NDL Media Draft
Article By: NDL Media Team Draft
How this works. The 13 media members partaking will be selecting two Power 4 schools and two Group of 5 schools.
For each regular season win a team gets they will get a point. If your Group of 5 team beats a Power 4 team you get a point. Reaching the conference championship you get 1 point, and you get 2 points for winning it.
Notre Dame and Washington State were classified as P4 schools for the sake of this.
The majority of this was written before the block opened so take some of this with a grain of salt as some games have started to get played.
I had originally asked people for their reasons why they made their picks but when I was away from the draft chat for a bit I missed a lot and resorted back to just the draft board.
Random draft order
1. Petty
2. Phoney
3. Xliq
4. Sammy
5. Joker
6. Andy
7. IRoccafella
8. FSUPenguin
9. Vic
10. MBerokoff
11. Niddler
12. Smitty
13. Phreakk
1.1 Petty - Oregon (Shel311) 11.5 win goal
It is hard to disagree. He was undefeated last year and doesn’t have too much of a different road this year. The easy out of conference schedule makes the pick even easier. Was my personal first overall team as well.
1.2 Phoney - Liberty (mtwasik)10.5 win goal
This is a clear cut best rated team in a bad conference. There is Sam Houston State and Vic lurking though. I would have gone with CMU.
1.3 Xliq - Central Michigan (FiredUpChip) 5 win goal
“Chip is a proven coach in this league and was on the verge of making the CFP last year, third year with the team...the third year Wonder Chip!” Xliq
This was my top Group of 5 team on the board. He got a lighter schedule and rolled through most of the season last year.
1.4 Sammy - North Carolina (PacksyD) 7 win goal
“Very solid coach with a favorable path to the ACC title game. I expect him to get there and be in the running for a CFP bid.” - Sammy
He was up there for me as well. The conference schedule dodges a lot of the higher end teams. Should be a lock for 10 wins.
1.5 Joker - Texas (Jiggy Jrod) 11 win goal
Hard to argue with arguably the best coach in the league taking one of the best teams over. The conference is brutal but hard to argue with the pick.
1.6 Andy - Utah
Taking my conference rival and top opponent first. He dodges, in my opinion, some of the better teams in our conference. No Steam, no Kansas State, or Wildes with Tech. I see at a minimum 10 wins with a very likely 11 and possibly 12-0 season. Should be a shoe in for the conference title game.
1.7 IRoccafella - LSU (bucknut333) 9 win goal
Hard to argue with taking the defending national champion with the 7th pick. The conference is tough but he went undefeated last year in a tough conference.
1.8 FSUPENGUIN - Clemson (Eljefebigrump) 11.5 win goal
Going back this was one I definitely forgot about when making my pick and would have selected him with mine had I remembered.The conference might be better but he lost the biggest rival in Louisville.
1.9 Vic - Georgia (dcane7) 10.5 win goal
This is the first pick that I kind of look at with a worried face. He has been great the past few years but that schedule is just absolutely brutal. He can pull it off, but it wont be easy.
1.10 MBerokoff - Alabama (Dcanady1) 11.5 win goal
Roll Tide. Dcanady just got even more weapons than he had at Colorado AND he has an amazing defense now? As with all the other SEC teams the road to 10 plus wins won’t be easy. But with the likes of the top dogs, it does seem like 10 wins is safe.
1.11 Niddler - Notre Dame (ReignOnU) 10 win goal
The block 1 game against Goergia looms large. He also has some possible road bumps with Louisville, USC, and Kentucky among others. But overall the schedule looks pretty on paper for a CFP resume, and not scary like some of the teams taken ahead of him.
1.12 Smitty - Ole Miss (Smitty229) 10 win goal
The first drafter to select themselves, and after his showing against Oregon in the scrimmage appears warranted. In his 3 years he is 36-7 with the losses only coming against top end teams. The bad news though, he gets a lot of those top end teams in season.
1.13 Phreakk - James Madison (jasonuk) 7.5 win goal
I like the pick, if we are talking in conference. The issue is that Ohio State game in week 4. I dont see him winning that one. Throw in a tough game against NC State, and I am high on Old Dominion after a good early showing.
2.1 Phreakk - San Diego State (BigZZ916) 5.5 win goal
24-4 in the last two season with San Diego State with two conference championships. It is hard to argue with the pick. Draft strategy wise I probably would have taken a P4 and G5 because now he is boxed into a corner with his next 2 picks. But, San Diego State also scheduled some tough non conference games. Heading to Miami and hosting West Virginia. He also has Boise State and Washington State on the schedule. Harder road for a G5 team than I would want to take.
