Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Pete Fiutak

2019 CFN Five-Year Program Analysis Rankings No. 1 to 130

Which college programs have been the strongest over the last five seasons in the 2019 CFN Five-Year Analysis?

Where do all the college football programs rank on and off the field over the last five years?

The academic side matters, and the attendance is a really big deal for the bottom line, but in the end, it’s all about three things: wins, wins, and wins.

Win college football games, and everything else falls into place.

Created over two decades ago, the CFN Five-Year Program Analysis takes a look at several different factors to see who’s doing the best job.

Miami ruled the rankings in the early 1990s, Florida and Nebraska stepped up for a stretch, USC dominated for a while, and now you can probably guess who the big stars are.

How are the rankings determined? Click here for all of the category descriptions and all of the team-by-team rankings.

Contact @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 11-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

130. Kent State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 12.881
2018 Ranking: 125
Biggest Positive: 2 Bad Wins
Biggest Negative: 8 FBS Wins
Analysis: It’s been a rough run over the last several years with a mere eight wins over FBS teams, no wins over teams that finished with a winning record – only UTEP achieved that – and a second-worst conference winning percentage of just %0.18.
– Kent State 2019 Team Preview

129. UMass

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 14.43
2018 Ranking: 130
Biggest Positive: 13 FBS Wins
Biggest Negative: 10 Bad Loss Score
Analysis: The Minutemen have a decent number of wins over FBS teams considering the low ranking, but the lack of attendance and the rough time against teams that finished with three losses or fewer dragged the score way, way down.
– UMass 2019 Team Preview

128. Kansas

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 15.443
2018 Ranking: 127
Biggest Positive: 2.67 Attendance Score
Biggest Negative: 0.067 conference winning percentage
Analysis: There just aren’t any wins. No one in America had fewer wins over FBS teams over the last five years than KU’s six, and it all ties into a miserable Big 12 record. No victories = no fun.
– Kansas 2019 Team Preview

127. Charlotte

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 15.814
2018 Ranking: 129
Biggest Positive: 3 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 9 wins over FBS teams
Analysis: The overall wins just aren’t there considering the program has only been around for four seasons in the FBS world. There aren’t enough bulk victories, but the attendance and APR could use a boost, too.
– Charlotte 2019 Team Preview

126. UTEP

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 16.113
2018 Ranking: 123
Biggest Positive: 15 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 10 Bad Loss Score
Analysis: This is going to get ugly in a real hurry if the Miners don’t have a big 2019. The 7-6 2014 season comes off the Five-Year Analysis books next season, and that takes away seven wins from the overall total. The rest of the numbers across the board are horrendous.
– UTEP 2019 Team Preview

125. Coastal Carolina

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 17.428
2018 Ranking: 128
Biggest Positive: 9.704 APR score
Biggest Negative: 7 FBS wins
Analysis: The Chanticleers get a break – they’ve only been in the mix for two years. The wins aren’t there partly because there haven’t been enough games played, but the APR is fantastic and the three wins over teams that finished with winning records helps considering how new the program is to the FBS.
– Coastal Carolina 2019 Team Preview

124. Texas State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 17.449
2018 Ranking: 118
Biggest Positive: 12 FBS Wins
Biggest Negative: 6.5 Bad Loss Score
Analysis: There have been a few wins, but not enough of them to overcome so many bad losses, a horrible record in conference play, and a rough APR. There aren’t any good numbers to prop up the mere 12 FBS wins.
– Texas State 2019 Team Preview

123. Liberty

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 17.99
2018 Ranking: 126
Biggest Positive: 7 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 9.468 APR score
Analysis: The Flames only have one year to work off of in the Program Analysis, and it’s still not at the bottom. They came up with a decent enough debut to have a good first start, but the other numbers have to rise up in the APR Score and in the attendance.
– Liberty 2019 Team Preview

122. UNLV

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 19.722
2018 Ranking: 114
Biggest Positive: 14 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 0 players drafted
Analysis: The program that can’t turn the corner now gets hammered for its years of mediocrity. The attendance is low, the 30% winning clip in the Mountain West hurts, and the APR is a problem. Not getting any players drafted over the last five years stings.
– UNLV 2019 Team Preview

121. Connecticut

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 20.65
2018 Ranking: 117
Biggest Positive: 9.73 APR score
Biggest Negative: 10 FBS wins
Analysis: The soon-to-be independent has an Elite Win over Houston in 2015, but that doesn’t make up for the lack of overall wins. With just ten FBS wins over the last five seasons, and after all the struggles in American Athletic play – winning just 20% of its games – it’s been a rough run.
– UConn 2019 Team Preview

120. San Jose State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 20.857
2018 Ranking: 109
Biggest Positive: 2.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 12 FBS wins
Analysis: There aren’t enough wins. The Spartans keep struggling in Mountain West play – winning just 28% of their games over the last five seasons – and there are just two victories over teams that finished with winning records. The Bad Loss score of 7 is a problem, but overall, the program just doesn’t win enough.
– San Jose State 2019 Team Preview

119. Ball State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 20.982
2018 Ranking: 111
Biggest Positive: 4 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 0.91 Attendance score
Analysis: There’s just not a lot going on with the program with just 13 FBS wins over the last five seasons, a 25% run in MAC play, and with an abysmal Attendance Score. However, four of the 13 wins were over teams that finished with winning records.
– Ball State 2019 Team Preview

118. New Mexico State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 21.415
2018 Ranking: 121
Biggest Positive: 16 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1 Quality Win
Analysis: The Aggies were able to get to a bowl game and win it in 2017, but they’ve beaten just one team that finished with a winning record over the last five years. The Bad Loss score of 5.5 hurts, the lack of attendance stings, and the low APR really hurts.
– New Mexico State 2019 Team Preview

117. Rice

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 22.32
2018 Ranking: 95
Biggest Positive: 9.738 APR score
Biggest Negative: 1 Quality Win
Analysis: Something big had better happen in a hurry, because the 8-5 2014 season doesn’t count next year. The expectedly high APR Score helps out a wee bit, but the attendance and absence of enough big wins knocked down the overall ranking.
– Rice 2019 Team Preview

116. Georgia State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 24.269
2018 Ranking: 124
Biggest Positive: 7 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 8.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: The Panthers have had their moments over the last five years, but the lack of consistency in Sun Belt play and the brutal 8.5 Bad Loss score dragged the overall ranking down. Even so. There was a decent move up thanks to seven wins over teams that finished with a winning record.
– Georgia State 2019 Team Preview 

115. ULM

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 26.645
2018 Ranking: 113
Biggest Positive: 17 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 38% conference wins
Analysis: There aren’t any decent numbers across the board, but the 17 FBS wins are at least enough to keep the Warhawks from falling into the range of the truly miserable. Winning 38% of Sun Belt games hurts, and the lack of decent attendance and big wins is a drag.
– ULM 2019 Team Preview 

114. Eastern Michigan

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 27.477
2018 Ranking: 122
Biggest Positive: 19 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 6 Bad Loss score
Analysis: Considering EMU was a regular in the bottom ten of this not all that long ago, the rise up into the merely mediocre has been dramatic. The Attendance Score is always going to be a problem, and the program has still only won 33% of its MAC games over the last five years, but things are looking up.
– Eastern Michigan 2019 Team Preview

