By: Reese Thompson & Ike Mendel
10/14/2025 at 4:45 PM
Welcome to the mid-season power ranking presented by Reese and Ike. Reese will be able to compare mid-season rankings to his preseason power rankings while Ike will provide a fresh perspective unburdened by preseason perceptions. Reese’s rankings will be listed first and include rank change, PF/PA, and the team that he had ranked in that spot preseason while Ike’s rankings will follow in italics and include the precentage of times the team makes the playoffs according to the Playoff Prophet™. If you like your ranking you can thank both Ike and Reese and if you disagree all complaints can be made out to Anton. As is true with all power rankings, please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results.
VFT, 4-2, (was AZA)
Rank Change: +3 PF: 826 PA: 717
Although VFT lost the head-to-head against AZA, they are a very consistent team having scored over 130 points in every game other than week 1. VFT has also weathered a decent number of points put up in opposition. What distinguishes this roster is the overall health and a bench that seems to improve each week. Injuries at WR could derail the season, but otherwise VFT looks to be a real contender.
CAP, 4-2
Playoffs: 76.3%
The Pansies are in prime position to contend for a championship. Signature wins over pre-season favorite Arizona and conference rival Texas give them a strong case for the top spot. These victories could prove crucial for seeding. Despite early losses to Oklahoma and Michigan (Week 1 is always unpredictable and Michigan is no pushover) this team leads in quality wins and performance. They’ll need to continue outshining other elite Coastal teams to stay on top.
AZA , 4-2 (was CAP)
Rank Change: -1 PF: 892 PA: 685
AZA probably still has the most terrifying roster to go up against each week - evident in Anton holding the highest PF in the league. A couple of tough losses and injuries that continue to stack up make way for VFT to edge ahead with shifting momentum. If this roster can stay competitive while getting healthy, AZA will remain the team to beat in the playoffs. Unfortunately, a bit of excess volatility and injuries add a bit of risk into the equation.
VFT, 4-2
Playoffs: 70.6%
Vermont is enjoying their best season yet, and it’s no fluke. With zero weeks below 100 points and impressive depth, led by Cam Skattebo and Rico Dowdle, this former sleeper is wide awake. On paper, they’re a playoff lock. Only a low-scoring week (like their 111-point Week 1) or a massive 180-point outburst from a powerhouse like Arizona—where Vermont still scored 150+—could derail them. I’m a believer in Aidan’s squad.
CAP, 4-2, (was SD)
Rank Change: -1 PF: 810 PA: 668
After a slow start to the year from the presumed strength of this team at WR, CAP finally seems to be catching stride and becoming a dangerous weekly matchup. Consistency over the coming weeks will be indicative of how strong of a contender this roster is. A pair of moves to shore up the RB position give this roster higher odds of being competitive down the stretch.
AZA, 4-2
Playoffs: 95.0%
Anton’s team is the league’s best on paper, boasting elite running backs, a young stud receiver, and an MVP-caliber QB. Injuries are their only hurdle, but this roster is built to weather the storm. Despite some bad luck with matchups, their points-for total suggests they’ll be at the dance come Week 14. They’d be No. 1 if not for the loss to California and injury concerns.
DUCK, 4-2 (was VFT)
Rank Change: +4 PF: 753 PA: 724
The top (power ranking) team in the Central Division - DUCK has been a surprising competitor led by a resurgence from RBs Javonte Williams and Travis Etienne. Odunze has also offered the nuclear spark at WR to win a week single handedly. Although a bit thin at WR, DUCK has proven through weathering some strong PA that they may just have enough depth to be a top team out of Central.
TXTF, 4-2
Playoffs: 71.9%
Texas has faced a brutal schedule, taking on three 4-2 teams, yet they’ve beaten the opponents they needed to and pulled off upsets against stronger squads. With a lighter schedule ahead and savvy waiver wire moves, their playoff chances are excellent. However, as the second-lowest scoring 4-2 team, they’ll need to boost their output to secure a top seed.
