In College Football 25, Championship Contender measures how close your team is to competing for and winning a national championship. This grade reflects the team’s current ranking, roster strength, and overall competitiveness, making it a crucial factor in both recruiting and player development.
The Championship Contender grade gives a snapshot of your program’s proximity to competing for conference and national titles. It’s based on a combination of factors including your team’s ranking in the polls, roster talent, and overall program prestige. The Championship Contender grade plays a major role in how attractive your school is to top-tier recruits and transfer players who want to compete for championships.
At its core, this grade is designed to assess whether your team is built to win now or still in the rebuilding process. For example, a team filled with 4- and 5-star players, regularly ranked in the top 10, will have a higher Championship Contender grade compared to a mid-tier school that struggles to crack the top 25.
The Championship Contender grade is determined using several key metrics:
Your Championship Contender grade is critical in attracting top recruits and transfers. Players looking to win immediately, particularly the most sought-after 5-star recruits, are more likely to consider schools that are genuine title contenders. If your school consistently ranks high in the Championship Contender grade, it will be a powerful recruiting tool, signaling to players that they have the opportunity to compete for major titles during their collegiate career.
Conversely, if your team’s Championship Contender grade is low, you may have to sell recruits on the long-term vision of building toward a championship. This is especially true for programs in a rebuilding phase or those outside the Power 5 conferences. In these cases, emphasizing other strengths of your program, such as Playing Time or Brand Exposure, becomes essential to landing elite talent.
Keeping an eye on your Championship Contender grade throughout the season is crucial. Regularly competing against top teams, winning big games, and maintaining a strong roster will raise this grade. Dynamic, week-to-week updates mean that sudden losses or poor performances can quickly drop your contender status, while stringing together wins can propel your team closer to a national title.
To improve your Championship Contender grade:
Your Championship Contender grade is one of 14 total categories that make up the My School Grades system in College Football 25. These grades represent your program’s strengths and weaknesses across different areas, ranging from Playing Style and Pro Potential to Coach Prestige and Athletic Facilities. Each of these grades is interconnected, and improvements in one area can positively impact others.
For example, a high Championship Contender grade will likely improve your Pro Potential grade, as players on championship-caliber teams tend to receive more exposure and draft opportunities. Similarly, consistent success can boost your Coach Prestige and elevate your school’s overall Team Prestige.
The Championship Contender grade in College Football 25 is a critical measure of how close your team is to winning a national title. It influences recruiting, player morale, and the overall perception of your program. Whether you’re a powerhouse school or building toward greatness, understanding and improving your Championship Contender grade is essential to achieving long-term success. By winning key games, recruiting elite talent, and maintaining consistency, you can transform your team into a perennial title contender and cement your legacy in college football.