This isn't your average college football ranking.

My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it's my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list:

Who do I think is good?

Why do I think they're good?

What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations?

Here is a look at where Northern Illinois lands in my Ultimate 136.

NIU ranking: 106

Last year’s ranking: 95

Top player : CB Jacob Finely : Has played in 30 games with 13 starts in three seasons for NIU, recording 8 pass breakups (tied for most on the team).

[ Northern Illinois' 2025 schedule ]

RJ's take: Thomas Hammock’s Huskies went into Not

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