Forecasting the trajectory of a college football program has grown more complex. Lineups and results shift quickly, while paths to titles have widened. The strengths that elevate a squad in 2026 may vanish by 2027.

Most athletes move on after one year, with only rare cases of extended stays (consider Duke). Top high school classes can lift prospects, yet holding units intact long enough for growth and on-field results remains difficult.

Assessment standards for squads through the 2027 campaign stay consistent: roster handling covers recruiting success and portal additions. Next comes the quarterback picture, where multi-year starters stand out, though portal competition also factors in. Miami illustrates the approach of securing elite transfers yearly at any cost. Emphasis falls on offensive and defensive front performance, given how critical trench play proved in the latest College Football Playoff.

Previews before the 2025 season proved mixed. Top-rated Texas fell short of the CFP for the first time since 2022, though the Longhorns retain time to adjust. Programs such as Oregon (No. 4), Notre Dame (No. 5) and Miami (No. 11) posted solid results, while Indiana (No. 20) surpassed forecasts to claim its initial national crown. Shortfalls occurred near the top with Nos. 6-9 Penn State, Clemson, LSU and Tennessee, plus lower entries like Nos. 63-64 Wake Forest and Arizona.

Teams receive review across these areas:

Quarterback room
Offensive line and defensive line prospects
Roster handling
Elite talent (All-Americans, national award hopefuls, all-conference candidates)
Coaching group

Below is an assessment of every Power 4 program through 2027 using the Future Power Rankings framework:

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68. Boston College Eagles

Previous future power ranking: 47

QB situation: Following a 2-10 campaign, the quarterback group saw major turnover, prompting Boston College to turn to Division II and Saginaw Valley State's Mason McKenzie. He succeeded Trinidad Chambliss as Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2025 and offers versatility, highlighted by 942 rushing yards and 10 scores the prior fall. The Eagles also welcomed Arkansas transfer Grayson Wilson and signed two signal-callers in the latest class.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Head coach Bill O'Brien expressed optimism about both fronts after spring drills. The defensive end group shows promise with KJ Sampson (Florida State), Kris Jones (Georgia) and Demetrius Ballard (Buffalo) each holding multiple years remaining. They pair with Onye Nwosisi, who sat out most of the prior season due to injury. Interior linemen Micah Amedee and Cameron McGee represent young talent set to contribute in 2027 and later. "The defensive line has improved," O'Brien noted. Senior guard Kristian Phillips arrives with starting experience from Michigan State to bolster the offensive front. Jacksonville State transfer Reggie Jackson adds depth, while center Michael Crounse returns with two years left.

Roster management: O'Brien prefers to avoid heavy portal dependence, yet the Eagles pursued significant activity this offseason. Several contributors departed for Power 4 schools, such as running back Turbo Richard (Indiana), wide receiver Reed Harris (Arizona State) and guard Eryx Daugherty (Louisville). Additions targeted both lines and the backfield, where Evan Dickens arrives after ranking No. 3 nationally in rushing average. McKenzie offers potential multi-year stability at quarterback. New general manager Kenyatta Watson brings Southern ties to expand recruiting beyond the Northeast.

Star power: The defense can again center on KP Price, who started primarily at safety and three games at linebacker, topping the squad with 94 tackles plus two interceptions and three quarterback hurries. He earned honorable mention All-ACC. The backfield gained Dickens, a Liberty transfer who ranked No. 9 nationally with 1,339 rushing yards in 2025.

Coaching staff: O'Brien's third year in Chestnut Hill features notable new assistants on each side. Veteran defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who collaborated with O'Brien at Penn State and Duke, leads a unit that ranked 121st nationally in points allowed (32.8 ppg). The program lost offensive coordinator Will Lawning to the NFL and added Joe Dailey (receivers) and Kurt Anderson (offensive line).

67. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous future power ranking: 67

QB situation: Ryan Browne returns after pacing the squad with 2,153 passing yards on 199 completions last season. Main competitor Malachi Singleton moved to Appalachian State, leaving Browne as the clear QB1 through at least 2026. He threw more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) and owns a career 58.8% completion rate, indicating growth potential. Limited depth sits behind him.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: The offensive front resets under new coach Zach Crabtree and several fresh options. Purdue lost Bradyn Joiner (Florida State) and Hank Purvis (South Carolina) via the portal and returns just one 2025 starter in left tackle Joey Tanona. Additions include transfers from both USCs, boosting overall depth. The defensive line lost standout tackle Jamarrion Harkless to Kentucky yet received positive spring feedback, with veterans Ian Jeffries and CJ Madden returning alongside Georgia edge transfer Elo Modozie and Illinois tackle Curt Neal. Junior college All-America Jeremy Lewis should strengthen the pass rush.

