Division II Powerhouse Ferris State Ranks Above 18 FBS Programs

While most college football rankings systems focus on the major conferences, ESPN’s SP+ rankings offer a unique, predictive look at all levels of the game. Created by Bill Connelly in 2008, the system measures a team’s efficiency by adjusting for tempo and opponent, making it a forward-looking tool rather than a resume-based ranking. The latest version of these rankings, after two weeks of the college football season, has produced some interesting surprises.

At the top, Oregon and Ohio State are unsurprisingly ranked first and second. However, a one-loss Alabama team sits at number three, a testament to the predictive nature of the SP+ system. The first Group of Five team to appear is Memphis at #39, while the first FCS team is North Dakota State, the defending national champions, at #40.

The biggest surprise for many, however, is the high ranking of the top Division II program: Ferris State. The Bulldogs, led by coach Tony Annese, have an explosive offense, a creative defense, and innovative special teams. Ferris State is ranked an impressive 128th overall, placing them ahead of 18 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs. The teams ranked below Ferris State include Central Michigan, Southern Miss, Marshall, Nevada, and Ball State, among others. Other Division II programs like Harding and West Florida also appear above the lowest-ranked FBS schools.

This high ranking is particularly remarkable given the significant roster turnover for Ferris State this year. They lost their top two rushers, their leading passer, both starting offensive tackles, and several other key players. Their former quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, even went on to play a key role for Ole Miss in a recent win over Kentucky. Despite these losses, Ferris State opened their season with a commanding 34-17 win over a top 10 Division II team and a 63-6 rout on the road. The SP+ system’s ability to value a team’s underlying efficiency and consistent program quality has once again highlighted the Bulldogs’ dominance in Division II and beyond.