113. Oregon State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 27.933
2018 Ranking: 98
Biggest Positive: 5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 9 FBS wins
Analysis: Being a Pac-12 team helped keep it from falling deeper into the abyss. The 3.72 Attendance score isn’t good, but it’s not in Group of Five territory. The Draft score is terrific, but the wins just aren’t there. OSU has won just 13% of its Pac-12 games over the last five years and just nine FBS games overall.
– Oregon State 2019 Team Preview 

112. Tulsa

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 28.508
2018 Ranking: 106
Biggest Positive: 21 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 9.43 APR score
Analysis: The trend has been down over two straight ugly seasons, the program was up in the 100s not all that long ago. The attendance is struggling and the losses over the last few years have been a hit. Now it’s all about starting to win more American Athletic Conference games – the wins have to come.
– Tulsa 2019 Team Preview

111. Miami University

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 28.566
2018 Ranking: 120
Biggest Positive: 50% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 1.59 Attendance score
Analysis: MU has been on the verge of turning a corner … and it can’t do it. The 20 FBS wins aren’t amazing, but they’re enough of a base to start to do more. The APR is fantastic and winning half of the MAC games helps, but the 6.5 Bad Loss score is disastrous.
– Miami University 2019 Team Preview 

110. Hawaii

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 29.717
2018 Ranking: 119
Biggest Positive: 20 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 33% conference wins
Analysis: It’s been a rocky run over the last several seasons, but at least there’s more excitement and a few more wins. Now the Rainbow Warriors have to start beating more Mountain West teams. The 5.5 Bad Loss score is brutal, and the 2.5 Attendance score isn’t a boost.
– Hawaii 2019 Team Preview 

109. Rutgers

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 31.561
2018 Ranking: 100
Biggest Positive: 4.41 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 16% conference wins
Analysis: The Scarlet Knights aren’t having a whole lot of fun with just 15 FBS wins and a mere 16% run in conference play. The APR is good, and the 4.41 Attendance score doesn’t hurt, but they’re getting rolled too often and easily in the Big Ten.
– Rutgers 2019 Team Preview

108. SMU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 31.717
2018 Ranking: 108
Biggest Positive: 5 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 17 FBS wins
Analysis: Just like everyone else down this low, there aren’t enough wins. But for SMU, there really aren’t enough – the 17 are the fewest among anyone in the top 105. However, five of them were against teams that finished with winning records. The 9.5 APR score should be a whole lot stronger.
– SMU 2019 Team Preview 

107. Tulane

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 31.826
2018 Ranking: 105
Biggest Positive: 5 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 30% conference wins
Analysis: There are too many disappointing marks for a program with a few decent things going its way. The APR score should be better than 9.529, and the Attendance score – 2.11 – is rough, but the Draft score of 3 and the five wins over teams that finished with a winning record help.
– Tulane 2019 Team Preview 

106. Akron

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 31.901
2018 Ranking: 99
Biggest Positive: 24 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.72 Attendance score
Analysis: A few decent years were enough to keep the slide from falling any further. There are just two wins over teams that finished with winning records, but the Zips won almost half of their MAC games. The 24 FBS wins are tied for the most by anyone outside of the top 100.
– Akron 2019 Team Preview

105. East Carolina

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 32.042
2018 Ranking: 80
Biggest Positive: 4.04 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 30% conference winning
Analysis: Considering all of the problems and all the issues for a program that slid from the 80s all the way down here, it could be worse. For a Group of Five program, the attendance is solid, but the 19 FBS wins are too light and there aren’t nearly enough victories in conference play.
– East Carolina 2019 Team Preview 

104. UTSA

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 32.434
2018 Ranking: 93
Biggest Positive: 40% conference winning
Biggest Negative: 9.614 APR
Analysis: The decent winning clip in conference play helped keep the Roadrunners from plummeting any further than this. There were only four wins over teams that finished with winning records, the Attendance and APR scores aren’t good, and the Draft score is whatever. Win the games in Conference USA play that are there for the taking, and the program will be okay.
– UTSA 2019 Team Preview 

103. Bowling Green

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 33.833
2018 Ranking: 78
Biggest Positive: 24 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.62 Attendance score
Analysis: A few rough seasons sent the ranking plummeting down fast, and it’s only going to get worse next year if there isn’t a good 2019. The 24 FBS wins help, but those have dwindled. No one’s getting drafted, the attendance is mediocre, and there aren’t any huge victories. The Falcons have to start winning MAC games in bulk again.
– Bowling Green 2019 Team Preview 

102. Old Dominion

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 34.777
2018 Ranking: 103
Biggest Positive: 26 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 6 Bad Loss score
Analysis: The Monarchs haven’t set the world on fire in their few seasons in the FBS world, but they’ve been able to win almost half of their conference games, maintain a decent APR, and come up with a solid 26 FBS wins along the way. The Bad Loss score of 6 stinks, but overall, it’s an okay ranking for a program trying to become more established.
– Old Dominion 2019 Team Preview

101. Illinois

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 32.493
2018 Ranking: 102
Biggest Positive: 9.814 APR score
Biggest Negative: 21% conference winning
Analysis: The Fighting Illini aren’t winning any big games in Big Ten play. The Lovie Smith era hasn’t turned a corner, and 16 FBS wins are way low, and there aren’t any great marks to lift the program up. The 4.08 Attendance score is pathetic for a program of this size and potential.
– Illinois 2019 Team Preview 

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 11-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: 76-100, 50-75, 26-51, Top 25, Top 10

100. Nevada

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 34.867
2018 Ranking: 112
Biggest Positive: 28 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.97 Attendance score
Analysis: This ranking might not be anything special, but the program is on the rise. The wins are starting to come under Jay Norvell, but the 1.97 Attendance score has to improve and the APR and Draft scores have to be a whole lot better. The Bad Loss score of 5 stinks.
– Nevada 2019 Team Preview 

99. Buffalo

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 34.894
2018 Ranking: 107
Biggest Positive: 7 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.76 Attendance score
Analysis: The amazing 2018 season helped boost things up, but there have to be more of those. The Attendance score is never going to be great, and the 5.5 Bad Loss score is an anchor. The MAC winning clip of 46% isn’t good enough considering the talent recently amassed, but the 24 FBS wins aren’t bad.
– Buffalo 2019 Team Preview 

98. Louisiana

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 34.922
2018 Ranking: 90
Biggest Positive: 60% conference winning
Biggest Negative: 4.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: The Ragin’ Cajuns have won just enough in Sun Belt play to not fall deep into the 100s, but the 2.04 Attendance score isn’t anything great, the 9.5 APR score is low, and the 4.5 Bad Loss score hurts. The other numbers aren’t going to be strong enough to boost things up if there aren’t more wins.
– Louisiana 2019 Team Preview 

97. New Mexico

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 35.169
2018 Ranking: 96
Biggest Positive: 1 Bad Loss score
Biggest Negative: 9.474 APR Score
Analysis: There’s just not anything to like. The wins aren’t there in Mountain West play – winning just 38% of the time – with just four victories over teams that finished with a winning record. The APR stinks, the attendance is low, and no one’s getting drafted. Other than that, everything is going great.
– New Mexico 2019 Team Preview 

