three defense, kicker, punter).
Player to watch: WR Jeremiah Smith.

Indiana Hoosiers

Last season: 8-1 Big Ten (tied for second), 11-2.
Coach: Curt Cignetti, second season.
Last conference title: 1967.
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2023.
Returning starters: 9 (four offense, four defense, kicker).
Player to watch: QB Fernando Mendoza.

Michigan State Spartans

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 5-7.
Coach: Jonathan Smith, second season.
Last conference title: 2015.
Last bowl appearance: 2021.
Returning starters: 9 (four offense, four defense, punter).
Player to watch: TE Jack Velling.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 7-6.
Coach: Matt Rhule, third season, 12-13.
Last conference title: 1999 (Big 12).
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2023.
Returning starters: 8 (four offense, four defense).
Player to watch: QB Dylan Raiola.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last season: 4-5 Big Ten (10th), 7-6.
Coach: Greg Schiano, 17th season, 94-101.
Last conference title: 2012 (Big East).
Last time didn’t go bowling: 2022.
Returning starters: 12 (seven offense, three defense, kicker, punter).
Player to watch: LB Dariel Djabome.