Week 0 gave us a wild entry into the 2025 D2 football season, but Week 1 is where things really begin to take shape. 

• Subscribe To FloCollege To Watch Division 2 Football In 2025
• Eight Bold Predictions For 2025 D2 Football Season
• FloCollege D2 Football Team Of The Week - Week 0
• D2 Football Rankings 2025 Week 1: Ferris State, GVSU Win; UTPB, CWU Climb

Many teams still haven't played a game, and others are still shaking off the rust. Stars have started to form, and the soap opera that is D2 football has begun to spin its tale.

The Top 25 is due for a shakeup, so let's take stock of what's head and what we know so far. 

Here are the biggest questions heading into Week 1 of the season.

Is Central Washington A Legit D2 Title Contender In 2025?

• It's early, but right now, Central Washington looks like one of the most complete teams in D2 football. The Wildcats put together a massive offensive game against Colorado Mesa, while remaining balanced. 
• CWU had 292 total rushing yards, of which 135 came from Kennedy McGill. They also had 224 passing yards. Not to be outdone, the CWU defense allowed Mesa to score only 14 points, and gain three total first downs in the game. 
• One of the more interesting things about Central Washington is that their schedule is an absolute gauntlet. 
• They play in the Lone Star Conference, one of the best in D2. But they also travel more than nearly any other team in the Division (I don't have exact figures). This season, they will head from Washington to Texas/New Mexico four times this year, and out of the Pacific Time zone five times. 
• This will either steel them over the season, or become a fight against attrition.

Can Slippery Rock & Harding Keep Pace With Ferris State & GVSU?

• The short answer is yes. Until proven otherwise, Slippery Rock and Harding can keep up with Top 5 teams like GVSU and Ferris State. 
• FloCollege has Harding ranked No. 2 and Slippery Rock ranked No. 4 in the Week 1 rankings. Both teams open their season this week. 
• One difference between the two teams is QB turnover. Harding retains their quarterback Cole Keylon, but Slippery Rock's quarterback from last year, Brayden Long, has graduated. 
• Slippery Rock was 7th in passing yards in 2024.
• Of course, Harding famously runs the triple option, and had a D2-leading 818 rushing attempts last season, nearly 200 more than the next team. 
• Slippery Rock opens the season against Franklin Pierce, who went 5-5 in 2024 (watch the game on FloCollege)
• Harding opens their campaign against Northwestern Oklahoma State, who went 2-9 in 2024.

How High Is UTPB Football's Ceiling After Their Week 0 Upset?

• It would be easy to say UTPB's win against Central Oklahoma was an aberration, but was it? Let's put it in perspective. 
• UCO lost twice last year, once to Pitt State in the middle of the season, and once to end their season against eventual national champions, Ferris State. 
• In terms of yards per game, the Bronchos had the top offense last season. They retained their 3,500-yard quarterback Jett Huff, and their 1200-yard rusher, Jaylen Cottrell. They did lose a massive talent in Terrill Davis (1,600 yards, 15 TDs), who transferred to Oklahoma State.
• So what happened? Well, they were dismantled by the UTPB defense.
  • UCO's offense, one of the most productive in D2 last year, looked completely out of rhythm.
  • UTPB’s defense set the tone early, holding UCO to just 5 total yards on their first four drives.
  • The Bronchos managed only two touchdowns, both on quick strikes, while six drives ended in three-and-outs.
  • UCO was forced to punt eight times, and turned the ball over four times (2 INTs, 2 on downs).
  • Outside of the two scoring drives, they averaged just 15.8 yards per possession.
• So, what is UTPB's ceiling? It remains to be seen, but if the defense has taken a step forward, watch out. 

Is Jack Strand The Best Quarterback In D2 Football?

• While MSU Moorhead struggled at times against a Northern Michigan team that hasn't won a game since 2022, Jack Strand looked every bit as advertised.
• He threw for six touchdowns and completed 35 of 48 passes — good for a 73 percent completion rate.
• After a slow start — with a three-and-out, an interception, and a turnover on downs on the first three drives — Strand led touchdown drives on six of the next eight possessions.
• MSUM finished with six passing touchdowns, no sacks allowed, and multiple scoring drives of 60+ yards, including two 75-yard possessions.
• Strand showed strong volume and accuracy, putting together one of the more impressive quarterback performances in Week 1 of D2.

Will Northern Michigan Snap Their 1,000+ Day Losing Streak This Week?

• I believe, in the year of our Lord Twenty-Twenty-Five, the Northern Michigan Wildcats have a chance to win this week against Northwood.
• Watch it on FloCollege.

