College Football's "Original" Bottom 25 Poll, Week 12, 2025



Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, home of University of Arkansas football


Sadly, it appears that Massachusetts is heading towards a winless campaign and will likely be our final #1 while fellow compatriots Boston College may end the year at number 2, setting up a potential all Bay State Relegation Bowl.

Florida, meanwhile, has been teetering on the brink of the B25 all year and has finally fallen in. Penn State FINALLY won after 6 straight losses to get themselves out, entirely. Also winning themselves out but into the DHM are South Alabama,  Tulsa, Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. And shockingly, with NIU and EMU out, there are only two 25ers remaining from the MAC, an unprecedented occurrence for this late in a season.  

As always, enjoy the games...


1) Massachusetts (0-10) The Minute - Men were absolutely dogged by the Northern Illinois Huskies, falling 45-3 at home in a MAC Bummer Bowl on Wednesday. Honestly, all jokes aside, but Massachusetts probably needs to consider a return to the FCS. Since the start of the 2012 season, their combined record is 26-132, meaning they have been in the B25 for as long, probably, as it has existed. The have only been competitive in two games this season, losses to Bryant of the FCS and Buffalo. Two consecutive Tuesday night games close out 2025, first at Ohio and then hosting Bowling Green.

2) Boston College (1-10) The Fleagles played extremely well at home against ACC leaders, Georgia Tech, but eventually fell 36-34. Next up is a BYE weekend before closing out 2025 at Syracuse in a potential ACC Bummer Bowl.

3) Middle Tennessee State (1-9) The Blue Faiders fell 42-26 at Western Kentucky. Next is a visit from former B25 #1 Sam Houston. That makes two chances for an MTSU win to close out 2025 as that game is followed by a visit to New Mexico State.

4) Charlotte (1-9) The 24.5ers were trounced 28-7 at home to UTSA. Next up is a visit to Georgia, who, frankly, have no business playing a team like Charlotte at this time of the year.

5) Georgia State (1-9) The Panters started the game with a 92-yard TD run, but things deteriorated from there, being outscored 30-11 for the remainder of their 30-18 home loss to Marshall. Next is a cross-border visit to take on Troy.

6) Oklahoma State (1-9) The Cowtoys turned the ball over five times in a 14-6 home loss to Kansas State. Next up is a visit to Disney City to take on UCF.

7) Purdue (2-9) The losing streak is now at 9 for the Shotandabeers, who got chugged at Washington, 49-13. Next is a BYE before the season ending Old Oaken Bucket rivalry game against national #2 Indiana.

8) Oregon State (2-9) The Greavers have lost two Bummer Bowls in a row after falling 31-14 at Tulsa. Next up is a BYE week before battling Washington State for a second time this season, whom they beat 10-7 at home on November 2nd. This time the game will be in Pullman.

9) UTEP (2-8) The Minors were hammered at Missouri State, 38-24. Next up is a home Bummer Bowl against New Mexico State.

10) Colorado State (2-8) The Lambs lost a tight game at New Mexico, 20-17. Next is a road date at Boise State.

11) Arkansas (2-8) The Dazerbacks showed up strong (they usually do) but fell late at LSU, 23-22. Next is a drive south to play at nationally ranked Texas.

12) Nevada (2-8) The Wolfpack broke their 7-game losing streak emphatically, crushing new 25ers San Jose State 55-10 at home in an MWC Bummer Bowl. Next up is a trip to Laramie to take on Wyoming.

13) Sam Houston (2-8) What has gotten into the Bearkats? That is two straight wins after taking down Delaware at home, 26-23. Not only have they won two in a row, they are no longer last in Conference USA. Next up is a CUSA Bummer Bowl trip to visit the team that supplanted them for last in the conference, Middle Tennessee State.

14) San Jose State (3-7) The (Paul) Blart-ans got blasted in a Bummer Bowl, losing 55-10 in Reno at Nevada. Next up is a trip to SoCal to take on MWC leaders San Diego State.

15) New Mexico State (3-7) The (What's an?) Aggies took their 5th straight loss, 42-9 at Tennessee. Next up is a CUSA Bummer Bowl at UTEP.

16) UAB (3-7) The Lazyers got torched at home by North Texas, 53-24. Next up, the nationally ranked University of South (really West) Florida visits.

17) Virginia Tech (3-7) The Jokies took a 34-14 pummeling at Florida State (the Sports Thinkers Dad’s Alma mater) heading into this weekend’s home clash against Miami.

18) Michigan State (3-7) Penn State had lost 6 games straight until they found “Farty” on their schedule, giving Michigan State a 28-10 home loss. Next up for the Fartans is a game at nationally ranked Iowa.

19) Louisiana- Monroe (3-7) The MarHawks land back in the poll after a 26-14 home loss to South Alabama. Next up is a trip to Texas State before closing out 2025 at Louisiana for the annual Battle of the Bayou Rivalry game.

20) Air Force (3-7) The Failcons have stopped giving up nearly 40 points per game and in the last 4 weeks have averaged giving up only 21 points per game, and while that has netted them a 2-2 record during that stretch, they did lose to Connecticut, 26-16 last weekend to drop back into the poll. Next up, the New Mexico Lobos bring their 7-3 record to Colorado Springs.

21) Wisconsin (3-7) After breaking a six-game losing streak in which they were outscored 181-41, the Sadgers finally won two weeks ago to drop out, but after a 31-7 loss at Indiana (right on average!) they are right back in. Just in time for hosting Illinois.

22) Florida (3-7) The Hators are a lot like NC State this season, schizophrenically beating teams they shouldn’t but also losing big to others who aren’t so good. Last week was neither, with a 34-24 loss at highly ranked Ole Miss. Next up, Tennessee visits Gainesville. Who the hell knows what will happen?

23) UCLA (3-7) The ‘Ruins have managed all three of their wins in conference play, not an easy feat in a league as tough as the B1G (10, 18 whatever!). Last week was not one of those, with an ugly 48-10 loss at national #1 Ohio State. This weekend, Washington visits.

24) tie Bowling Green (3-7) The Failcons #2 had a BYE week before heading into two straight Tuesday games coming up, first hosting Akron today and then at UMass to close out the 2025 season.

24) tie Syracuse (3-7) The Puce also had a BYE week, at last. Next up is a visit to Our Lady before a season ending home Bummer Bowl against Boston College.

25) tie Colorado (3-7) The Beefaloes were also on a BYE week and will host Arizona State on Saturday.

25) tie Stanford (3-7) The Marginal also had a BYE week before they will be hosting "The Game" against California this Saturday.

 

                                 

DISHONORABLE MENTION: South Alabama (3-7), Tulsa (3-7), Northern Illinois (3-7) and Eastern Michigan (4-7)

Dropped Out: Penn State, Kent State and Texas State

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