2025 Football

TheKid

The earliest predictions do not have the Owls escaping the basement or near-basement of CUSA. There has been so much roster turnover that it is hard to really gauge what we're in for this year. How many wins is a "good year" for the staff?

Hootyhoo

I think 5 wins would be a good year. 4 wins would be fine (this is basically where Vegas has us). 3 wins would be failure. I don't think 6 wins and a bowl is impossible.

I think liberty, wake, and Indiana we can chalk up as losses. We don't have to play Western Kentucky this year so that's an easier conference schedule for us than last year.

I'm a little optimistic this year. We're bringing back some pretty good players on defense. I think that side of the ball is at least average for cusa. I'm a little worried about the d-line though. Pass rush was non-existent last year. We need one of those two edge transfers to hit.

On offense, it just can't be any worse than last year. The staff seems really confident the transfer QBs are better since they moved Bryson to receiver. I'm excited to see the new scheme.

bb_fan

Last week The Athletic ranked all 136 DI likely starting QB's and KSU's Dexter Williams was rated 122. Not good; but that is actually higher than 4 other CUSA teams.

bb_fan

Massey says KSU beats Merrimack and..... anyone else would be an upset.

Rico

How is the 2026 recruiting class looking? I heard they had a good turn out at some of the camps they have been having

GO-OW15

Based on what has been shown in practice clips it looks like the O Line could be a combination of Lee, Best, Chenault, Pennington, and Milovac which at least looks like an FBS group based on size.

bb_fan

The Athletic ranks KSU 135/136:

Kennesaw State: New coach Jerry Mack has a roster with decent experience, but moving from a triple-option offense could compound the growing pains.
Kent State: The only winless team of 2024 now has an interim head coach and little reason for optimism.

KingOwl

Football preview podcast is out! Let me know y'alls thoughts!

OwlFan

bb_fan

Massey sez WF 38 KSU 13 with a 4-6 percent chance to win. Indiana game, Massey sez 0% chance.

KingOwl

OwlFan woohoo there's a chance

Jim_Jones

Until we make the proper Investments and not renovate buildings that are built in the 80s we are not going to be successful.

KingOwl

Jim_Jones i guess Jim Jones didnt drink the Koolaid

BurialGround

Excited to see what we look like. Just hoping to watch a competitive, hard-nosed team on the field. Get better week by week regardless of what happens in these first games. Let's go!

Hootyhoo

That drive was incredible. We're good again.

GO-OW15

I think the Owls put in a good effort despite missing on 4 points early. The defense really impressed me but I think the Offense will need better chemistry with the non-benyard skill players and williams to take the next step.

Nhumps

Impressed with the toughness on defense. Dexter seemed very comfortable running the offense until the last two possessions. Hate that the missed extra point was the only thing standing between us and the win. Such a missed opportunity. Hopefully we can make some improvements on penalties and opening up the passing game.

BurialGround

I'm gonna temper my expectations right now as Wake was really bad, but it was an encouraging first game under the new staff (I wish we'd pull off one of these upsets though lol, we've come close so many times). The DC acquitted himself well, I like how the defense played, and I'm hoping this turns out to be a huge diamond in the rough hire, the way Newberry was for Bohannon.

Kmase14

I feel like that’s all you can expect out of a first game. Strong defense that looked like they played hard, okay offense that just missed some big plays, vs. a power 4 team, even if it’s a bad power 4 team. I liked what we saw.

You show me that score before the game, I take it 10/10. Could have been a win, maybe even should have.

Don’t want to set expectations off of one game, but looks like it should at least be a fun season.

GO-OW15

Looking back through the stats I want to know how many players were injured before the trip to Wake. If we were down Belcher, Zollicofer, and some of the D-line transfers along with Hallum and Johnson I am much more confident in the depth of talent we brought in.

Kmase14

We’re finally on to the real part of the schedule. No more P4 or FCS games. Glad we’re playing at least one group of 5 (6?) game before conference play.

ESPN has us favored in 3 games the rest of the season. I think 4.5 (O/U) is fair at this point. I’d like to think I’d take the over but it’s really hard to judge this team based on the games we’ve played and how we’ve managed QB.