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 Troy lands in my Ultimate 136.

Troy ranking: 89
Last year’s ranking: 50
Top player: S Devin Lafayette: In five collegiate seasons, has totaled 175 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions; had 10 QB pressures as a hybrid safety/linebacker for Troy last season.

[Troy’s 2025 schedule]

RJ’s take: Quarterback Goose Crowder has at least one wideout I trust to make plays in former Georgia receiver Rara Thomas. Given a chance, there’s a quality duo out there for Gerald Parker’s Trojans. But after winning back-to-back Sun Belt titles in 2022 and 2023, Troy might be entering a lull after a portal raid that has left Parker with a bunch of talented but unproven transfers of his own. 

Here’s hoping a tandem of former SEC safeties in Steven Sannieniola (Vanderbilt) and David Daniel-Sisavanh (Georgia) can help keep a lid on the end zone.

[Check out RJ Young’s Ultimate 136 College Football Rankings here]

Troy Trojans Win Total Odds: Over 5.5 (-118) Under 5.5 (-104)

Have an issue with my rankings? Think your alma mater is too low, or your school’s rival is too high? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young, and I’ll select my favorite tweets and respond to them in a future article.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young.

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