Roster management: Turnover ahead of coach Barry Odom's second season proves less drastic than year one. Purdue added 29 players and lost 20, including multiple linemen to Power 4 schools and wide receiver Nitro Tuggle to South Carolina. Newcomers target both lines, while running back Fame Ijeboi (Minnesota) and wide receivers Xavier Townsend (Iowa State) and Asaad Waseem (Florida Atlantic) bring offensive skill. Linebacker Charles Correa stayed, and freshmen such as wideout Brandon Kinsey add intrigue.

Star power: Correa, who arrived with Odom from UNLV, led Purdue with 7.5 tackles for loss and placed third with 96 tackles, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten. Florida International transfer defensive back Mister Clark earned first-team All-Conference USA honors previously. Modozie, from Georgia, earned third-team All-AAC recognition with Army in 2024.

Coaching staff: The defense welcomed back Kevin Kane, who served as coordinator in 2023 and 2024. Kane brings extensive Big Ten background and aided Minnesota to eight wins last season as linebackers coach. Crabtree joins as offensive line coach after time under Boilers OC Josh Henson at USC.

66. Stanford Cardinal

Previous future power ranking: 68

QB situation: The position resets amid a coaching shift, with Ben Gulbranson and Elijah Brown off the roster. Michigan transfer Davis Warren, who started most of 2024, may earn the initial opportunity in his final year of eligibility. Dylan Rizk started three games at UCF before arriving but saw no action last fall. Stanford secured future stability via 2027 four-star commit Sione Tu'amoheloa-Kaho.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Both fronts require attention, though emphasis remains on building trench strength. The offensive line gained from the return of tackles Niki Prongos and Kahlil House, the only two who started every game in 2025. Harvard transfer Aidan Kilstrom adds support, yet depth remains a priority for offensive coordinator Terry Heffernan, whose expertise lies in line play. The defensive line skews young and will rely on tackles Zach Rowell and Braden Marceau-Olayinka plus end Omar Staples, all of whom can return in 2027.

Roster management: The Cardinal will likely need another full offseason under the new staff to stabilize the roster. Stanford recorded modest portal movement, adding six players including Warren, Kilstrom and Washington cornerback Leroy Bryant. No large exodus occurred like in 2025, though several offensive linemen left for Power 4 programs and cornerback Che Ojarikre joined Duke. High school recruiting improved with the nation's No. 30 class, featuring top-50 wide receiver Zion Robinson and three SC Next 300 prospects. Kaho's pledge anchors the 2027 group.

Star power: Linebacker Matt Rose returns as a defensive anchor, a second-team All-ACC pick who led with 106 tackles including eight for loss. Safety Jay Green also returns after leading in passes defended (8) and minutes played (631).

Coaching staff: Former Stanford quarterback and offensive coordinator Tavita Pritchard rejoined The Farm with general manager Andrew Luck after three years as Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach. Heffernan returns as coordinator, while Kris Richard rejoins college football on the West Coast as defensive coordinator. Brian Lindgren, recently with Michigan State, will coach the quarterbacks.

65. Kansas Jayhawks

Previous future power ranking: 50

QB outlook: The Jalon Daniels era concluded after six seasons in Lawrence that featured highlights alongside injury setbacks. Junior Cole Ballard, who waited behind Daniels, could earn the starting nod if he tops dual-threat Isaiah Marshall and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins, who started 12 games last season. Ballard owns 64 career pass attempts and 445 yards at KU.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Kansas targeted defensive line reinforcement after ranking 95th nationally against the run and added veteran transfers Tre'Von McAlpine (Tulane) and David Santiago (Michigan State) to complement end Leroy Harris III, who led in sacks with junior eligibility remaining, and junior tackle Blake Herold. Coach Lance Leipold remains optimistic about an offensive line returning left-side starters in juniors Calvin Clements and Amir Herring, plus transfers Connor Stroh (Texas), Kasen Carpenter (Oklahoma State) and Nick Morrow (Cal), all juniors. "One through 10 in our two-deep, our offensive line will surpass last year's group," Leipold stated.

Roster management: Kansas avoided a high-profile quarterback addition to replace Daniels and appears set with Ballard or Marshall. Other line-of-scrimmage needs were addressed via McAlpine, Santiago, Carpenter and Stroh. Offensive skill players include running back Dylan Edwards, a former top-150 recruit, plus Yasin Willis and receivers Nik McMillan and Nahzae Cox. Significant starting experience departed both sides, leaving questions about gap coverage. No blue-chip signees arrived in 2026 per ESPN Recruiting.