In the wild, ever-changing world of college football, making it into the AP Top 25 Poll is a huge deal. Every team wants that moment, but for some, it’s been out of reach for what feels like forever.
North Texas just broke a 66-year drought, landing at #22 in the AP Poll—a spot they hadn’t seen since 1959. That’s a big win for the Mean Green, but plenty of programs are still waiting for their own breakthrough.
So, who’s still chasing the dream? Let’s take a look at the longest active Top 25 droughts in college football. Some of these teams have come close, others not so much, but all of them have stories worth telling.
Southern Miss: A Rollercoaster Journey
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have definitely had their ups and downs. They managed to stick around the AP Poll across five different decades, with the late 1990s standing out as a highlight.
In 2011, they popped back in at #25 after starting 8-1. A loss to UAB knocked them out, but then they beat #7 Houston in the Conference USA championship and jumped to #24.
They closed the year with a win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl, finishing at #22. Since then, though, they’ve been missing from the rankings.
Nevada: A Brief Resurgence
Nevada’s football program had a quick taste of the spotlight in 2010. After going 4-0, they slid into the Top 25 at #25 and climbed as high as #19 before losing to Hawaii.
They bounced back, finished 13-1, and grabbed the #11 spot in the final poll. That momentum faded fast, and they haven’t found their way back since.
UConn: A Short-Lived Celebration
The UConn Huskies first cracked the AP Poll in 2007 under Randy Edsall. They made it back in 2010, ending at #25 after an 8-4 season and a share of the Big East title.
But a tough loss to #9 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl knocked them out of the final poll. UConn hasn’t really come close to repeating that run.
Hawaii: Peaks and Valleys
Hawaii snapped a long AP Poll drought in 2006 and then spent all of 2007 in the rankings. In 2010, they briefly returned, reaching #24 after a 10-3 season.
But a blowout loss to Tulsa in the Hawaii Bowl ended their Top 25 hopes. The Rainbow Warriors have been on the outside looking in ever since.
Central Michigan: A Historic Achievement
Central Michigan’s football history goes way back to 1896, but they never made the Top 25 until 2009. That year, they debuted at #25 after going 11-1 and winning the MAC championship.
They beat Troy in the GMAC Bowl and finished at #23. Those are still the only two times the Chippewas have been ranked.
UTEP: A Brief Glimpse of Success
UTEP hasn’t spent much time in the Top 25—just six weeks in total. Five of those came in 2004, marking their first-ever appearance.
They made a quick return in 2005, but a string of losses sent them tumbling out. The Miners haven’t managed to get back since.
Bowling Green: Flirting with the Top 25
Bowling Green had short stints in the Top 25 in 1973 and 1985, but 2003 was their real breakthrough. They peaked at #15 during a seven-week run and finished at #22.
They returned in 2004, but a loss to Toledo ended the fun. No Top 25 appearances since then.
Miami (OH): The Big Ben Era
Miami (OH) had a strong run in the 1970s, often making the Top 25. They made a splash in 2003, thanks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, finishing 13-1 and ranked #10.
After Roethlisberger left for the NFL, though, the RedHawks just haven’t been able to recapture that magic.
Wyoming: Sporadic Success
Wyoming’s football program has had its moments. In 1996, they spent 12 weeks in the Top 25, and then made a brief return in 1998 after starting 8-1.
But back-to-back losses to Air Force and Tulsa knocked them out. The Cowboys have been searching for another shot ever since.
Rice: A Historic Drought
Rice University holds one of the longest active Top 25 droughts in college football. Their last time in the rankings came in 1961, when they reached #7 after beating #5 LSU.
But a loss to Georgia Tech dropped them out, and Rice hasn’t been back since. That’s a long wait, isn’t it?
New Mexico: A Legacy of Waiting
The University of New Mexico holds a strange sort of record. It’s one of the oldest football programs that’s never cracked the AP Top 25.
The Lobos started playing way back in 1892. Even with all those years, they’ve never managed to sneak into the rankings—not even once.
Meanwhile, New Mexico State had a flash of glory in 1960. They spent five weeks in the Top 25, even reaching #14 for a hot second.
But since then? Not a single appearance in the rankings for 65 years. That’s a long stretch of waiting—and probably a lot of hoping, too.
If you’re curious about which teams have waited the longest for a Top 25 spot, check out the full article here.
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