2.2 Smitty - Colorado (Andy) 8.5 win goal
Eleventh power 4 team off the board, I’ll take it. I might worry myself more than I need to. I see certain games on my schedule as “could lose” type games and when I look at someone else’s from the outside view I see them as wins. Kansas State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Utah are all coaches I have at one point or another lost to in scrimmages. Steam and Cincy has a big reputation. But, I do think I should be “favored” however you want to take that in every game except against Utah.
2.3 Niddler - Tennessee (VegasXii) 5 win goal
Our sixth SEC team off the board in the first 16 picks. He has to play Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, among others and he also threw the Heisman winner on the schedule in week 2. That being said, he is 36-9 combined with the likes of Bowling Green, Baylor, and Tennessee.
2.4 Sammy - USF (Jokers78) 4.5 win goal
The third media member off the board. The good coaches with good teams in a G5 seem safe bets to me. Joker is coming off a 12-0 regular season before dropping the conference title game and now takes over a significantly better team.
2.5 MBerokoff - USC (TexaNole) 5.5 win goal
Coming off just missing the playoff last year heading to arguably a tougher conference. The playmakers are there. And he dies didge both Oregon and Ohio State.
2.6 FSUPenguin - Charlotte (icrashedmycarr) 2 win goal
The first new guy off the board. A big win in Beefy coupled with playing Utah down to the wire got some eyes on the new coach. The non conference schedule isn't too bad either with Rutgers and CSU, but you see Missouri poking its head out in week 7.
2.7 IRoccafella - Ohio State (seeitsaveit13) 11.5 win goal
Best overall team in the Big 10 but struggled a little last year. Should be able to still find his way to 10 plus wins and a shot at a conference title.
2.8 Andy - Old Dominion (PirateFlag 23) 2 win goal
This might be the shocker, but new guy number 2 off the board. Seems to be rolling in scrimmages and Beefy. But as with any new coach. Lets hope those coach reports are solid and he plays the NDL way. But hey Southern Miss was 12-0 before he got the boot last year.
2.9 Petty - Sam Houston State (Vic) 7.5 win goal
I was between this and ODU for my pick, but Liberty scares me more than anyone in the Sun Belt. And he has a tough non conference game with Iowa State early.
2.10 Sammy - Washington State (xLiQx) 7.5 win goal
That schedule looks pretty easy for someone who won 10 games last year. The highlights being Boise State and Washington. I could easily see him run the table and wish I would have looked at his schedule more before I made my picks.
2.11 Xliq - Louisville (srgtzt) 9.5 win goal
I was hoping I could get Louisville coming back with my 3rd pick. He took TCU to the CFP last year and has a better team this year. The schedule isn't easy, but it isn’t an SEC level one.
2.12 Phoney - Boise State (iRoccafella)10 win goal
Arguably the best player in Jeanty for another year. My issue with him is that is a tough schedule. I see borderline auto losses in Tennessee and Penn State. Then tough games with Washington State and Florida State.
2.13 Petty - Tulane (ssi7698) 9 win goal
Fell pretty far for the players and abilities on the roster in a G5 conference. He does have a couple possibly testy non conference games with Nebraska, Washington, Wake Forest and then the really tough one with Texas A&M.
3.1 Petty - Iowa (Big_red1300) 8.5 win goal
Similar to me, a season 31 coach who came in and caught some eyes. I think he went to a little tougher of a conference. Texas in week 1 almost makes it feel like his max is 11 games, but he could shock the world. Ohio State will be a tough win too. Not that he had the best receiver group at Georgia Southern, but here they aren’t good and he has to play significantly better secondaries. I also think to myself “I can make most things work” on offense but it will definitely be a battle.
3.2 Phoney - Florida (BIGmike) 3 win goal
The metrics loved the Gators last year despite only winning 8 games in the regular season. While he faces the same teams this year, the coaches on those teams are better. Getting a Smitty led Ole Miss and a Jiggy led Texas to go with Vegas at Tennessee, Bucknut at LSU and Dcane at Georgia. I say all this and you can also find “easier” games like Miami, Virginia Tech, Florida State. His schedule is a gauntlet.
3.3 Xliq - Missouri (Mjkemp15) 9 win goal
Lots of talk about him having the easy SEC road to the title game. Nothing out of conference and he dodges Texas and LSU. He does have Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina in a row that will all be tough games.
3.4 Sammy - Connecticut (driccio21) 4 win goal
The schedule is solid but has no “o no that's probably an auto loss” games on it. But the win goal is just 4. He has been 23-3 with Connecticut in CFB 25 and could easily produce another 10 win season.
3.5 Joker - Cincinnati (Steamrollr22) 5 win goal
I don’t know a ton about Steam but everyone keeps telling me to watch out for that game. He dodged Utah in conference and his non conference games while competitive aren’t 90 overall teams. The drop from Texas to Cincinnati talent wise will likely be noticeable.