96. FIU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 35.427
2018 Ranking: 115
Biggest Positive: 26 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.48 Attendance score
Analysis: The Golden Panthers are getting a few players drafted, and the FBS wins aren’t that bad. Even so, it would be nice if the conference winning clip – 53% – was a little bit stronger and it would be great if there were more Quality Wins. The four victories over teams that finished with winning records are among the fewest in the top 100.
– FIU 2019 Team Preview 

95. Central Michigan

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 35.46
2018 Ranking: 85
Biggest Positive: 7 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.51 Attendance score
Analysis: The total whiff of a 2018 season sent the CMU ranking through the floor. The seven wins over teams that finished with a winning record is a plus, and and the 9.7 APR Score is great, but new head coach Jim McElwain has to pull this thing out of the nosedive in a hurry.
– Central Michigan 2019 Team Preview 

94. North Texas

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 37.418
2018 Ranking: 89
Biggest Positive: 8 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.97 Attendance score
Analysis: It seems like the ranking should be a whole lot higher than this after the success lately, but the Mean Green still haven’t won half of their conference games over the last five years. The non-existent Draft score doesn’t help, and the Bad Loss score of 4 is a hit.
– North Texas 2019 Team Preview 

93. South Alabama

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 38.041
2018 Ranking: 87
Biggest Positive: 7 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.66 Attendance score
Analysis: Everything else across the board stinks, but the seven wins over teams that finished with winning records bails out just about everything else. The 9.7 APR Score isn’t bad, and the 2.5 Elite Win score is a huge boost, but the 20 FBS wins and 38% Sun Belt winning run aren’t good enough.
– South Alabama 2019 Team Preview 

92. Georgia Southern

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 38.31
2018 Ranking: 104
Biggest Positive: 31 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.77 Attendance score
Analysis: The program is winning. The Eagles have cranked out a 65% run in the Sun Belt and the 31 FBS wins are great, but … they haven’t beaten anyone with just one victory over a team that finished with a winning record. The 9.39 APR score is abysmal, and the lack of attendance doesn’t help.
– Georgia Southern 2019 Team Preview 

91. Wyoming

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 39.303
2018 Ranking: 92
Biggest Positive: 24 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 5.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: The Cowboys have won just enough Mountain West games – almost half – and get just enough players drafted to continue to hover just outside of the top 80. The 5.5 Bad Loss score is disastrous, and 1.97 Attendance score hurts, but the program has found a bit of a niche.
– Wyoming 2019 Team Preview 

90. UAB

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 40.2836
2018 Ranking: 116
Biggest Positive: 11 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.46 Attendance score
Analysis: The ranking isn’t all that fair, and it’s also sort of amazing. The way-low Attendance score comes from not having any butts in the seats for two years when the program was taking a nap. Everything else, though, is outstanding considering it’s based on three seasons, including the fantastic 11 victories over teams that finished with a winning record.
– UAB 2019 Team Preview 

89. Colorado

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 41.525
2018 Ranking: 84
Biggest Positive: 4.33 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 29% conference wins
Analysis: Even with a Pac-12 South title a few seasons ago, it’s still been a rough run overall in the last five seasons. The Attendance score isn’t great, but it’s decent enough to keep the Buffs from falling too much further than this – as long as they’re winning. Winning big games would be nice, too, with just six victories over teams that finished with a winning record.
– Colorado 2019 Team Preview

88. Florida Atlantic

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 41.54
2018 Ranking: 82
Biggest Positive: 8 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.56 Attendance score
Analysis: Even with a small attendance figure, and despite a mediocre 9.53 APR score, and even with a surprising 45% conference winning clip, the Owls keep pushing up the rankings after a few good seasons under Lane Kiffin. Winning eight games against teams that finished with winning records helped.
– Florida Atlantic 2019 Team Preview 

87. Vanderbilt

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 41.763
2018 Ranking: 77
Biggest Positive: 9.9 APR score
Biggest Negative: 19 FBS wins
Analysis: There aren’t enough wins, and the big wins are missing, but the Commodores are able to overcome a slew of problems with a phenomenal APR score and just enough decent marks across the board to stay in the top 90. However, the 23% conference win run is a killer.
– Vanderbilt 2019 Team Preview 

86. Purdue

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 42.787
2018 Ranking: 97
Biggest Positive: 4.03 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 19 FBS wins
Analysis: Vanderbilt is the only other team in the top 102 in these rankings with fewer than 20 FBS wins, but Jeff Brohm is improving things in a hurry. Even with a good few seasons, the program has only won 28% of its conference games and has just eight wins over teams that finished with a winning record.
– Purdue 2019 Team Preview 

85. Virginia

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 42.824
2018 Ranking: 94
Biggest Positive: 3.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 35% conference wins
Analysis: The Cavaliers had a rough run before Bronco Mendenhall turned things around over the last few seasons. It’s going to take a few more great campaigns to boost up more than this. The 21 FBS wins are a tad light, and winning just 35% of the conference games hurts. That’s all changing in a hurry.
– Virginia 2019 Team Preview

84. Army

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 43.086
2018 Ranking: 110
Biggest Positive: 29 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 8.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: It’s Army, so the NFL Draft isn’t a part of the picture. However, with the amazing last few seasons under head coach Jeff Monken, the program has been able to crank up the rankings. The 11 Quality Wins are a huge part of this, but the overall score is dragged down by the brutal 8.5 Bad Loss score.
– Army 2019 Team Preview

83. Iowa State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 43.487
2018 Ranking: 101
Biggest Positive: 5.5 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 4 Bad Loss score
Analysis: It’s still going to take a little while before the Cyclones make a bigger move up, but Matt Campbell is leading an impressive boost. Even with the program’s mere 21 FBS wins over the last five years and a 33% winning run in Big 12 play, things are looking way, way up.
– Iowa State 2019 Team Preview 

82. Syracuse

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 44.793
2018 Ranking: 88
Biggest Positive: 10 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 33% conference wins
Analysis: With a great 2018, the Orange are starting to make some noise under Dino Babers, but there’s a long way to go. The conference winning run has been rough, and the 20 FBS wins are the fewest by anyone in the top 82. The Elite Win over Clemson two seasons ago continues to help boost up the ranking.
– Syracuse 2019 Team Preview 

81. Indiana

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 47.358
2018 Ranking: 76
Biggest Positive: 4.28 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 26% conference wins
Analysis: The Hoosiers aren’t winning enough Big Ten games, but the two Elite Wins and decent Draft, APR and Attendance scores helped keep them in the top 80. As some point, the FBS wins have to start coming – the 23 are way too few – with some big conference victories a must.
– Indiana 2019 Team Preview 

80. Wake Forest

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 46.758
2018 Ranking: 91
Biggest Positive: 11 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 30% conference wins
Analysis: Dave Clawson has been able to make the Demon Deacon program a regular thing on the bowl circuit, but the ACC victories aren’t quite there, and the 23 FBS wins overall are still too light. Even so, the program enjoyed a huge boost up into the 70s. The 11 wins over teams that finished with winning records are tied for the most by anyone just outside of the top 70.
– Wake Forest 2019 Team Preview 

