2025 College Football Preview: Independents & PAC 2
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Last year, I didn’t do a conference preview for the two remaining PAC 12 teams, and that just felt wrong.
I also have never previewed the Independents, which also feels wrong.
So why don’t we?
This will be different than doing tiers, because there’s only four teams.
So let’s just talk about the good and the question mark for each team.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Good
Notre Dame is going to have a great defense, and great offensive line, and a great running game.
That’s what they do.
Marcus Freeman had them in the title game last season, and should have them as contenders once again.
The Question
What does the quarterback play look like?
Last season, Notre Dame had Riley Leonard, who was huge in helping Notre Dame control the ground game.
Now, Leonard is gone, and the likely quarterback is going to be CJ Carr.
He won’t need to be Heisman level with how good the running game is, but if Notre Dame wants to compete for a championship again, he has to be good.
UConn Huskies
The Good
This program seemed dead in the water until Jim Mora Jr turned up, and since he did, the Huskies have gone bowling two of the last three seasons.
Hell, they won 9 games last year.
Mora has done a great job in a short time for a program that won 10 total games in the 5 seasons before him.
The Question
What does the House settlement mean for UConn?
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to a 10 year settlement which allows colleges to pay their student athletes.
Part of that settlement is revenue sharing.
And UConn, if you weren’t aware, loves themselves some college basketball.
With the majority of UConn’s money going to men’s and women’s CBB, where does that leave the football program?
Are they just destined for mediocrity going forward? Or, worse, back to the basement?
Mora, if he stays, is going to have his hands cut out for him.
Oregon State Beavers
The Good
Despite getting absolutely demolished in the transfer portal last year due to basically being left without a coach or a conference, Oregon State’s offense was pretty good and the Beavers went 5-7.
Hey, it could have been a lot worse.
And while the defense was awful, former defensive coordinator now head coach Trent Bray should have that unit playing a lot better this season.
And if he does, Oregon State should find themselves back in a bowl game.
The Question
What if he doesn’t turn it around?
Oregon State is no longer in a power conference, and, even though the PAC-12 is trying to revitalize the conference next year, they won’t be in one for the foreseeable future.
Washington State Cougars
The Good
After Jake Dickert, who made a big fuss about fighting for Washington State after they were kicked to the curb, kicked Washington State to the curb by leaving for Wake Forest, Wazzu brought in former South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers, who is damn good at his job.
Rogers brought a TON of his former Jackrabbits with him to Pullman, in a hope that they can seamlessly transition to FBS level of play.
And if they do, they’ll be totally fine.
The Question
The question is the same as Oregon State’s.
What if it doesn’t work out?
In an era where cash is king, with Oregon State and Washington State get left behind and forgotten about as middling G5 programs?
I really hope not. They deserve better.
A lot better.
