BY: Jim Williams
Capital Sports Network
The DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) is home to some of the most passionate college football fanbases in the country. With powerhouse programs and rising contenders, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining year for the region. So, who will emerge as the top college football team in the DMV?
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Let’s break down the contenders: Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison, and Liberty.
Maryland Terrapins: Rebuilding in the Big Ten
- 2025 Outlook: Bowl eligibility is a stretch
- Key Players: WR Jalil Farooq, QB Justyn Martin
- Challenges: Maryland returns just three offensive starters and lost key defensive veterans. The offensive line is thin, and the defense ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in 2024.
- Prediction: 4–8 record, missing bowl eligibility again
Virginia Cavaliers: Bowl Bound and Rising
- 2025 Outlook: 6–6 or better
- Key Players: QB Chandler Morris, LB Kam Robinson
- Strengths: Favorable schedule, strong transfer class, and improved quarterback play. Virginia could win 3–4 non-conference games and pull off an upset in ACC play.
- Prediction: Bowl eligibility with 6–7 wins
Virginia Tech Hokies: ACC Title Dark Horse
- 2025 Outlook: 8–4 or better
- Key Players: QB Kyron Drones, WR Ayden Greene, LB Joseph Carter
- Strengths: Deep receiver room, strong linebacker corps, and a favorable schedule. The Hokies are projected to win key matchups against Wake Forest, Old Dominion, and NC State.
- Prediction: 8–4 with potential to crack the AP Top 25
James Madison Dukes: Sun Belt Powerhouse
- 2025 Outlook: 10–2 and Sun Belt Champions
- Key Players: QB Alonza Barnett III, RB George Pettaway, DB Jacob Thomas
- Strengths: Deep roster, elite run game, and top-tier defense. JMU is favored to win the Sun Belt and could be a Group of Five playoff contender.
- Prediction: 10–2 with a shot at the College Football Playoff
Liberty Flames: Easiest Schedule, Big Expectations
- 2025 Outlook: 9–3 or better
- Key Players: QB Ethan Vasko, WR Elijah Canion, LB Joseph Carter
- Strengths: Liberty has one of the easiest schedules in the country and returns key starters. They’re favored in nearly every game and could go undefeated.
- Prediction: 9–3 with a Conference USA title run
Navy football is sailing into the 2025 season with serious momentum—and high expectations. After a stunning 10–3 campaign in 2024 that included wins over Air Force, Army, and Oklahoma, the Midshipmen are being touted as one of the top contenders in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Navy
- Projected Record: 9–3 or better
- Key Goals:
- Defend the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy
- Win the AAC Championship
- Earn a New Year’s Six bowl bid
Why Navy Could Dominate Again
- Returning Talent:
- QB Blake Horvath is back after rushing for 1,200+ yards and throwing 13 TDs
- RBs Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich return with over 1,000 combined rushing yards
- Offensive line continuity boosts their triple-option attack
- Offensive Scheme:
- Navy’s “Millennial Wing-T” blends traditional option football with modern RPO concepts
- Ranked 6th nationally in rushing and 3rd in yards per completion last season
Defensive Concerns
- Departures:
- Lost star safety Rayuan Lane to the NFL and top corner Dashaun Peele
- Strengths:
- Solid front seven and improved pass rush
- Discipline and physicality remain core strengths
Key Matchups
| Date | Opponent | Location | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 4 | Air Force | Annapolis, MD | CIC Trophy showdown |
| Nov 8 | Notre Dame | South Bend, IN | National spotlight test |
| Dec 13 | Army | Baltimore, MD | Historic rivalry finale |
Navy is favored in most of its early games and could start the season 7–1 before hitting a tough November stretch.
Navy Is a Legit AAC Title Contender
With a seasoned quarterback, a dynamic run game, and a disciplined system, Navy is poised to be one of college football’s best stories in 2025. If the defense holds up and Horvath stays healthy, don’t be surprised if the Midshipmen crash the College Football Playoff conversation.
Want a breakdown of Navy’s schedule or a comparison with Army and Air Force? I can chart it out for you.
Final Verdict: James Madison Leads the DMV in 2025
When it comes to dominance, consistency, and playoff potential, James Madison University is the clear front-runner in the DMV for 2025. With a deep roster, elite coaching, and national respect, the Dukes are poised to be the region’s biggest football winner.
Virginia Tech and Liberty aren’t far behind, while Virginia looks bowl-bound. Maryland, however, faces a tough rebuild in the Big Ten.
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