79. Maryland

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 47.142
2018 Ranking: 73
Biggest Positive: 4.08 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 30% conference wins
Analysis: The Terps are going through another change after a rough period. On the field, the 21 FBS wins over the last five seasons are the fewest by anyone ranked this high. The 9.7 APR score is excellent, and the Attendance score helps, but the wins have to start coming under new head man Mike Locksley.
– Maryland 2019 Team Preview 

78. Colorado State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 47.987
2018 Ranking: 62
Biggest Positive: 30 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 5.25 Bad Win score
Analysis: The Rams were a model of consistency for a few years before a rough 2018, but the 30 FBS wins are strong – even if the Bad Win score is a problem. The 3.5 Draft score is a positive, but the ranking won’t go back up after this year’s dip without more Mountain West victories.
– Colorado State 2019 Team Preview 

77. Middle Tennessee

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 48.127
2018 Ranking: 75
Biggest Positive: 68% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 1.66 Attendance score
Analysis: The Blue Raiders have been steady players in the Conference USA world, and the 9.84 APR score is outstanding. The attendance isn’t anything special, though, and the seven Quality Wins are way too few. As long as the FBS wins are still coming – 32 in the last five years – this is around where the ranking will be.
– Middle Tennessee 2019 Team Preview 

76. Texas Tech

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 48.701
2018 Ranking: 67
Biggest Positive: 5.69 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 22 FBS wins
Analysis: Being a decent Big 12 program helps on the attendance side, and the ten Quality Wins aren’t bad, but the 22 FBS wins are way, way too light – the fewest by anyone in the top 80. How mediocre has the program been? 33% wins in conference play.
– Texas Tech 2019 Team Preview 

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 11-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: 50-75, 26-51, Top 25, Top 10

75. Southern Miss

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 49.037
2018 Ranking: 86
Biggest Positive: 28 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 4.25 Bad Win score
Analysis: The Golden Eagles made a massive move up over the last three seasons by doing more in conference play. The nine wins over teams that finished with a winning record is a help, the 28 FBS wins was a boost, and the 9.852 APR score is outstanding. Now the team needs more big wins to overcome the awful Bad Loss score.
– Southern Miss 2019 Team Preview 

74. Cincinnati

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 49.16
2018 Ranking: 81
Biggest Positive: 31 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 50% conference wins
Analysis: The Bearcats haven’t been consistent, but when they’ve been on, they’ve been outstanding. The 31 FBS wins are the most by anyone ranked this low, but there aren’t a slew of big victories with just seven Quality Wins. The 9.7 APR Score isn’t bad, either.
– Cincinnati 2019 Team Preview 

73. California

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 49.474
2018 Ranking: 79
Biggest Positive: 5.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 36% conference wins
Analysis: The Bears haven’t done much in Pac-12 play over the last five seasons, but the overall scores aren’t too bad, the 26 FBS victories are good enough, and the Draft score is among the best of anyone outside of the top 50. Under Justin Wilcox, the needle is pointing up. Get ready for the Bears to be well up into the 60s next year if all goes according to plan.
– Cal 2019 Team Preview 

72. Arkansas State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 49.663
2018 Ranking: 68
Biggest Positive: 78% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 2.29 Attendance score
Analysis: The Sun Belt powerhouse has won close to 80% of its conference games, and the 35 FBS wins are fantastic, but there are only five Quality wins and the Attendance score is always going to be a drag. The 2.5 Bad Loss score is just enough to keep the Red Wolves out of the 60s.
– Arkansas State 2019 Team Preview 

71. Troy

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 50.074
2018 Ranking: 74
Biggest Positive: 34 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.93 Attendance score
Analysis: The Trojans were fantastic in the Sun Belt under Neal Brown, winning 65% of its conference games and pulling off 34 FBS wins overall. Now he’s gone, and it all has to go on despite the coaching change. There aren’t any Elite wins, but the nine victories over teams that finished with winning records helped provide a wee bit of a jump up overall.
– Troy 2019 Team Preview 

70. Fresno State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 52.543
2018 Ranking: 66
Biggest Positive: 12 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 9.488 APR score
Analysis: Jeff Tedford turned around the program in a massive way over the last few seasons. The 27 FBS wins are a big plus, but the conference winning percentage has to go up after taking home just 53% over the last five years. The 12 Quality Wins are the biggest overall help to the score.
– Fresno State 2019 Team Preview

69. Ohio

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 52.576
2018 Ranking: 69
Biggest Positive: 35 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.97 Attendance score
Analysis: Ohio has become among the steadiest and best programs in the MAC under head coach Frank Solich. The 35 FBS wins help overcome the lack of attendance, and the 9.7APR helps the cause, too. Along with the attendance, there are just enough negatives – like the 1.5 Bad Loss score – to drag things down.
– Ohio 2019 Team Preview 

68. Utah State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 52.797
2018 Ranking: 64
Biggest Positive: 31 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 2.00 Attendance score
Analysis: It’s up to Gary Andersen step in and keep the success going after a huge year from Matt Wells. Over the last five seasons, ten of the 31 wins were against teams that finished with winning records, and winning 58% of the time in Mountain West play is just good enough to stay in the 60s.
– Utah State 2019 Team Preview 

67. Duke

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 52.816
2018 Ranking: 63
Biggest Positive: 9.928 APR score
Biggest Negative: 2.74 Attendance score
Analysis: The attendance will never be good enough to get Duke a whole lot higher than this without a lot more wins. The APR is always going to be amazing, but winning just 40% of the ACC games is a drag. The Blue Devils make a slew of wins count, with 13 Quality Wins among the 31 FBS wins overall. Coming up with an Elite win or two would make a huge difference.
– Duke 2019 Team Preview 

66. USF

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 53.311
2018 Ranking: 72
Biggest Positive: 35 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 6 Quality Wins
Analysis: The Bulls get plenty of players drafted, and they’ve won plenty of games over the last five years, but the 3.29 Attendance score isn’t all that great and the six Quality Wins are way, way too low. They’re the fewest by anyone in the top 80.
– USF 2019 Team Preview

65. North Carolina

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 53.489
2018 Ranking: 42
Biggest Positive: 7 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 25 FBS wins
Analysis: The Tar Heels were well into the top 30 just a few seasons ago, and now they’re in a freefall following two lousy years. It’s up to Mack Brown to change all of that and make UNC more of a player in the ACC – the program is now under 50% in conference play over the last five seasons.
– North Carolina 2019 Team Preview

64. BYU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 53.731
2018 Ranking: 58
Biggest Positive: 5.66 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 8 Quality Wins
Analysis: The 32 FBS wins aren’t bad, but there aren’t enough big, giant wins over great teams with just eight Quality victories. There aren’t enough drafted parts, the APR is almost always going to be light, and the conference winning score in this is all based on the overall record.
– BYU 2019 Team Preview 

63. Air Force

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 54.039
2018 Ranking: 70
Biggest Positive: 9.904 APR score
Biggest Negative: 4.5 Bad Win score
Analysis: Air Force will always have a problem when it comes to attendance and the draft, but the 11 Quality Wins help overcome some of the issues. The amazing APR helps the cause, and winning 33 FBS games in five seasons isn’t bad.
– Air Force 2019 Team Preview 