TXTF, 4-2 (was TXTF)
Rank Change: +0 PF: 734 PA: 680
It seems like every week TXTF has multiple players explode for way more points than they were projected. Early injuries are costing the Two Fawns depth, but they have managed to keep winning nonetheless. As this roster gets back to full health, they deserve to maintain their position as a strong playoff team.
DUCK, 4-2
Playoffs: 56.9%
It pains me to rank the Geoducks above my own team (I nearly dropped them to 15th to fuel the rivalry…I’m winning Week 13, even if it tanks my lottery odds). But credit where it’s due: Zach’s squad is solid, with a win over a decent Virginia team (stat correction aside) but a loss to Wilson in Week 4. Losing Tyreek Hill could be a fatal blow, though.
VIR, 3-3 (was VIR)
Rank Change: +0 PF: 764 PA: 740
Depth at WR continues to be the bane of this roster, although thus far VIR has managed to catch some big games from deep bench players. With QB and RB on lock, VIR looks to be competitive as they push further onto the season. Strong competition and losing a series of close games has changed the storyline this year for the fourth highest scoring roster
MI, 4-2
Playoffs: 47.5%
Michigan is off to a hot start, powered by a young core of Wilson, Egbuka, and McMillan. Smart waiver claims and a solid bench bolster their outlook. With weaker competition in the Central Conference, they have a great shot at the playoffs or even the conference crown in their debut season. Loaded with young stud receivers and draft capital, they’re a year ahead of schedule.
SD, 3-3 (was WISC)
Rank Change: -4 PF: 729 PA: 732
Similarly to VIR, SD has been cannibalized by close games and strong competition in an otherwise good season thus far. Out of the weak Central Division the Bighorns look to stay in the race for the playoffs. Overexposure to the eagles, high volatility at WR, and inopportune injuries put SD in a difficult position early but they have shown that they can still score enough to win most weeks. Favorable matchups in the upcoming weeks may change the trajectory of the season.
SD, 3-3
Playoffs: 69.4%
Ike’s team has the best depth among .500 and below squads. They could rack up wins during bye weeks against teams with weaker benches. However, sitting at .500 in a year they expected to contend is surprising. If their slide continues, it may be time to trade high-value RB assets to contenders and start rebuilding instead of being stuck in the middle.
IOWA, 5-1 (was DUCK)
Rank Change: +2 PF: 631 PA: 621
Although ranked #1 on the season, IOWA has had the easiest time in the league with the lowest PA. Their first loss on the season came against CAP who was only the 2nd team this season to score over 100 points on IOWA, who themselves have only scored over 110 points twice. Mounting injuries and volatility at every position not filled by George Pickens drops IOWA down from where they are ranked, although they see a step forward from where they started the season in the power rankings.
IOWA, 5-1
Playoffs: 76.3%
Iowa’s best season ever started with a 5-0 run, securing their most wins in a single season before the halfway mark. But they might be the most fraudulent 5-1 team in ACL history. They’ve had only one standout week (142 points against the Bighorns) and haven’t faced many Coastal Conference teams, which could disrupt their momentum. Still, they’re nearly a lock for the playoffs, though I doubt they’ll crack 1400 total points this season.
MI, 4-2 (was MAR)
Rank Change: +4 PF: 682 PA: 712
It is a little too much to rely on garbage time Jets to bail you out every week - although it has worked a few times this season. MI sees a nice step forward from where they were projected to be preseason. Only 2 losses with the PF/PA ratio MI is sporting is impressive and indicates a solid overall roster. Lack of depth and high volatility at every position make it hard to see how MI makes a push for the playoffs but they are a dangerous and feisty team to play each week and have shown they are making steps to compete in the future.
VIR, 3-3
Playoffs: 47.5%
Back-to-back close losses have stung the Heifers, but their strong QB, Josh Allen, keeps them competitive. They’re missing stud receivers, and while DJ Moore could turn things around, their depth pieces need to step up. Without improvement, they risk being the first team out of the playoffs.
