If you only follow the FBS, you’re basically missing the most chaotic, high-stakes football in the country. Seriously. While the big schools are busy arguing about TV revenue and transfer portal tampering, the D2 world just finished a season that felt like a fever dream. The final football rankings division 2 for the 2025 season aren’t just a list of names; they’re a roadmap of a year where a powerhouse became a dynasty and the "little guys" nearly flipped the script.
Ferris State. 16-0. Let that sink in for a second.
No team in the modern era of college ball—Division I or II—had ever hit that perfect 16-0 mark until the Bulldogs steamrolled Harding 42-21 in McKinney, Texas, this past December. It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. Tony Annese has built something in Big Rapids that feels less like a college program and more like a buzzsaw.
The Final Top 10 Breakdown
When you look at the final AFCA and D2Football.com polls, you see the usual suspects, but the way they got there was anything but usual. Harding came into that title game looking like world-beaters. They’d been punishing people with that triple-option all year, but Ferris State basically said, "Cool story," and put up over 360 rushing yards on them.
Honestly, the gap between the top three and everyone else was a canyon this year.
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- Ferris State (1) and Harding (2): These two were the undisputed heavyweights. Harding's only loss was the big one at the end.
- Kutztown (3): The Golden Bears are legit. They finished 14-1, with their only blemish being a semifinal heartbreaker against Harding. They dominated the PSAC and proved that the East is still a powerhouse.
- Pittsburg State (4): The Gorillas always show up. Despite a few mid-season stumbles, they clawed back into the top five by the time the dust settled.
- Indianapolis (5): UIndy had a massive year, finishing 11-2 and proving that the GLVC isn't just a one-team conference.
The rest of the top ten—Newberry, Minnesota State, Central Washington, Northwest Missouri State, and Ashland—basically spent the last month of the season in a circular firing squad. Every Saturday felt like an elimination game.
Why the Rankings Are Kinda Controversial
Rankings in D2 are a different beast than the AP Poll you see on ESPN. You've got the AFCA Coaches Poll, which is the "official" one, and then you've got the Regional Rankings. Here’s the kicker: the Regional Rankings are the only ones that actually matter for the playoffs.
People get mad. Every year.
You’ll have a team like Johnson C. Smith going 10-2 and winning their conference, but if their "Strength of Schedule" isn't high enough, the committee might leave them at the #3 or #4 seed in their region. It feels unfair, especially when a two-loss team from the MIAA or the GLIAC gets a higher spot. But that’s the reality of D2 football. The conferences aren't equal. If you're playing in the GLIAC or the Gulf South, your "quality losses" carry a ton of weight.
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Take Grand Valley State. They finished the regular season with three losses, which would usually bury a team. But because those losses were to top-tier programs, they stayed relevant in the football rankings division 2 conversation much longer than a one-loss team from a weaker conference.
The Harlon Hill Factor
You can't talk about the rankings without talking about the stars. Curtis Allen, the running back from Virginia Union, took home the Harlon Hill Trophy this year. He was a human highlight reel. When a team has a Harlon Hill finalist, they inevitably climb the polls because they're simply "must-watch" TV. Allen’s ability to carry the Panthers to a 10-2 record kept them in the top 20 all season, even when the rest of the roster was struggling with injuries.
The "Super Region" Chaos
D2 is split into four Super Regions. This is where the rankings get truly messy.
Super Region One (the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) was dominated by Kutztown and Virginia Union. But Super Region Three? That was a bloodbath. You had Ferris State, Grand Valley, UIndy, and the Northern Sun (NSIC) schools all fighting for air.
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Then you have Super Region Four, which is basically the "Land of the Giants." Harding, Pittsburg State, and the RMAC schools like CSU Pueblo and Western Colorado.
Wait, what about the Gulf South? The GSC, usually the king of D2, had a "down" year by their standards. West Florida was the lone bright spot for a while, but even they couldn't keep up with the pace set by the Great American Conference (GAC) this time around. It’s a cyclical thing, but seeing the GSC without a team in the final four felt... wrong.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We're already seeing the "Way-Too-Early" projections. Ferris State is obviously the favorite to repeat (again). They return Wyatt Bower at QB, who was basically a cheat code in the playoffs. He threw for two scores and ran for three in the championship game. How do you even scout that?
But keep an eye on the transfer portal. D2 is becoming a destination for "bounce-back" players from the FBS and FCS. A team like Central Washington or Augustana could easily jump five spots in the pre-season football rankings division 2 just by landing a couple of Power 5 transfers who want playing time.
Also, watch the coaching carousel. We just saw Michael Engle take over at Saginaw Valley State and Matt Janus move to Northern Michigan. Those kinds of shifts can turn a conference upside down in a single off-season.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Don't trust the early polls: The September rankings are mostly based on last year's vibes. Wait until the first Regional Rankings come out in late October to see who the committee actually likes.
- Watch the "Strength of Schedule" (SOS): If a team is 5-0 but hasn't played anyone with a winning record, they’re going to plummet the moment they hit conference play.
- Follow D2Football.com: The coaches' poll is okay, but the guys at D2Football.com actually watch the film and know the rosters inside out. Their "Elite 100" list is usually a better indicator of team strength than the AFCA poll.
- Check the injuries: D2 rosters aren't as deep as the SEC. Losing one All-American linebacker can take a top-10 team and turn them into a .500 team overnight.
The 2025 season was a historic one, mostly because of that 16-0 run by Ferris State. But the beauty of D2 is that every year, some school you’ve barely heard of—like Newberry or Johnson C. Smith this year—makes a run and reminds everyone why this level of the game is so special.