By Mark Pszonak
Losses happen, but when they do it is important to get back in the winning column as quickly as possible. However, these four programs enter the 2025 season with the longest losing streaks in the country. Here is a look at each of the four and when they will finally be victorious.
1. Kent State (21)
The skinny: Kent State hasn’t won a game since September 16, 2023, when they beat FCS Central Connecticut State at home 38-10. Since then, it has been mostly ugly and included an FCS home loss to St. Francis (PA) last season.
When Will It End: Once you lose a home game to St. Francis (PA) it gets difficult trying to figure out when the next win is coming. But it better come in the season opener on August 30th against FCS Merrimack, because the remaining out-of-conference schedule includes Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Florida State. In the MAC, the Golden Flashes do play three other bottom teams from 2024 (Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Akron), but they also managed to lose to each of these three last season. It all comes down to Merrimack, which I think they’ll squeak by with a victory.
2. Purdue (11)
The skinny: The 5-19 Ryan Walters era is over in West Lafayette, so there is hope that the Boilermakers can quickly turn the page with new head coach Barry Odom. Last season, a promising 49-0 victory over FCS Indiana State was followed by 11 straight losses, many of which were ugly.
When Will It End: The Boilermakers start the 2025 season with home games against Ball State and then FCS Southern Illinois. The streak needs to end there, because the rest of the schedule is extremely difficult with USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana lurking. Barry Odom will be favored to win his first game as a Purdue head coach against Ball State, which finished 3-9 last season, and he and the Boilermakers will get the job done.
3. Southern Miss (10)
The skinny: Not much went well during the Golden Eagles’ 1-11 2025 season and included a coaching change mid-season. New Head Coach Charles Huff, who arrives from Marshall did well in the portal, which should give the program and immediate boost.
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When Will It End: After their season opener at Mississippi State, the opportunity for a victory will be staring Southern Miss in the face when FCS Jackson State comes to down. And I think they’ll get the job done there. Other opportunities will arise throughout the season in what should be a relatively open Conference USA season.
4. Oklahoma State (9)
The skinny: Prior to the 2024 season, the Cowboys had won at least seven games since 2005, so the fact that they currently have a nine-game losing streak is amazing. All nine of the losses came in the Big 12, including four at home.
When Will It End: Luckily for the Cowboys, they open the season at home against FCS Tennessee-Martin, which despite finishing 9-5 in 2024, lost their only FBS game 41-6 at Kansas State. So, the losing streak should end before September. Oklahoma State will be heavily favored and they better win, because their second game is at Oregon.
