The College Football News 2021 Independent preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team.
This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to finish. This is based on how good we think the Independent teams are going into the 2021 season.
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2021 CFN Independent Preseason Rankings
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Quick Take: There’s a consistency to the Irish now under Brian Kelly with four straight double-digit win seasons and five in the last six, and this year’s team should get there again with a schedule that’s a wee bit easier than it looks. The defensive ends are good, S Kyle Hamilton is great, and the success will be there on offense even if it’s more steady than sensational.
Notre Dame Preview | Schedule
2. Liberty Flames
Quick Take: Just about everyone is back, the skill guys around star QB Malik Willis are outstanding, and there’s a buzz after a breakthrough 2020. Talent-wise it’s a good team, but there’s a little national roll-slowing needing to be done when comparing it to the top 25ish Power Five programs. However, with the veterans in place – and with a manageable schedule – another one-loss season is a doable goal.
Liberty Preview | Schedule
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3. BYU Cougars
Quick Take: If was the common refrain last year – “But they didn’t play a Power Five program.” Well, now they do – it wasn’t the Cougars’ fault that no one wanted to play them, by the way – and without Zach Wilson under center. This is still a terrific team with plenty of great parts, but the schedule is tougher – seven Power Five teams on the slate – and there’s some reloading to do.
BYU Preview | Schedule
4. Army Black Knights
Quick Take: Expect a fantastic record thanks to a manageable schedule, but, as always, the O will control the clock and tempo against just about everyone. Also, as always, they’re going to be a very, very tough out for the better teams on the schedule.
Army Preview | Schedule
5. New Mexico State Aggies
Quick Take: The Aggies had the benefit of a spring preseason with a few games to see what they have in place to work with. The answers weren’t all that great, but they have a few explosive parts and should have just enough of an offense to pull off a few wins.
New Mexico Preview | Schedule
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6. UConn Huskies
Quick Take: After not playing last year, this is almost a new team in several spots around a few terrific parts. There are just enough good players to build around, but it’s going to be a rough, rough run saved by two FCS games and a few more winnable dates.
UConn Preview | Schedule
7. UMass Minutemen
Quick Take: The bar is set at just scoring. The Minutemen went 0-4 last year against four Group of Five programs, and they were outscored 161-12 with just one touchdown. The defensive side has some decent parts, but it’s going to be a bloodbath offensively over the first half of the season before things ease up.
UMass Preview | Schedule
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