62. Arizona

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 56.252
2018 Ranking: 51
Biggest Positive: 4.77 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 44% conference wins
Analysis: There isn’t anything great about any of the Arizona numbers, but they’re all just good enough to keep the program in the top 60. The 28 FBS wins are among the lowest of anyone ranked up this high, the 9.5 APR Score isn’t great, and there’s a Bad Loss along the way, but one big season would bring the boost.
– Arizona 2019 Team Preview

61. Boston College

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 56.076
2018 Ranking: 59
Biggest Positive: 13 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 35% conference wins
Analysis: The 9.8 APR score is among the elite, the Draft score of 7 is great, and the 13 Quality Wins out of the 26 help make up for a few low other parts of the puzzle. There aren’t a ton of FBS wins, and the Attendance score is an issue, but overall this isn’t bad after being ranked 85th two seasons ago.
– Boston College 2019 Team Preview

60. Northern Illinois

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 57.402
2018 Ranking: 57
Biggest Positive: 75% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 1.20 Attendance score
Analysis: The Huskies have been a force in the MAC – winning 75% of their games – but the lack of butts in the seats will always be an issue and the 11 Quality Wins are a tad low. On the plus side, the 9.7 APR score is solid.
– Northern Illinois 2019 Team Preview

59. Kentucky

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 57.639
2018 Ranking: 83
Biggest Positive: 5.68 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 43% conference wins
Analysis: One big season turned into a massive help in the rankings, moving UK up 20 spots. The 29 FBS wins are a bit low, and there aren’t enough SEC wins, but the overall numbers are just good enough to boost up a program that was in the 90s two years ago.
– Kentucky 2019 Team Preview

58. Marshall

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 58.237
2018 Ranking: 54
Biggest Positive: 63% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 9 Quality Wins
Analysis: The Thundering Herd have 39 FBS wins over the last five seasons, but the nine wins over teams that finished with a winning record are the fewest by anyone in the top 53. There aren’t any Bad Losses, but along with the great conference winning percentage, there are a slew of Bad Wins – a 4.25 score.
– Marshall 2019 Team Preview

57. Arkansas

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 58.465
2018 Ranking: 52
Biggest Positive: 6.56 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 28% conference wins
Analysis: The Hogs are still hanging well inside the top 60 despite doing next to nothing in SEC play. They’re not coming up with wins – the 23 overall are the fewest by anyone in the top 74 – but the massive Draft score of 10 and the huge Attendance score of 6.56 helps.
– Arkansas 2019 Team Preview

56. Kansas State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 59.753
2018 Ranking: 46
Biggest Positive: 5.18 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 53% conference wins
Analysis: The Wildcats have hit a bit of a wall. the 32 FBS wins are okay, but there are just ten Quality Wins. They’ve won just over half of their Big 12 games, but there are no Bad losses and the APR score is a not-that-bad 9.79.
– Kansas State 2019 Team Preview

55. Louisiana Tech

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 60.07
2018 Ranking: 65
Biggest Positive: 38 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 2.19 Attendance score
Analysis: The Bulldogs have won 70% of their games in conference play over the last five years, and the 38 FBS wins are a huge factor, but they’re weighed down by their okay Attendance score. The Bad Loss score of 3 – with losses at home to WKU last year and to Northwestern State in 2014 – are the difference of around 20 spots.
– Louisiana Tech 2019 Team Preview

54. Pitt

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 61.372
2018 Ranking: 47
Biggest Positive: 14 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 2.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: North Carolina. The Tar Heels won in each of the last two seasons, and those two games handed Pitt its 2.5 Bad Loss score that ruined what would’ve been a decent all-around ranking. The 14 Quality Wins are great, and winning 60% of ACC games is a big plus.
– Pitt 2019 Team Preview

53. Western Michigan

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 61.725
2018 Ranking: 60
Biggest Positive: 37 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 1.86 Attendance score
Analysis: The 1-11 2013 season doesn’t going anymore in the rankings, so here’s the boost. Thanks to the great run under PJ Fleck, the program won a slew of games, has been great in MAC play – winning at a 73% clip – and the one Bad Loss to Purdue in 2014 won’t be on the books next year.
– Western Michigan 2019 Team Preview

52. Navy

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 61.742
2018 Ranking: 43
Biggest Positive: 13 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 9.64 APR score
Analysis: Navy will always have low Draft and Attendance scores, but the APR should be a tick higher. The 34 FBS wins are good, there aren’t any Bad Losses, and even with a down 2018, the overall ranking isn’t all that bad.
– Navy 2019 Team Preview

51. Baylor

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 62.433
2018 Ranking: 34
Biggest Positive: 9.714 APR score
Biggest Negative: 49% conference wins
Analysis: The ranking is going to keep dropping like a rock with the 11-2 2014 season off the books next year – unless Matt Rhule and company come up with a massive year. The 10 Quality Wins are a bit light, and the Bad Loss to Liberty to kick off the 1-11 2017 season hurts, but it’s a decent overall ranking considering there’s that awful campaign thrown into the mix.
– Baylor 2019 Team Preview

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 11-25 | 26-50 | 76-100 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: 26-50, Top 25, Top 10

50. Minnesota

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 62.765
2018 Ranking: 49
Biggest Positive: 33 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 40% conference wins
Analysis: It’s been a decent run for the Gophers to hang around the top 50, but there haven’t been enough Big Ten wins and the attendance has been a bit lacking for a program of this size – the 4.53 score is a bit low. However, PJ Fleck appears to have things on the right track.
– Minnesota 2019 Team Preview

49. Temple

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 62.989
2018 Ranking: 71
Biggest Positive: 73% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 3 Bad Loss score
Analysis: It wasn’t all that long ago that Temple was among the worst programs in college football, and now it’s up in the 50s. The 38 wins, the amazing conference winning percentage, and the solid Draft score of 4 helps get over some of the lower parts. The home Bad Losses to Villanova last season and UConn in 2017 will be around for a while.
– Temple 2019 Team Preview

48. South Carolina

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 63.38
2018 Ranking: 37
Biggest Positive: 4 Elite Win score
Biggest Negative: 28 FBS wins
Analysis: The Gamecocks just aren’t winning enough games, taking home just 40% of their battles in SEC play over the last five seasons and with a light 28 FBS wins overall – the fewest by anyone in the top 56. The 7.79 Attendance score is impressive, and the Elite Win score of 4 helps offset the rough Bad Loss at home to Citadel in 2015.
– South Carolina 2019 Team Preview

47. Georgia Tech

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 63.546
2018 Ranking: 44
Biggest Positive: 9.816 APR score
Biggest Negative: 50% conference wins
Analysis: There’s a lot to like about the Georgia Tech numbers, but the two Elite Wins came in 2014 – they won’t be on the books next season – and the 30 FBS wins are a tad light. Winning more ACC games is a must after taking down just half of them over the last five seasons.
– Georgia Tech 2019 Team Preview

46. WKU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 64.617
2018 Ranking: 38
Biggest Positive: 16 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.64 Attendance score
Analysis: Winning 23 games between 2015 and 2016 gets it done for the Hilltoppers, but the 16 wins over teams that finished with a winning record provided the move massive boost to keep the ranking in the top 50. The attendance is a problem, and the ranking will drop further if there isn’t a rebound after a rough 2018, but it’s a solid number overall for the program.
– WKU 2019 Team Preview