3.6 Andy - Miami (dealer4014) 11.5 win goal
I saw the Power 4 teams with 10 win and conference title chances disappearing and had a handful of G5 teams I could still see going 10-2 or even undefeated so I chose to get my second Power 4 team. That being said, I did see that Texas Tech game but Ill still take him. The non conference scheduled games of Bowling Green, Toledo, and San Diego State aren't overly scary. He has the rivalry game with Louisville in block 1. Petty still has the inside track in my opinion to get the non Clemson ACC title spot from him with the easier schedule, but I think he can get there.
3.7 IRoccafella - Memphis (ShadyNasty) 9.5 win goal
If I didn’t pick Miami it would have been Memphis. I think he can go undefeated and challenge for a CFP spot. The American has some good coaches and some other good teams, but this is a 9.5 win goal team. Meaning he should be rolling and favored in most games.
3.8 FSUPENGUIN - Marshall (Sgt Linhus330) 8 win goal
Nice cushy schedule for a Sun Belt team, but the non conference isn’t a cakewalk. Challenges with Memphis, Washington State and Michigan State early.
3.9 Vic - ECU (Razorback44) 2.5 win goal
Petty almost took this team to the CFP last year, but Razorback did not make repeating that easy with games against Arizona State, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and SMU in non conference.
3.10 MBerokoff - Nebraska (MGR) 7 win goal
A down season 31, Nebraska hopes to turn things around and MBerokoff is a believer, or he couldn't think of anyone else to pick at this point.
3.11 Niddler - Toledo (outlaw) 9 win goal
Niddler taking someone he likely knows a bit as Outlaw was in his conference last year. Toledo is a very good overall team for the MAC and should do well.
3.12 Smitty - Tulsa (Texasfan4444) 2 win goal
Not to crazy of a non conference schedule. His late seasons schedule is really where he needs prove himself as he has arguably his 2 hardest games in that final block.
3.13 Phreakk - Penn State (Niddeler) 10 win goal
Niddler dodges Oregon and the one big game is Ohio State but there are some other possible speed bumps there.
4.1 Phreakk - West Virginia (Mallen365) 7 win goal
He does manage to dodge Colorado and Utah in conference play but he countered that with Texas in non conference play. Overall could be a sneaky 10 win team if he wins all his coin flip type games.
4.2 Smitty - Bowling Green (Kegr8er) 1.5 win goal
Honestly don’t like this pick because of the non conference schedule. The max here is 10 games. Throw in Central Michigan as a tough game as well.
4.3 Niddler - Louisiana (Ninganano98) 4 win goal
Gave himself a chance for a couple league shaking upsets in Arkansas and LSU, but I don’t see those wins coming. Coming off a 4-8 season in the Big 10 he does get to drop down to the Sun Belt and possibly lower competition.
4.4 MBerokoff - New Mexico (bearass) 2.5 win goal
Coming off a 7-6 season and staying at the same school. The Mountain West is seemingly always a competitive conference so maybe he can swing a few more in his favor this year.
4.5 Vic - App State (Old Ky Shark) 5.5 win goal
The Syracuse game gives him a chance for a Power 4 win later in the year. Overall in CFB 25 it has been a tough road, just winning 10 games in 3 seasons.
4.6 FSUPENGUIN - Oklahoma (Thatdude15) 8.5
The best user, probably, to go in this final round. Coming off a big season with UNC he upgraded to a better team in a much tougher conference. Games against Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, Missouri, Alabama, and LSU among others. Tough road.
4.7 IRoccafella - Arkansas State (footballkelly31) 3.5 win goal
Writing this one Monday morning we have an early look at a potential steal. A 1-0 start and the win coming against a Power 4 team.
4.8 Andy - Southern Miss (Jwilly37) 2.5 win goal
Insider info with this new user pick. I played him in a scrimmage and he was pretty good using Southern Miss. I can see him getting to the conference title game and possibly even winning it.
4.9 Joker - Middle Tennessee (Maverick04) 4.5 win goal
This could be a really nice pick. Only his second year after going 6-7 with Illinois last year he gets to drop down to a lesser conference and take a team where he isn't going to be a massive underdog weekly.
4.10 Sammy - Rice (BossRange101r) 6 win goal
Not to much to fear on his schedule non conference wise. He gets Houston as a rivalry that he could take for a Power 4 bonus win.
4.11 Xliq - Jax State (Lsumavsman) 6.5 win goal
New user he must have some inside info or he just threw a dart.
4.12 Phoney - Indiana (Phoneybadge1) 6.5 win goal
Took himself with the last pick and almost immediately made us all look bad. But a 1-1 opening block with a team that most probably didn't expect to be a 9 plus win team is a solid start.
4.13 Petty - Coastal Carolina (JBK) 3.5 win goal
Coming off a tough season with Georgia Tech he heads to the Sun Belt. Has likely tough games against ODU, JMU, abd Rice to go with likely an auto loss against Clemson
HOME
Live
Discord