By Mark Pszonak
College football consistently sees the ebbs and flows of programs, while a limited few have the luxury of always being elite. For the rest they have to fight to try and get to this level. Here are four programs that are on the right trajectory:
1. Texas Tech
The program is on stable footing, especially since head coach Joey McGuire took control in 2022. Since then the Red Raiders have gone 23-16 and made three bowls, but is the program now ready to take the next step? Yes, they are. One reason is due to McGuire’s leadership, which has proven to be very successful. He has also quickly established a positive culture in Lubbock. While all of this is very helpful towards taking the next step, the main reason that Texas Tech is in this position is $$$. And we are talking about lots of $$$. The Red Raiders have significant donors who aren’t bashful in helping the program, as has been shown in their impressive transfer recruiting class. Expect this to continue, and because of that expect Texas Tech’s rise to also continue.
2. Arizona State
If you mentioned Arizona State on a list like this a year ago, you’d likely be called insane, but today it makes sense. It shows everyone how quickly everything can change, while also showing what a dynamic young coach can do to a program. Considering how long he has coached and how much he has already accomplished; it is difficult to believe that Kenny Dillingham is still only 35 years old. As a first-time head coach at his alma mater, he has quickly made the Sun Devils relevant nationally, which was proven during the 2024 season when he unexpectedly guided Arizona State to the playoffs. Now the job of keeping them relevant begins. While Arizona State doesn’t possess unlimited funds for NIL, they have proven to be aggressive in the portal while also being able to retain elite players, such as quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. As long as Dillingham is in Tempe, Arizona State will be a program to reckon with.
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3. SMU
In its first season after a move to the P4 level, SMU produced one of the biggest surprises of 2024 which resulted in a trip to the playoffs. The Mustangs haven’t had a losing season since 2018, and have enjoyed a 54-22 stretch during that time, so they’ve experienced success, but not at this level. SMU has long been a program with an explosive offense, which has continued under the current leadership of head coach Rhett Lashlee. On top of that, they have become one of the more aggressive and successful programs in the transfer portal, which had a direct connection to their level of success in 2024. Will and can they continue this? They likely can, due to the financial options that have come their way since the world of NIL was unleashed. On top of that, with the ACC still being mostly top heavy, the opportunity has presented itself to a program like SMU to take advantage of their favorable situation. And my assumption is that they will continue to do so.
4. BYU
Similar to Texas Tech, BYU has made the most of the current state of NIL lawlessness. With no guidelines in place, the Cougars have the financial means to take advantage of the situation. And they have done so, but to this point that has mostly been in basketball. So, why are they on this list for football? Because the Cougars have boosters like Paul Liljenquist, who recently stated after BYU grabbed the commitment of the top-rated high school basketball recruit in the country, A.J. Dybantsa, that “You’re not going to outbid us.” With BYU finding success in basketball, it is only a matter of time that they turn their attention to football. And when they do, it very easily can take what is already a quality program, to the next level.
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