45. Appalachian State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 64.3
2018 Ranking: 61
Biggest Positive: 44 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 2.37 Attendance score
Analysis: The star of the Sun Belt has won 85% of its conference games over the five seasons in the FBS world, and only nine programs have more than 44 FBS wins over the span. Attendance and APR are low, but the 2.5 Bad Loss score goes away next year – both defeats were in 2014.
– Appalachian State 2019 Team Preview

44. Memphis

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 65.511
2018 Ranking: 53
Biggest Positive: 40 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 5.25 Bad Win score
Analysis: The Tigers have won a ton of games, but they’ve also beaten a whole slew of mediocre teams along the way. They’ve taken down 73% of their American Athletic Conference battles, they’re getting players drafted, and winning 40 FBS games is fantastic.
– Memphis 2019 Team Preview

43. Nebraska

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 65.525
2018 Ranking: 36
Biggest Positive: 9.01 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 47% conference wins
Analysis: This isn’t where the mighty program should be. It isn’t winning half of its Big Ten games, and there are just 30 FBS wins over the last five seasons, but the high attendance helps make up for a whole slew of mediocre numbers.
– Nebraska 2019 Team Preview

42. San Diego State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 65.717
2018 Ranking: 45
Biggest Positive: 41 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 5 Bad Win score
Analysis: Rocky Long’s program continues to be among the stars of the Group of Five world, winning 73% of its Mountain West games and with a terrific 41 FBS wins over the last five seasons. The attendance score is low, but the APR is fine, and all the wins make up for several other issues.
– San Diego State 2019 Team Preview

41. Missouri

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 65.906
2018 Ranking: 28
Biggest Positive: 14 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 30 FBS wins
Analysis: The Tigers are only winning 45% of their SEC games, but the APR Score of 9.86 is fantastic, the 5.72 attendance score is okay, and the 14 Quality Wins are terrific. Now they just need to win more games overall with just 30 FBS victories in the last five seasons.
– Missouri 2019 Team Preview

40. Louisville

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 66.399
2018 Ranking: 24
Biggest Positive: 8.5 Draft Score
Biggest Negative: 53% conference wins
Analysis: The Cardinals dropped in a big way after the dud of a 2018 season, but the 9.824 APR score is outstanding, the 5.05 Attendance score is solid, and the 12 Quality Wins are way too light – they’re the fewest of anyone in the top 40.
– Louisville 2019 Team Preview

39. Washington State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 66.57
2018 Ranking: 56
Biggest Positive: 36 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 3 Bad Loss score
Analysis: The Cougars were able to rise up after a great 2018 season, and they should push up the rankings even more after the 3-9 2014 campaign doesn’t count in next year’s group. The 2015 and 2016 season-opening Bad Losses at home to Portland State and Eastern Washington, respectively, drag down the score a bit, but overall, the needle is pointing up.
– Washington State 2019 Team Preview

38. Toledo

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 67.597
2018 Ranking: 41
Biggest Positive: 42 FBS Wins
Biggest Negative: 2.06 Attendance score
Analysis: The Rockets have won a ton of games over the last five seasons, and they’ve managed to win 78% of their MAC games. However, the 9.494 APR score is way low, as is the Attendance score, but winning makes up for a lot of that. The five Bad Wins, though, hurt a bit.
– Toledo 2019 Team Preview

37. Arizona State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 68.32
2018 Ranking: 29
Biggest Positive: 17 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 50% conference wins
Analysis: The Sun Devils have only won half of their Pac-12 games over the last five seasons, but the 17 wins over teams that finished with winning records, and the decent Attendance and APR scores help. The Bad Loss to Arizona to close out the 2016 season will be on the books for the next few years.
– Arizona State 2019 Team Preview

36. UCF

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 68.985
2018 Ranking: 39
Biggest Positive: 36 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 3.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: One … bad … year. The 0-12 2015 season is keeping the program from pushing its way well into the top 20. The Bad Losses that year to Furman, South Carolina and Tulane drag the score down even further, but even with that, the 36 FBS wins are fantastic. Winning 68% of the conference games – again, even with that winless season – is amazing.
– UCF 2019 Team Preview

35. NC State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 69.54
2018 Ranking: 55
Biggest Positive: 35 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 50% conference wins
Analysis: The Wolfpack have quietly moved up the rankings after several solid seasons. The 9.8 APR score is fantastic, and the 35 FBS wins are good, but winning just 50% of the ACC games is a bit of a problem. Even so, with the 3-9 2013 season no longer counting in the formula, State’s ranking shot up.
– NC State 2019 Team Preview

34. West Virginia

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 70.97
2018 Ranking: 50
Biggest Positive: 8.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 13 Quality Wins
Analysis: The Mountaineers were able to crank up the NFL talent over the last five seasons, and the 35 FBS wins are solid, but there weren’t enough terrific victories. The 13 Quality Wins are among the fewest of anyone in the top 40. Winning 60% of the Big 12 games is good, but it needs to be stronger.
– West Virginia 2019 Team Preview

33. Tennessee

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 71.83
2018 Ranking: 31
Biggest Positive: 9.80 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 40% conference wins
Analysis: The massive Attendance score will always be a bit of a backstop, but the overall wins just aren’t there. On the plus side, the Vols aren’t playing a whole slew of cheap games – 17 of the 29 FBS wins came against teams that finished with winning records – but winning just 40% of the SEC games isn’t going to cut it.
– Tennessee 2019 Team Preview

32. Virginia Tech

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 72.862
2018 Ranking: 25
Biggest Positive: 7 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 55% conference wins
Analysis: For all of the success, the Hokies have struggled a wee more than you might think in ACC play over the last five seasons. The 6.16 Attendance score is solid, and the players sent to the next level are flowing, but the program needs to start challenging for the conference title again. More ACC wins are a must.
– Virginia Tech 2019 Team Preview

31. Texas

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 73.435
2018 Ranking: 40
Biggest Positive: 9.45 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 53% conference wins
Analysis: Years of mediocrity are crushing when it comes to the lack of Big 12 wins, but the massive attendance, great APR of 9.7, and the huge Draft score of 6.5 are enough to overcome a few of the other mediocre numbers. The 14 Quality Wins are the fewest among the top 33 programs.
– Texas 2019 Team Preview

30. Northwestern

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 73.598
2018 Ranking: 48
Biggest Positive: 39 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 3.73 Attendance score
Analysis: The amazing 9.944 APR helps to overcome the home Bad Loss to Illinois State in 2016 which drags things down a bit, but winning 67% of the conference games is fantastic for the program, the 39 FBS wins are outstanding, and the ranking keeps on going up with all of the success.
– Northwestern 2019 Team Preview

29. Houston

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 73.893
2018 Ranking: 35
Biggest Positive: 41 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 9.456 APR score
Analysis: The Cougars have won a whole lot of games, and the 5.5 Elite Win score is outstanding, but some of the numbers are massive barriers. The 3.27 Attendance score hurts, the APR is awful, and the 2.5 Bad Loss score – Tulsa in 2017 and at home to Tulane in 2014 – all drag down an otherwise nice resumé.
– Houston 2019 Team Preview

