Struggling Big-Name CFB Teams That Need to Bounce Back in 2025
As much as college football can be cyclical, any prolonged stretch of disappointing seasons is never fun to handle.
The longer that stretch lasts, the more discouraging it becomes, too.
In nearly every offseason, though, teams—and their fans—have renewed hope for a resurgent year.
That's the focus in the following sections, which include six schools that have managed no better than a seven-win record throughout each of the last three seasons—or unfortunately, in some cases, longer.
Auburn Tigers
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The final season of the Gus Malzahn era, 2020, ended with a 6-5 record. Since then, Auburn finished 6-7 and 5-7 during Bryan Harsin's short tenure with identical records in Hugh Freeze's first two years.
Because of what Freeze inherited, that's not a surprise.
Now, though, it's time for Freeze's program to make noticeable progress.
Backed by what should be a strong defense, Auburn needs its new quarterback—whether that's Jackson Arnold or Ashton Daniels—to elevate a transfer-infused unit. The offense simply wasn't dangerous last season, scoring no more than 21 points in seven of AU's nine games against power-conference teams.
Auburn competing for an SEC crown is wishful thinking, but a positive record in SEC play and eight-plus wins likely would make 2025 feel successful.
Michigan State Spartans
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Back in 2021, Michigan State enjoyed a breakout year and went 11-2. However, the Spartans fell to 5-7 before the 2023 dismissal of head coach Mel Tucker, following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment.
So, similar to Freeze inheriting a tough outlook at Auburn, Jonathan Smith took control of a program that needed to get stabilized first.
Michigan State popped off a 3-0 start last season, but it tumbled to 5-7 with a bunch of non-competitive losses. Throw in that 4-8 campaign in 2022, and the Spartans have now fallen short of a bowl for three straight years.
Smith showed his ability to build at Oregon State, and MSU desperately needs a positive year—even just making a bowl—to spark the program.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Speaking of abilities to build a program, that is Matt Rhule's specialty.
Temple went 2-10 in his first season but finished 10-4 with a trip to the AAC Championship Game during his third year. Baylor stumbled to a 1-11 record in his debut before surging to 11-3 and a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game in Rhule's third season at the helm.
Guess which season this is for Rhule at Nebraska?
No, I won't be predicting a similar level of success. But still, the Cornhuskers—who finished a modest 7-6 in 2024 but at least snapped a seven-year postseason drought—have a promising young quarterback with Dylan Raiola, a decent foundation on defense and a pretty favorable Big Ten slate.
The bare minimum for Nebraska in 2025 is attaining bowl eligibility. All context considered, Huskers fans might not be content to see anything below 8-4.
Stanford Cardinal
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As much as the offseason is a time for optimism, that particular feeling may be fleeting at Stanford these days.
In late March, the school fired head coach Troy Taylor following two investigations into allegations of hostile behavior. In his place, Stanford has brought in former NFL boss Frank Reich to serve as a one-year interim coach.
Reich's task: Keep everything from falling apart.
Barring a truly shocking rise, Stanford—which has posted a 3-9 record in four consecutive seasons—will see its bowl drought extend to seven seasons.
Virginia Tech Hokies
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The bright side is Virginia Tech has reached the postseason in three of the last four seasons. The opposite lens shows the Hokies failing to record more than six regular-season wins in five straight years.
And the latter part is far more significant.
Because of his 16-21 overall record at Tech so far, fourth-year coach Brent Pry is heading into the season as a hot-seat candidate. He didn't walk into a great situation in Blacksburg, but 2025 is really the end of his grace period.
The pressure is on Fry, returning quarterback Kyron Drones and a transfer-fueled roster to have a more competitive year in the ACC.
Wisconsin Badgers
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On paper, Luke Fickell seemed like a slam-dunk hire.
Two years into his tenure, however, Wisconsin fans are waiting for an indication that his success at Cincinnati will be replicated in Madison. After the Badgers went 7-6 in Fickell's debut season, they dropped to 5-7 last year.
Because of that losing record, the program saw an impressive 22-year bowl streak hit an unceremonious conclusion.
Defense is still the backbone of success at U-W, but there's no question the offense must be more effective in 2025. Billy Edwards Jr., the former starting QB at Maryland, is tasked with being that catalyst for the Badgers.
Fickell probably isn't on a particularly hot seat; Wisconsin tends to have a little more patience, relatively speaking.
Don't mistake that for apathy, however. Fickell's results need to change—soon.
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