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Robert Griffin III Names His No. 1 Team 'On The Rise'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Nov 13, 2024 3:18 PM ET

The 2024-2025 college football season is careening toward its inevitable finish with rivalry games on tap over the next few weeks and conference championship games soon to follow.

This year's season has been one of upsets and upstart teams, some of whom have persevered to become among the best in the nation.

One of them is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who suffered a loss to Northern Illinois early in the season but have recovered, surging to an 8-1 record on the season.

The Irish are one of five teams named by former Baylor Bears Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III as a "Top Five Team On The Rise" Wednesday, along with four other well known programs that have been seen as sleeping giants in recent years.

RGIII's list is as follows:

5. Ole Miss Rebels-

Forecasts of doom and gloom followed coach Lane Kiffin's team around since star running back Quinshon Judkins transferred to Ohio State this offseason.

The Rebels have persevered behind quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has quietly put together a borderline Heisman caliber season with over 3,400 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes and over 300 yards rushing for the 8-2 Rebels.

4. BYU Cougars-

The Cougars have recovered from a 5-7 season to go 9-0 this year behind the play of quarterback Jake Retzlaff, and a running back-by-committee approach led by LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati in the backfield.

3. Army Black Knights-

The Black Knights have followed a familiar game plan en route to a 9-0 start on the season. They've thrown for less than 800 yards and run for over 3,000.

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish-

Duke transfer Riley Leonard leads the Irish in both passing and rushing. Coach Marcus Freeman's team has always had the talent, not the question is whether the Irish can get over the hump and win the biggest games, something they weren't able to do during Brian Kelly's regime.

1. Colorado Buffaloes-

Coach Deion Sanders' team is 7-2 on the season, second place in the Big 12 after their shift from the Pac-12 this past offseason.

Their two losses have come to Matt Rhule's Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Nebraska by a score of 28-10 and to Chris Klieman's Kansas State Wildcats by a score of 31-28 in Boulder one month and one day ago.

The Buffs aren't the most complete team in college football by any stretch of the imagination, but star players including Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter give them a chance to put the finishing touches on a comeback season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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