28. UCLA

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 75.464
2018 Ranking: 16
Biggest Positive: 11 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 44% conference wins
Analysis: The Bruins have been loaded with NFL talent over the last five seasons with a huge Draft score, but it didn’t translate into enough wins with just 31 FBS victories and a 44% winning clip in the Pac-12. It’s a big program with a whole lot of positive parts – there’s no excuse not to be back into the top 20 again.
– UCLA 2019 Team Preview

27. Ole Miss

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 76.155
2018 Ranking: 23
Biggest Positive: 10 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 43% conference wins
Analysis: Even after all of the problems and issues, this is still a top 30 program. The Rebels haven’t won enough over the last few years, but they keep on cranking out lots of pro prospects, the 6.03 Attendance score isn’t bad, and the 4.5 Elite Win score is outstanding.
– Ole Miss 2019 Team Preview

26. Iowa

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 77.1
2018 Ranking: 32
Biggest Positive: 41 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 15 Quality Wins
Analysis: The Hawkeyes have won a whole lot of games over the last five seasons, but the 15 Quality Wins are low for a program hovering around the top 25, and the Bad Loss score of 3 is awful – losing to North Dakota State in 2016 and Iowa State in 2014. This continues to be a rock-solid program across the board.
– Iowa 2019 Team Preview

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 11-25 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: Top 25, Top 10

25. Oklahoma State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 78.44
2018 Ranking: 21
Biggest Positive: 18 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 9.57 APR score
Analysis: The Cowboys are decent across the board with 40 FBS wins, no Bad Losses, and with an okay 60% conference winning run. The APR could stand to be higher, and there do need to be more Big 12 wins, but this continues to be a top 25-caliber program under Mike Gundy.
– Oklahoma State 2019 Team Preview

24. Mississippi State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 79.459
2018 Ranking: 27
Biggest Positive: 9 Draft Score
Biggest Negative: 53% conference wins
Analysis: The Bulldogs have a strong 18 Quality Wins among the 37 FBS wins, and the Draft Score is a big boost to push the program up a bit. With a 9.7 APR and close to 6 in the Attendance score, the numbers are good. A few more SEC wins, though, would be a big plus despite playing in the toughest division in college football.
– Mississippi State 2019 Team Preview

23. Utah

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 80.758
2018 Ranking: 33
Biggest Positive: 40 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 56% conference wins
Analysis: The program turned a corner with a trip to the Pac-12 Championship last season, and things keep on getting better with the Bad Loss to Washington State in 2014 not counting in next year’s rankings. The 9.8 APR Score is amazing, and the 40 FBS wins are going to stay high. The Attendance score is a bit lacking at just 4.63, but overall, this is a solid ranking.
– Utah 2019 Team Preview

22. Texas A&M

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 81.106
2018 Ranking: 26
Biggest Positive: 10.19 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 50% conference wins
Analysis: The Aggies have been just okay on the field, but the fans continue to pack the house, the NFL talent is flowing through the program, and the 35 FBS wins aren’t all that bad. With Jimbo Fisher building things up, the future is bright – even though the current ranking isn’t all that bad.
– Texas A&M 2019 Team Preview

21. Oregon

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 81.158
2018 Ranking: 20
Biggest Positive: 5 Elite Win score
Biggest Negative: 58% conference wins
Analysis: Here’s the problem – the 13-2 run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2014 won’t count in next year’s rankings. Fortunately, Mario Cristobal has a monster team in place, the recruiting is great, and the current ranking isn’t all that bad with an impressive 19 wins over teams that finished with winning records. The fantastic Elite Win score of 5 helps the cause … for this year.
– Oregon 2019 Team Preview

20. TCU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 82.651
2018 Ranking: 30
Biggest Positive: 21 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 9.514 APR score
Analysis: Gary Patterson needs a big 2019 when the 12-1 2014 season not counting in next year’s rankings. The 42 FBS wins are amazing – with half of them against teams that finished with winning records – but the 4.47 Attendance score and 9.514 APR score are a little low.
– TCU 2019 Team Preview

19. Miami

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 84.092
2018 Ranking: 17
Biggest Positive: 14 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 35 FBS wins
Analysis: There’s nothing all that bad about winning 35 FBS games – a whole slew of programs would kill for that – but it’s a barrier to getting any higher. They’re the fewest of anyone in the top 35, but the Draft score is impressive, the 60% ACC wins are okay, and 19 Quality Wins are nice. But it’s Miami – there was a time in the early 2000s when the program ruled these rankings.
– Miami 2019 Team Preview

18. Florida

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 87.299
2018 Ranking: 19
Biggest Positive: 16.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 16 Quality Wins
Analysis: The 4-8 2013 season doesn’t count in the rankings anymore, but the 4-7 2017 run will be a problem for a while. The 37 FBS wins aren’t enough for the powerhouse program, and the 63% conference winning clip is just okay considering it’s supposed to own the East. Even with a few low numbers, the Gators are still in the top 20.
– Florida 2019 Team Preview

17. Washington

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 87.821
2018 Ranking: 22
Biggest Positive: 42 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 0 Elite Wins
Analysis: The Huskies have turned things around under Chris Petersen to become the Pac-12’s star program over the last few seasons, but there aren’t any Elite Wins. The massive Draft score of 12 and great APR score of 9.824 help the cause, but the 42 FBS wins are outstanding for a program that went 0-12 back in 2008.
– Washington 2019 Team Preview

16. Michigan State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 90.658
2018 Ranking: 10
Biggest Positive: 8 Elite Win score
Biggest Negative: 7 Draft score
Analysis: And to think, there’s a 3-9 2016 season added into the equation. Even with the clunker, the 41 FBS wins are excellent, the Elite Win score of 8 is amazing, and the 7.38 Attendance score is just good enough to overcome the okay Draft score that’s the lowest by anyone in the top 20.
– Michigan State 2019 Team Preview

15. Auburn

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 90.709
2018 Ranking: 11
Biggest Positive: 20 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 36 FBS wins
Analysis: Winning 36 FBS games is good, but everyone else in the top 17 has 40 or more. Only 12 programs have more than Auburn’s 20 Quality Wins, the Draft Score of 11 is strong, and the 4.5 Elite Win score helped keep the ranking in the top 15. Now the Tigers have to win more than 53% of their SEC games.
– Auburn 2019 Team Preview

14. Michigan

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 92.022
2018 Ranking: 18
Biggest Positive: 10.96 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 0 Elite Wins
Analysis: Michigan was way, way down the rankings not all that long ago, but with 43 FBS wins and the always-great APR and Attendance scores, the program is moving on up. However, the narrative that Jim Harbaugh can’t win the really, really big one comes through here with no Elite Wins – everyone in the top 16 has at least two.
– Michigan 2019 Team Preview

13. USC

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 92.979
2018 Ranking: 7
Biggest Positive: 43 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 19 Quality Wins
Analysis: Even with the mediocre 2018, the Trojans are still in the top 15 overall, helped by winning 69% of their Pac-12 games. The Draft score of 11 is outstanding, and the 43 FBS wins are great, but the 19 Quality Wins – while great by any normal standards – are among the fewest by anyone in the top 15.
– USC 2019 Team Preview