WISC, 1-5 (was IOWA)
Rank Change: -3 PF: 711 PA: 740
With absolutely no depth at RB behind Kyren following the Bigsby trade to a crowded Philadelphia backfield, WISC lacks the firepower to be competitive for the playoffs. Overall, this roster is young and underappreciated players Olave and Dak have shown that they are still relevant. WISC can put up enough points any week to make their competitors sweat (top-half in the league for PF) and I believe their matchups will allow for a couple more wins, especially with the return of Rashee Rice for the red-hot Mahomes.
MAR, 2-4
Playoffs: 8.8%
Josh expected a rebuilding year, but averaging 117 points per week suggests they’re closer to contention than anticipated. Anchored by Patrick Mahomes, they’re just a few pieces away from a playoff push. Their high floor is undermined by struggles against teams above .500, and while they’ll win more games, a second title seems unlikely.
MAR, 2-4 (was MN)
Rank Change: -2 PF: 706 PA: 690
The Marines are seemingly stuck in the Mahomes/Kelce universe, although that has not been the performance issue on this roster. Incredibly high volatility and no startable RBs after the injury to Chuba Hubbard make it difficult to see how this aging roster can make it to the playoffs. It may be worth stripping this roster down to its core players for the future and start the rebuild.
WISC, 1-5
Playoffs: 8.8%
Noah’s team isn’t as bad as their 1-5 record suggests. With the third-most points in the Central Conference, they’re likely victims of a brutal schedule. Their high-variance output (three weeks under 105, three above 135) makes them a potential spoiler late in the season. Bye-week depth issues could be a concern, though.
SIR, 2-4 (was OKO)
Rank Change: +2 PF: 572 PA: 745
The Jolly Good Sirs have not been very good at scoring points this year. In fact, they have been dismal. A couple of wins with a young roster is enough to move up the power rankings a couple of spots, and I think there may be a couple more winnable games yet this season. Unfortunately, this roster has proven to have a low ceiling for this year and an exceptionally low floor having scored under 85 points in 50% of games this season. Injuries to SIRs players and his players starting QBs lead me to believe that as some health returns this roster is better than the last two on this list.
OKO, 1-5
Playoffs: 3.1%
The Outlaws’ Week 1 upset over the Pansies feels like ancient history. Injuries have decimated PJ’s roster, with eight players out or worse, making it tough to field a competitive lineup. A healthy Lamar Jackson could spark a climb, but with fierce Coastal Conference competition, this inaugural season seems lottery-bound.
OKO, 1-5 (was MI)
Rank Change: -1 PF: 611 PA: 773
Injuries exposed the lack of depth the Outlaws had on their roster. Although facing some of the most brutal PA in the league, OKO has not put up enough points to be competitive with any other schedule other than IOWA’s (would be an interesting case study to see what each team's record would be if they had the same starting schedule as IOWA). Getting Lamar back should boost Henry, although Darnold has been playing well at QB. It is a heavy reliance on rookie RJ Harvey and the injuries to McLaurin, Mitchell, and Mooney that has sealed the fate of the Outlaws to be a bottom feeder this year.
MN, 1-5
Playoffs: 1.3%
Once a playoff staple, Minnesota is in a rebuilding year. Conference realignment may play a role, but their last-place points-for total tells the real story. With an underperforming roster and a bare bench, playoff hopes are slim. Isaiah should focus on waiver wire pickups for trades and securing high draft capital for 2027.
MN, 1-5 (was SIR)
Rank Change: -3 PF: 603 PA: 796
MN has gotten brutalized by the worst matchups all season, although the Fighting Squirrels have not put up much of a fight this year either. Having scored under 100 points in 4/6 games, they have not even been competitive with their competitors. Any team with Jefferson is dangerous on a weekly basis, but the lack of a reliable WR2 or RB2 behind Kamara makes it difficult to see how MN could win more than 3 games this entire season. It may be time to start retooling ahead of next offseason.
SIR, 2-4
Playoffs: 3.1%
Ohio is in a tough spot with their star rookie RB on IR and no backups to fill the gap. Wilson needs a trade to stay competitive. Back-to-back winnable weeks without a full lineup ended in losses. Until they regroup and begin filling their starting line up, this roster isn’t a serious threat.