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings 2025: Week 1

1. Ferris State (Prev. 1)
2. Harding (Prev. 2)
3. Grand Valley State (Prev. 3)
4. Slippery Rock (Prev. 4)
5. Virginia Union (Prev. 9)
6. West Florida (Prev. 7)
7. Valdosta State (Prev. 5)
8. Angelo State (Prev. 10)
9. Western Colorado (Prev. 14)
10. Minnesota State (Prev. 11)
11. Kutztown (Prev. 8)
12. Indianapolis (Prev. 15)
13. Charleston (WV) (Prev. 12)
14. CSU Pueblo (Prev. 13)
15. UT Permian Basin (Prev. NR)
16. Central Washington (Prev. NR)
17. Pittsburg State (Prev. 16)
18. West Alabama (Prev. 20)
19. Ouachita Baptist (Prev. 18)
20. Central Oklahoma (Prev. 6)
21. Bemidji State (Prev. 17)
22. Truman (Prev. 23)
23. Lenoir–Rhyne (Prev. 19)
24. Michigan Tech (Prev. NR)
25. Wingate (Prev. NR)

Also received votes: 

MSU Moorhead, Emory & Henry, Central Missouri, Colorado Mines, Catawba, Delta State, Minnesota Duluth, Augustana (SD), Sioux Falls

D2 College Football Week 1 Games 2025

Thursday, September 4, 2025

• 6:00 p.m. ET – Charleston (WV) vs California (PA)
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Tiffin vs Wayne State (MI)
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Clarion vs West Virginia Wesleyan
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Southern Nazarene vs Henderson State
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Frostburg State vs Millersville
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Oklahoma Baptist vs Southern Arkansas
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Harding vs Northwestern Oklahoma
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Assumption vs Kutztown
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Arkansas–Monticello vs Southeastern Oklahoma
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Ashland vs Indiana (PA)
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Arkansas Tech vs Southwestern Oklahoma
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Pace vs East Stroudsburg
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Bloomsburg vs Fairmont State
• 8:00 p.m. ET – Fort Hays State vs CSU Pueblo
• 8:00 p.m. ET – Ouachita Baptist vs East Central
• 8:00 p.m. ET – Michigan Tech vs South Dakota Mines
• 9:00 p.m. ET – Colorado School of Mines vs West Texas A&M

Friday, September 5, 2025

• 6:00 p.m. ET – Slippery Rock vs Franklin Pierce

Saturday, September 6, 2025

• 12:00 p.m. ET – Northern Michigan vs Northwood
• 12:00 p.m. ET – West Alabama vs Chowan
• 12:00 p.m. ET – Thomas More vs Dayton
• 12:00 p.m. ET – Barton vs West Virginia State
• 12:00 p.m. ET – UIndy vs Findlay
• 12:00 p.m. ET – Valdosta State vs Johnson C. Smith
• 12:00 p.m. ET – Lincoln (PA) vs Duquesne
• 12:00 p.m. ET – West Chester vs Bentley
• 1:00 p.m. ET – West Florida vs Kentucky Wesleyan
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Bowie State vs Shippensburg
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Catawba vs Emory & Henry
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Erskine vs Anderson (SC)
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Seton Hill vs West Liberty
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Concord vs Bluefield State
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Hillsdale vs McKendree
• 1:00 p.m. ET – Truman State vs Butler
• 1:30 p.m. ET – Ferrum vs VMI
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Ferris State vs Lake Erie
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Jamestown vs Augustana (SD)
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Quincy vs Roosevelt
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Minot State vs Minnesota State
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Gannon vs Saginaw Valley
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Northwest Missouri State vs Washburn
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Bemidji State vs Winona State
• 2:00 p.m. ET – Albany State (GA) vs Kentucky State
• 3:00 p.m. ET – Lincoln (MO) vs Lane
• 3:00 p.m. ET – Florida Memorial vs Clark Atlanta
• 3:00 p.m. ET – Miles vs Edward Waters
• 3:05 p.m. ET – Southern Oregon vs Western Oregon
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Elizabeth City State vs Hampton
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Livingstone vs Allen
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Walsh vs Wheeling
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Virginia State vs Norfolk State
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Lenoir-Rhyne vs Tusculum
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Shorter vs Savannah State
• 5:00 p.m. ET – MSU Moorhead vs Southwest Minnesota State
• 5:00 p.m. ET – St. Anselm vs Merrimack
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Fayetteville State vs UNC Pembroke
• 5:00 p.m. ET – Glenville State vs Lock Haven
• 5:00 p.m. ET – American International vs Central Connecticut State
• 5:30 p.m. ET – Winston-Salem vs Mars Hill
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Black Hills State vs Grand Valley State
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Central State (OH) vs Tuskegee
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Missouri S&T vs Northeastern State
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Missouri Southern State vs Southwest Baptist
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Mary vs Wayne State (NE)
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Emporia State vs Angelo State
• 6:00 p.m. ET – Northern State vs Sioux Falls
• 6:30 p.m. ET – Minnesota Duluth vs Concordia–St. Paul
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Western Colorado vs Midwestern State
• 7:00 p.m. ET – UT Permian Basin vs Adams State
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Western New Mexico vs New Mexico Highlands
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Eastern New Mexico vs Colorado Mesa
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Pittsburg State vs Central Oklahoma
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Lincoln (CA) vs Texas A&M–Kingsville
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Central Washington vs Montana
• 7:00 p.m. ET – Chadron State vs Nebraska–Kearney
• 9:00 p.m. ET – Fort Lewis vs Arizona Christian

Watch Lenoir-Rhyne Vs. West Florida From Week 0

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