12. Boise State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 94.134
2018 Ranking: 15
Biggest Positive: 51 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 3.29 Attendance score
Analysis: Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama. Those are the only programs with more FBS wins over the last five seasons, and the 25 Quality Wins are amazing, too. The Bronco Attendance and Draft scores aren’t among the elite, but winning a whole lot of games, and taking home 80% of their Mountain West games, make up for them.
– Boise State 2019 Team Preview

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
Top 10 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: Top 10

T10. Penn State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 96.346
2018 Ranking: 14
Biggest Positive: 10.28 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 17 Quality Wins
Analysis: The Nittany Lions have won a whole lot of games 45 over the last five seasons – but the 17 Quality Wins are the fewest by far by anyone in the top 12. The 10.5 Draft score is great, the Attendance score is always a killer, and again, there are plenty of wins.
– Penn State 2019 Team Preview

T10. Notre Dame

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 96.346
2018 Ranking: 13
Biggest Positive: 23 Quality Wins
Biggest Negative: 1.5 Bad Loss score
Analysis: Michigan State 36, Notre Dame 28. That one Bad Loss at home in 2016 is the difference between the Irish being here and being just outside of the top five. The Irish have won 44 FBS games over the last five seasons, the 23 Quality Wins are huge, and the NFL is taking the stars in bulk.
– Notre Dame 2019 Team Preview

9. LSU

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 96.973
2018 Ranking: 12
Biggest Positive: 13.5 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 9.508 APR score
Analysis: The 40 FBS wins are among the fewest by anyone up in the top 15, but there are still a whole lot of wins from the program. The 22 Quality Wins are impressive, the 10.09 Attendance score is amazing, and only Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, Miami and Clemson have bigger Draft scores.
– LSU 2019 Team Preview

8. Stanford

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 97.853
2018 Ranking: 6
Biggest Positive: 46 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 4.54 Attendance score
Analysis: It’s amazing what this program has been able to do considering the academic and attendance restrictions. The Cardinal have won 71% of their Pac-12 games, they’re getting a whole lot of players drafted, and the 24 Quality Wins are among the best in the country.
– Stanford 2019 Team Preview

7. Wisconsin

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 100.453
2018 Ranking: 8
Biggest Positive: 52 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 8 Draft score
Analysis: It’s the only program in the top seven who hasn’t played in the College Football Playoff, but only Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama have won more FBS games. There aren’t a lot of Elite Wins – the score is just 2.5 – compared to the other top programs, but the 79% winning run in the Big Ten is impressive.
– Wisconsin 2019 Team Preview

6. Florida State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 100.487
2018 Ranking: 5
Biggest Positive: 6.5 Elite Win score
Biggest Negative: 9.432 APR Score
Analysis: This will probably be the last time FSU is in the high rent district for a while – the 2014 national title season won’t count in next year’s rankings. The 40 FBS wins are the fewest by anyone in the top 14, but the 6.5 Elite Win score and the huge 12.5 Draft score help overcome a few light areas.
– Florida State 2019 Team Preview

5. Georgia

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 108.363
2018 Ranking: 9
Biggest Positive: 73% conference wins
Biggest Negative: 4.5 Elite Win score
Analysis: The program has bumped up in a huge way under Kirby Smart, with 47 FBS wins, 27 Quality Wins, and with an amazing 73% winning run in SEC play over the last five years. The only nitpicking aspect is the 4.5 Elite Win score. That’s hardly awful, but it’s not even close to being as good as anyone else in the top six.
– Georgia 2019 Team Preview

4. Oklahoma

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 123.564
2018 Ranking: 4
Biggest Positive: 54 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 29 Quality Wins
Analysis: By any other standard, the 29 Quality Wins would be amazing, but they don’t come close compared to the top three programs. The 84% conference winning run in the Big 12 doesn’t hurt, and the rest of the scores across the board are excellent. However, OU is on a bit of an island score-wise in the No. 4 spot – well ahead of No. 5 Georgia, and way behind the top three.
– Oklahoma 2019 Team Preview

3. Clemson

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 145.412
2018 Ranking: 3
Biggest Positive: 60 FBS wins
Biggest Negative: 3.25 Bad Win score
Analysis: When you win two of the last three national championships – and come close to making it three of the last four – the overall numbers are going to be strong. The 44 Quality Wins are only behind Alabama, winning 90% of ACC games helps, and even the APR Score of 9.852 is outstanding. The Attendance score doesn’t measure up to the top two programs in the rankings, and the Draft score – 15 – lags behind.
– Clemson 2019 Team Preview

2. Ohio State

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 150.033
2018 Ranking: 2
Biggest Positive: 10.6 Attendance score
Biggest Negative: 36 Quality Wins
Analysis: Every number across the board is terrific. The 62 FBS wins are just one behind Alabama, the Elite Win score of 12 blows away everyone else, and the Draft score of 20 is second only behind the Tide. Even the APR Score of 9.776 is terrific. There’s no negative – the 36 Quality Wins are just behind Clemson’s 44 and Alabama’s 47 and is third overall.
– Ohio State 2019 Team Preview

1. Alabama

Five-Year Program Analysis Score: 160.395
2018 Ranking: 1
Biggest Positive: 23 Draft score
Biggest Negative: 2.75 Bad Win score
Analysis: Still the No. 1 overall program by far – even with the national title problems against Clemson over the last three seasons – the 63 FBS wins are the most, the 47 Quality Wins leads the nation, and winning 93% of the SEC games is ridiculous. If that wasn’t enough, the 9.81 APR score is great and the 10.16 Attendance score is outstanding.

And why is there so much success on the field? The Draft score of 23 obliterates everyone else – Ohio State is second with 20, and no one else is higher than 16.5.
– Alabama 2019 Team Preview

2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings
11-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
Ranking Categories Explained

NEXT: The rankings categories and how they’re determined

CFN Five-Year Program Analysis Rankings Categories

FBS Wins: Victories over FBS teams – no credit given for scheduling an FCS program.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By FBS Wins | By Conference

Attendance Score: This is what funds everything else. It’s the average of the attendance divided by 1,000 for the score – average 21,698 fans per game over five years, get a score of 2.17.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Attendance | By Conference

Quality Wins: Wins over FBS teams that finished with winning records.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Quality Wins | By Conference

Elite Wins: Wins over FBS teams that finished with two losses or fewer, or on the road over teams that finished with three losses or fewer. An extra 0.5 added for a win over a two-loss team on the road. Bowls count, too.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Elite Wins | By Conference

Bad Losses: Losses to FCS teams or to FBS teams that finished with three losses or fewer. An extra 0.5 taken away from a Bad Loss at home.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Bad Losses | By Conference

Bad Wins Score: Wins over FCS teams or to FBS teams that finished with three losses or fewer. Score is -0.25 per Bad Win.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Bad Wins | By Conference

Elite Loss Score: Losses to teams that finished a season with two losses or fewer. Score is +0.25 per Elite Loss.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Elite Losses | By Conference

Conference Win %: Self-explanatory. Total records are taken from independent teams.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By League Win % | By Conference

Draft Score: How many players were drafted by the NFL? Score is half the number of players drafted.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By Draft | By Conference

APR Score: The Academic Progress Rate. Score determined by an average of the last five years devised by 100.
Ranking Programs 1-130 By APR | By Conference

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here